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Home: Who We Are

ARTBANK Interns Season 2 Summer 2025

"Do you believe in the power of creativity?

The joy of a shared experience? The magic of bringing art to life?"

"The McCook Arts Council is dedicated to fostering a vibrant artistic community in Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas.

The McCook Arts Council supports initiatives like the McCook Mural Project, performances at the historic Fox Theatre, workshops at the McCook Art Guild, and ArtBank!"

Partners in Art

SNAC, Artbank, 6th Floor Project, McCook Art Guild, Fox Theatre

Arts Grants Available

Community art is important because it fosters a sense of belonging, promotes social interaction, and enhances community well-being.

Community art projects bring people together, transcending differences in age, race, or background.

McCook Arts Council encourages anyone with a vision to accomplish the above stated goals request a grant.

Grant Application

Art Council Board

The Art Council is

President

Kevin Cochran

Kevin Cochran joined McCook Arts Council with the vision and drive to improve upon our Arts Organization, and focused on developing the organization. He is a brewer at the Loop Brewery in McCook as well as devoted to the local drama and theatre groups in the area.

Vice President

Anna LaBay

Anna LaBay is a writer, journalist, and community storyteller who founded McCook News Now to keep residents informed about local news, civic events, and the people who make McCook unique. She joined the McCook Arts Council in 2025 and currently serves as Vice President. Anna is passionate about supporting the creative community and believes the arts have the power to connect, inspire, and strengthen small towns like McCook

Treasurer

Lucas Kotschwar

Lucas is a farmer, mail carrier, and artist living in

McCook. He enjoys practicing art, live music, working out, and chillin' with his dog.

Secretary

Cassandra Pfiefer PhD

Cassandra (Cassie) Pfeifer is an educator, writer, and folklorist who teaches English at McCook Community College. She joined the McCook Arts Council in 2023 and became the MAC secretary in 2024. Her passion lies with folklore and creative writing, but she loves exploring all the artistic opportunities available in McCook. She loves working with the arts council to foster opportunities that allow McCook to grow in its artistic vision and looks forward to seeing how McCook develops as a hub for the arts.

Member

Matt Sehnert

Along with owning a bakery. Matt has a passion for the arts and believes art builds humans from the inside out.

Member

Linda Buck

Linda spent the first half of her life cultivating business skills with gifts of analyzing data and writing procedure documents. Her second act in life is dedicated to manifesting a haute couture lifestyle. She considers herself a student of life, finding beauty in southwest Nebraska and spends time bird watching and star gazing. She is a dabbler in paint, poetry, and prose. She may not sing but you might find her doing interpretive dance at one of your poetry readings.

Member

Lydia Risenhoover

Lydia Risenhoover is an aspiring artist and the owner of a face painting business, where she blends creativity and connection. She joined the McCook Arts Council in 2025. She is a firm believer in the power of art to bring people from all walks of life together, creating shared moments of joy and imagination.

Member

Barbie Long

Thank you all for this opportunity to be a part of the McCook Arts Council...it is an honor and a pleasure to work with some of you again and get to know those I haven't met personally...art in all forms is a passion of mine...as some of you know music is important to me as well as my son being a part of the Artbank/mural projects. For those who don't know, I originally went to school for secondary English, speech, and drama education.

Member

Will Branham

Marketing and Communications Coordinator of the McCook Creative District.

MAKE A DONATION

Want to join our efforts but not sure where to start? Make a Donation and take advantage of this incredible opportunity to lend your support. It’s a great way to contribute to our cause, and every little bit counts towards paving the path for a better tomorrow. This link is to aide in local art programs such as the Community Mural Project.

Connecting Artists,
Enriching Community.

SNAC, Artbank, 6th Floor Project, McCook Art Guild, Fox Theatre

Arts Grants Available

Art Council Board

MAKE A DONATION

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