Plan a romantic weekend getaway or a family vacation to one of these relaxing hotels, inns and B&Bs. Some are surrounded by scenic country views while others are close to famous museums, restaurants and attractions in Omaha, Lincoln and other destinations. Whether you are looking for a modern guest room, glamping or a home-away-from-home experience at a cozy inn, you will find ideas for nearly every taste and budget. Here are the best Nebraska vacation ideas. CDC information for travelers. Hours/availability may have changed.
1.Marina Inn Hotel in South Sioux City
Marina Inn Hotel in South Sioux City has a tranquil setting and magnificent views of the Missouri River. The hotel has one hundred and eighty one guest rooms that have large windows to provide guests with views of the river and Scenic Park. The elegant furnishings offer comfort as well as luxury so guests can feel at home. There is an indoor pool with a whirlpool along with a Fitness Center. There are also public areas for relaxing and mingling with other guests.
Kahill’s Steak, Fish, and Chophouse serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with separate menus for each meal. There is a bar menu at the restaurant and a room service option for those who wish to eat in the comfort of their rooms. For more entertainment, head into town to enjoy shopping, restaurant choices, and the Hard Rock Casino in Sioux City. Rooms start at $110 per night (Phone: +1 402-494-4000).
2. Slattery Vintage Estates
For couples who enjoy vineyards, Slattery Vintage Estates in Rural Cass County offers a romantic glamping experience. A cozy 12 x 14 foot tent resting on a 12 x 18 foot deck offers a full or queen bed, a dresser, rug, small table and chairs, and a fan or heater. The furnished tents also have toilet facilities, a clock radio, coffee service, and a deck of cards.
There is a campfire site for guests to share that includes wood, matches, and paper. Guests can have wine and cheese trays, foil dinners, s’mores, or a gourmet breakfast as add-on services to their stay. The two nearest towns are two and a half and five miles away where guests can find cafes, restaurants, and coffee houses. Rates start at $55 per night.
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3.The Cornerstone Mansion in Omaha
The Cornerstone Mansion in Omaha sprawls out over 10,200 square feet and serves as a bed and breakfast with a vintage atmosphere. There are a total of seven guest rooms, each with a private bath, complimentary Wi-Fi, telephones, and televisions. All of the rooms possess different décor and some offer fireplaces, sunporches, over-sized bathtubs, and desks. Guests can relax in the library before the fireplace, enjoy the Grand Piano, and lounge in the window seat.
They may also visit the parlor, or simply sit back and watch TV. Visitors are also encouraged to enjoy the spacious sunporch or one of the gazebos in the garden. Breakfast is served in the formal dining room with a continental breakfast during the weekdays and a full cooked breakfast on the weekends. The continental breakfast includes fruit, coffee, juice, cereals, and fresh baked muffins. The bed and breakfast is located near the Joslyn Castle, Riverboat Casinos, the Omaha Community Playhouse, Omaha’s Children’s Museum, and many other downtown attractions. Rooms start at $85 (+1 402-558-7600).
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4.Nebraska Weekend Getaways: Oft's Bed and Breakfast in Bennington
The Oft’s Bed and Breakfast in Bennington offers couples a relaxing getaway. There are two guest rooms at the bed and breakfast, with private baths and a sharedbalcony. A common room provides guests with cable TV, wireless internet, books and magazines, a desk, and games. Guests may also relax on the porch and enjoy the lily pond.
Guests may choose from a lighter continental breakfast or a home cooked breakfast served between 7:30 to 10 am. A range of museums can be found close by, along with golf courses, the Henry Doorly Zoo, and several restaurants. Rooms start at $89 (+1 402-614-7509).
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5.Nebraska Weekend Getaway: Lied Lodge
Lied Lodge in Nebraska City provides a rejuvenating getaway for families and couples. With a total of 140 fully renovated guest rooms, there is plenty of space for small groups or large parties to stay. The Spa at Lied Lodge offers a wide variety of massages and body treatments to provide the ultimate relaxation during your stay.
