Fine Arts Exchange

African Culture Connection (ACC) offers educational programs and performances led by professional artists, including master dancers, drummers, and storytellers from the United States and abroad. ACC is the only program in Nebraska recognized nationally for its contribution to youth arts and humanities.

For more information contact:
Charles Ahovissi
Lisa Jackson

African Culture Connection
8031 W. Center Road, Suite 207
Omaha, NE 68124

The Bancroft Street Market is a flexible art space in an urban neighborhood on historic South 10th Street In Omaha. Programs vary depending on the organization or educational institution presenting at the space. Be sure to check out the murals on all four sides of the building. The display changes as artists paint new murals.

For more information, contact:
Bill Seidler, Jr., Manager

Bancroft Street Market
located at 10th & Bancroft Streets
mailing – 10050 Regency Circle #525
Omaha, NE 68114

Benson Theatre

Benson Theatre’s mission is to engage, enhance, and enrich the community through educational and artistic experiences. Benson Theatre is committed to be an inclusive, accessible space that is welcoming to everyone. The theatre’s organizational model allows wide collaboration and support of community partners allowing them to share their mission and work with Benson, North Omaha, and the broader Omaha community. Be sure to check out Benson Theatre’s event calendar for information about upcoming educational and artistic programs.

For more information contact:
Jason Levering, Program Director

Benson Theatre
6054 Maple St
Omaha, NE 68104

Bess Streeter Aldrich was one of Nebraska’s finest writers. In her short stories and novels, she chronicled the ups and downs of small town living in hopes that her readers would understand the hardships and struggles of the times, and also see the virtues and hopes of prairie times in the Midwest. Check out the free teacher resources, educational exhibits, and beautiful 1922 prairie mansion home and gardens of Nebraska Hall of Fame Author Bess Streeter Aldrich.

For more information, contact:
Kurk Shrader, Executive Director

Bess Streeter Aldrich Foundation
204 East F Street
Elmwood, NE 68349

BLIXT ARTS LAB is a nonprofit organization that produces new works for the theatre, inspired by true Nebraska stories. BLIXT ARTS LAB also runs an education incubator where they mentor university students to lead creative after-school clubs. Check out the website to get involved!

For more information contact:
Petra Wahlqvist, Co-founder & Executive Director

BLIXT ARTS LAB
2626 N 48th Street
Lincoln, NE 68504

Blue Cat features two-month exhibits by local, regional, and national artists. The mission of Blue Cat Gallery is to bring a wide variety of visual art to the Wayne, America, community and promote the value of a rich artistic and cultural life. Bring your students! Bring yourself! See art and make art at Blue Cat Gallery!

For more information, contact:
Carolyn Albracht, Owner/Director

Blue Cat Gallery and Studio
114 W 3rd Street
Wayne, NE 68787

The Calibraska Arts Initiative uses the arts to build community, culture, and inclusive educational exchanges between Nebraskans and California/Los Angeles-based professionals and students in the creative industries. Calibraska focuses on reaching rural and/or disadvantaged communities where access to technology, cultural institutions, professional mentorship, and resources to the creative industries is limited. Be sure to look for Calibraska’s summer programming that includes virtual workshops with Nickelodeon Animation!

For more information, contact:
Erica Larsen-Dockray, Founding Director and Teaching Artist
Alex Cole, Outreach Specialist

Calibraska Arts Initiative
1714 2nd Avenue
P.O. Box 2424
Scottsbluff, NE 69361

Carnegie Arts Center provides three main services: exhibition opportunities for professional and budding artists; arts education services in house and off site for all ages; and public arts programming including murals and collaborative community arts projects. Be sure to check out Carnegie Arts Center’s arts education program which boasts over 200 classes a year for ages 5- 100.

For more information contact:
Kyren Gibson, Executive Director

Carnegie Arts Center, Inc.
204 W 4th Street
Alliance, NE 69301

El Museo Latino is located in Omaha and is the only Latino art and history museum in Nebraska. Bilingual museum guided tours and programs are offered year-round. Visit El Museo Latino for a unique, ethnic museum and for a great cultural experience. Check out their website for current exhibits, programs, or reserve a time for you and your students. El Museo Latino is celebrating 31 years!

