Kennedy Center president Michael Kaiser will host a community conversation 9 to 11:30 a.m. May 5 at the Lied Center for Performing Arts. The discussion as part of the national tour “Arts in Crisis: A Kennedy Center Initiative.”

Kaiser will address the challenges facing many nonprofit arts organizations in the areas of fund raising, building effective boards, budgeting and marketing. Designed by Kaiser and Kennedy Center staff, “Arts in Crisis” was initiated in February 2009 to provide free mentoring to arts groups large and small looking to successfully navigate through the current economic crisis.

Since the initiative’s launch, the Kennedy Center has hosted more than 45 symposia and arts community conversations in diverse cities and communities across the country.

“Each locality is dealing with its unique and specific challenges, and there is no better way to understand each region than through in-person visits,” Kaiser said. “Communicating in person allows us to be more effective in advising organizations in need.”

The Nebraska tour activities include a meet-and-greet session 9-9:45 a.m. with the community conversation beginning at 10. William Stibor of NET Radio will serves as interviewer and host.

Admission is free and members of arts organizations across Nebraska are invited to attend.

For more information, go to www.artsincrisis.org or call (402) 434-2787.