Raising the Tide Since 2010
MISSION
VISION
CORE VALUES
WHAT MAKES US … US
Celebrate Others
Honor Relationships
Make It Fun
Raise the Tide
People First
Dream Differently
Solutions Not Problems
Andrew Norman and Mike Smith’s friendship begins in rural Nebraska, bonded by a shared love for punk rock, skateboarding, and indie media. This passion later drives them to make a community impact — Smith as a youth worker, speaker and brand ambassador, and Norman as a journalist, copywriter and marketer.
1997
2010
Smith founds Bay 198 (later The Bay), a nonprofit indoor skatepark, located in Lincoln’s Gateway Mall, providing a safe space for local youth. Norman and his wife, Angie, co-found Hear Nebraska, a nonprofit publication aimed at fostering Nebraska’s music community and industry.
Hear Nebraska produces its first compilation of all-Nebraska musical artists.
2011
2012
The Bay relocates to a 20,000-square-foot warehouse, at 2005 Y St. in Lincoln, Neb., opening Nebraska’s largest indoor skatepark.
Hear Nebraska launches the Good Living Tour, a rural concert series uniting communities through music.
2015
2016
The Bay expands with a coffee bar, all-ages music venue, and resource center. Hear Nebraska debuts the weekly Hear Grand Island concert series and begins operating the Lincoln Calling Music Festival.
The Bay sponsors Hear Nebraska’s Lincoln Calling Music Festival, featuring headliner Charli XCX.
2017
2018
Smith and Norman merge their efforts, combining The Bay and Hear Nebraska under the new nonprofit, Rabble Mill, with a joint board of directors.
Hear Nebraska goes on hiatus, having produced 4,300 stories, 30,000 photos and 315 videos telling Nebraska’s music story. Its 290 events in 30+ Nebraska towns injected $200,000 to 400 artists, and $150,000 to production companies.
2019
2022
In partnership with Lincoln Public Schools, Rabble Mill launches Bay High – a focus program for creative, entrepreneurial-minded juniors and seniors.
Rabble Mill introduces Gap Year, an 8-month career and skills accelerator for young adults ages 18-24.
2023
2024
Rabble Mill partners with Omaha Parks and Recreation to renovate Benson Community Center, establishing community-focused programs in skateboarding, music, fashion, and gaming — offering Omaha youth opportunities similar to those at The Bay in Lincoln.
With expansion into Omaha, Rabble Mill adopts The Bay as its official name organization-wide.
2025
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
FRIEND OF TOURISM AWARD [HEAR NEBRASKA]
NEBRASKA TOURISM COMMISSION, 2012
HUMAN SERVICE ORGANIZATION AWARD
LINCOLN HOMELESS COALITION, 2015
LINCOLN SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
LINCOLN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CELEBRATE BUSINESS AWARDS, 2020
LINCOLN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION’S ART FOR KIDS AWARD
MAYOR’S ARTS AWARDS, 2021
OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY PARTNER
CIVIC NEBRASKA’S STRENGTHENING DEMOCRACY AWARDS, 2021
CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN VIRTUAL LEARNING
BEYOND SCHOOL BELLS, 2021
NEBRASKA INNOVATOR AWARD
BEYOND SCHOOL BELLS, 2022
STELLAR PIONEER AWARD
STAR CITY PRIDE, 2022
LARRY ENERSEN URBAN DESIGN AWARD
MAYOR’S ARTS AWARDS, 2022
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO BUSINESS EDUCATION BY AN ORGANIZATION AWARD
NEBRASKA STATE BUSINESS EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, 2023
OUR TEAM
OUR BOARD