For more information, contact:
Silvia Wells, Director of Education

El Museo Latino
4701 South 25th Street
Omaha, NE 68107

Film Streams is a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to enhancing the cultural environment of the Omaha-Council Bluffs area through the presentation and discussion of film as an art form. The School to Screen program invites thousands of students into the theaters at Film Streams each year to engage critically with art and community. Look for the free film screenings at Film Streams where students can critically engage with film.

For more information, contact:
Paul Sanchez, Education Manager

Film Streams
1340 Mike Fahey St
Omaha, NE 68102

Gallery 1516 is non-profit organization in Omaha that supports and celebrates Nebraska and regional arts. Visit Gallery 1516 to enjoy visual art exhibitions, music performances, lectures, and other exciting events. Schedule a class visit to Gallery 1516!

For more information, contact:
Sara Bihlmaier, Deputy Director

Gallery 1516
1516 Leavenworth Street
Omaha, NE 68102

In keeping with the research, teaching, and outreach missions of the Center for Great Plains Studies and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the mission of the Great Plains Art Museum is to collect, preserve, research, and interpret the art and literature of the Great Plains region. The Great Plains Art Museum aims to foster study and enhance appreciation of the history and creative spirit of the Great Plains of North America through changing exhibits and public programs. Check out the temporary exhibitions that range from the ecology of the Great Plains to contemporary Indigenous art. Students and teachers can also view the growing online collection of 1,000+ artworks and reach out about opportunities for guided tours and art-making activities in the Education Studio.

For more information, contact:
Alison Cloet, Education and Outreach Associate

Great Plains Art Museum
1155 Q Street
Lincoln, NE 68588

The Great Plains Orff Chapter hosts workshops and socials centered around Orff-Schulwerk. Orff-Schulwerk is a music making philosophy that encourages singing, speaking, moving, playing, and creating in the music classroom. Come learn, sing, move, play, and create at the GPOC workshops this year!

For more information, contact:
Kathleen McBee, Co-President
Kaitlin Beck, Co-President

Great Plains Orff Chapter

Hot Shops Art Center provides creative development and education through experiences, classes, lectures, and demonstrations led by a pool of over 70 creatives and teaching artists. Imagine what happens when someone sees an artist-at-work, hears directly from them about their ideas, processes and tools, and has a hands-on experience! Hot Shops Arts Center provides makers and artists of all ages, ethnicities, races, and backgrounds who work in a variety of mediums a place and opportunity to be creative. Discover the Hot Shops Arts Center, where ideas, dreams and what ifs-are explored, created, and shared.

For more information, contact:
Josephine Langbehn, Education and Program Manager

Hot Shops Art Center
1301 Nicholas Street
Omaha, NE 68102

The International Quilt Museum (ICM) has the world’s largest publicly held collection of quilts. IQM excitedly seeks creative ways to engage the community with the amazing quilts and exhibition. There are many ways that the quilts and the programs at IQM can pair well with any topic or lesson. The International Quilt Museum invites teachers to bring students to the museum, work together on a special event or project, or collaborate on the curriculum taught. There’s so much to check out at the International Quilt Museum. Look for the articles published on ReadWorks App about quilting in relationship to math, social studies, and multicultural education. Also, make sure to attend Sewing Saturdays, held once a month, where students and their families can learn to sew and create a project together. Check out ICM’s First Friday events, which include free admission, refreshments, and an art project that takes place from 4-7 p.m. on the First Friday of each month.

For more information, contact:
Lindy Clausen, Education Coordinator

International Quilt Museum, University of Nebraska Lincoln
1523 N. 33rd St
Lincoln, NE 68503

The Joslyn brings people together to explore art across time and cultures. Discover 5,000 years of human creativity in art across three buildings. There are 100 works new to the collection on view among three outstanding exhibitions. Explore one stunning new building. The Joslyn offers free general admission to all, always. The Joslyn: Your Museum, Reimagined.

For more information, contact:
Laura Huntimer, Head of School & Teacher Programs
Chelsey Hill, School Programs Assistant

Joslyn Art Museum
2200 Dodge Street
Omaha, NE 68102

The mission of the Lied Center for Performing Arts is to educate, inspire, and entertain the people of Nebraska through the performing arts. Our education department offers masterclasses, student matinees, summer camps, and teacher development opportunities throughout the year. Explore the student matinee options for all ages, in Lincoln and across Nebraska.

For more information, contact:
Nancy Engen-Wedin, Education Programs Manager
Jane Schiermeyer Hansen, Education and Community Engagement Director

Lied Center for Performing Arts
301 N 12th Street
Lincoln, NE 68588

Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra presents inspiring experiences and welcomes all members of the community to discover and cultivate a profound, personal connection with live orchestral music. Be sure to check out this season’s Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra’s concert offerings, including educational and family programming, discounted tickets for music educators, and youth ticket prices.

For more information contact:
Hannah Bell, Community Partnerships Manager
Kevin Madden, Audience Services Manager

Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra
233 South 13th Street, Suite 1702
Lincoln, NE 68508

The Ross is Lincoln’s premier destination for the finest in international and American independent cinema. Located on the UNL City Campus at 13th & R Streets, The Ross is open to the public and features great deals for students all year long. Be sure to check out The Ross’s Student Night, held every third Wednesday of the month during the school year, for $1 tickets and $1 concessions.

For more information, contact:
Laurie Richards, Interim Programming Manager
Catherine Sypal, Administrative Associate

Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center
313 N 13th St
Lincoln, NE 68588-0253

The Merryman Performing Arts Center in Kearney presents the Scott D. & Rochelle Morris Matinees to 4,000 Kearney area students for free each year. Morris Matinees present arts and culture experiences of theater, music, and dance for a diverse educational experience. Explore the student matinees available to Kearney area students.

For more information, contact:
Dakota Empfield, Box Office Manager
Denise Christensen, Executive Director

Merryman Performing Arts Center
225 West 22nd Street
Kearney, NE 68845

The Museum of Nebraska Art is the official art collection of the State of Nebraska. Learn more about MONA and discover a vast collection of over 5,000 works by artists of local, national, and international acclaim, reflecting nearly 200 years of history. Be sure to follow MONA’s social media page to keep updated with the opening!

For more information, contact:
Christine Brown, Director of Learning and Engagement
Becky Puls, Learning and Engagement Assistant

Museum of Nebraska Art
2401 Central Avenue
Kearney, NE 68847

The Willa Cather Foundation is a not-for-profit organization created in 1955 that owns and operates the National Willa Cather Center and the nation’s largest collection of nationally-designated historic sites dedicated to an American author. Be sure to check out free student matinees, art exhibits, and summer theater programs offered annually by the Red Cloud Opera House and Art Gallery at the National Willa Cather Center!

For more information, contact:
Rachel Olsen, Director of Education and Engagement

The National Willa Cather Center
413 N. Webster
Red Cloud, NE 68970

4-H is delivered by Cooperative Extension–a community of more than 100 public universities across the nation that provides experiences where young people learn by doing. Youth complete hands-on projects in areas like art, health, science, agriculture, and citizenship in a positive environment where they receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles. Be sure to check out the 4-H Art-Focused Curriculum and Online Resources. 4-H prepares youth to be ‘Beyond Ready’ for their future.

For more information, contact:
Nebraska 4-H Youth Development
Or find your Local 4-H Extension Educators/Assistants found in all 93 Nebraska counties 

Nebraska 4-H Youth Development
114 Ag Hall, PO Box 830700
Lincoln, NE 68583-0700

The Nebraska Art Teachers Association is an organization of over 200 members across Nebraska that champions art education through creative growth and innovation. Tools and resources are equitably advanced for high quality visual arts, design, and media arts education supporting diverse populations and communities of practice. Be sure to checkout NATA’s community page to learn more about all sorts of offerings for visual and media arts teachers!

For more information, contact:
Samantha Guelden

Nebraska Art Teachers Association
1109 Howard St #308
Omaha, NE 68102

The mission of the NDE is to lead and support the preparation of all Nebraskans for learning, earning, and living. Check out the NDE Arts Ed website for the current arts education standards,  guidance for selecting instructional materials, Nebraska’s Arts Education Data Project, or the professional learning page for recordings and a calendar of events. Register for NDE Arts Ed mailing list to stay connected to Nebraska’s arts education. Watch your email for latest on the review process of the current arts education standards.

For more information, contact:
Cody Talarico, Arts Education Specialist

Nebraska Department of Education
PO Box 94987
Lincoln, NE 68509-4987

For more information, contact:
Cheyenne Grannan, Executive Director

Nebraska Music Educators Association
PO Box 576
Boystown, NE 68010

For more information, contact:
Tim Ganser, Managing Marketing Director

Nebraska Repertory Theatre
1209 R St
Lincoln, NE 68588

For more information, contact:
Matt Mason, Nebraska State Poet

9712 N 34th St
Omaha, NE 68112

For more information, contact:
Brooke Phillips, Co Chapter Director
Emily Mokrycki, Co Chapter Director

Nebraska Thespians
PO Box 24341
Omaha, NE 68124

For more information, contact:
Gina Tranisi, Co-Executive Director
Zedeka Poindexter, Co-Executive Director

Nebraska Writers Collective
6001 Dodge Street, CEC 117.13
Omaha, NE 68182

For more information, contact:
Dr. Lance Nielsen, Executive Director

Nebraskans for the Arts
1004 Farnam Street
PO Box 8517
Omaha, NE 68108

For more information, contact:
Lydia Gordon, Program Coordinator
Sherry Ruden, Executive Director

Norfolk Arts Center
305 N. 5th Street
Norfolk, NE 68701

For more information, contact:
Candace Jorgensen, Director of Programming

Omaha Conservatory of Music
7023 Cass Street
Omaha, NE 68132

For more information, contact:
Taylor Wyatt, Education Manager
Bill Grennan, Education & Engagement Manager

Omaha Performing Arts
1200 Douglas Street
Omaha, NE 68102

For more information, contact:
Liz Kendall Weisser, Director of Education and Community Engagement

Omaha Symphony
1905 Harney Street, Suite #400
Omaha, NE 68102

For more information, contact:
Lauren Medici, Director of Engagement Programs

Opera Omaha
1850 Farnam Street
Omaha, NE 68131

Pear Tree Performing Arts is dedicated to fostering artistic expression through dance and theatre arts. Pear Tree Performing Arts offers a wide range of outreach classes that provide accessible and engaging opportunities for students to explore their creativity.

For more information, contact:
Dr. Natasha Partridge-Butler, CEO and Artistic Director

Pear Tree Performing Arts
4801 NW Radial Hwy
Omaha, NE 68104

For more information, contact:
Zachary Pachol, Studios Manager
Lindy Glenn, Education Administrator
Kathy Tyree, Director of Strategy & Community Impact

The Rose Studios for Youth Artists
12202 W Center Rd
Omaha, NE 68144

For more information, contact:
Jody Boyer, Director of Education

Samuel Bak Museum – The Learning Center
2289 S. 67th Street
Omaha, NE 68106

For more information, contact:
Matt Boyd, Manager of Community Learning and Engagement

Sheldon Museum of Art
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
12th and R Street
Lincoln, NE 68588
(402) 472-2092

For more information, contact:
Danielle Laurion, Artistic Director 

UNO’s The Moving Company
6323 Maverick Plaza
Omaha, NE 68182

For more information, contact:
Mary Gibilisco, Executive Director

WhyArts, Inc.
6001 Dodge Street, UNO CEC 126E
Omaha, NE 68182