Guests can also check out the exercise room, the sauna, the whirlpool, or the pool room which features an Olympic-sized indoor swimming pool and a separate pool for children. The Timber Dining Room offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner with salads, soups, sandwiches, shrimp cocktail, and many other delightful foods. For guests who want a more laid back atmosphere, The Library Lounge, offers a range of appetizers, cocktails, wine, and beers. Rooms start at $149 (+1 402-873-8733).
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6.Nebraska Getaways: Hotel Deco Omaha
Hotel Deco Omaha offers a luxurious getaway in a modern Art Deco style environment. There are five different types of rooms to choose from, complete with 37-inch HD TVs, refreshments, an iPod Docking Station, complimentary Wi-Fi, and in-room massages. Guests are welcome to use the fitness center in the hotel. Other amenities include overnight shoe shines, valet laundry service, concierge service, iPad rentals, and Mercedes-Benz transportation.
Although the hotel itself has no restaurants, it is located in the heart of downtown Omaha with a variety of restaurants located nearby. Some of these restaurants include Hiro 88 for sushi, Nicola’s Italian Wine & Faire for Italian cuisine, or Block 16 for Vegan meals. Rooms start at $195 (+1 402-991-4981).
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7.Burchell's White Hill Farmhouse Inn
Burchell's White Hill Farmhouse Inn near Minden is a country-style bed and breakfast that lets you take a trip back to a quainter time with any of the four themed rooms. The rooms provide a comfortable and cozy feel with a private bath in each room. The Inn has an upstairs room that is also great for children to play in, as well as a breakfast porch, a dining room, an outside deck, and gardens.
All rooms provide comfortable seating and plenty of books. A complete farm fresh breakfast is offered on the breakfast porch to guests in the morning. An on-site restaurant is also available on Fridays and Saturdays or for special events. Rooms start at $110 (+1 308-832-1323).
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8.Romantic Getaways in Nebraska: Heartland Elk Guest Ranch
Heartland Elk Guest Ranch in Valentine, the perfect getaway off the beaten path, offers a variety of cabins to suit your lodging needs. All of the cabins are fully furnished and include a kitchen as well as fireplaces, air-conditioners, and charcoal grills. Guests can participate in a range of activities during their stay, from hiking and fishing to horseback riding and mountain biking. There are many ways to enjoy the outdoors and the more adventurous types can even experience tubing, canoeing, and kayaking.
Providing the quiet and privacy of a cabin getaway, guests enjoy their stay away from the bustle of town. Visitors can travel into town to eat at Sparks, a café located 2.5 miles away and open during the summer, or Valentine, which is 20 miles away. It is recommended that guests pack food that they can make in their cabins. From $125 per night (+1 402-376-2553).
9.Weekend Getaways in Nebraska: The River Inn Resort
The River Inn Resort in Brownville offers a tranquil and romantic atmosphere for couples to get away. The rooms offer either a park side or riverside view for their guests. All of the rooms are designed with luxury in mind and provide private baths, Wi-Fi, pillow top mattresses, HD TVs, refrigerators, and coffee makers. Exercise equipment is available in the resort, as well as a sunny deck common area where guests can relax or mingle.
Binoculars, books, games, and magazines are available for guests who would rather enjoy the quiet. For eating, The Spirit of Brownville offers dinner cruises during the warmer seasons. Other eating options are available in the village nearby. Guests can also find hiking, biking, and museum tours nearby. Rates start at $120 per night (+1 830-238-4226).
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10.Nebraska Vacations: Hyatt Place Omaha
Hyatt Place Omaha/Downtown-Old Market features a contemporary design at a convenient downtown location. All of the spacious rooms feature the plush Hyatt Grand mattress as well as a sofa or sofa-sleeper. Rooms include private baths, a 42’ HD TV, free Wi-Fi, and complimentary amenities. There is a 24 hour fitness center open to guests that includes Life Fitness cardio equipment.
There are complimentary hot breakfast items serves daily with fresh fruit. A Grab ‘n Go case provides sandwiches, greens, and bottled beverages for those who want a bite for the road. Guests can also enjoy beverages form the Coffee to Cocktails Bar or dine from the Gallery Menu. Just in town, there are several museums, two malls, several sports centers, and a zoo that guests can enjoy (+1 402-513-5500).
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11.Nebraska Weekend Getaways: The Rogers House Bed and Breakfast Inn
The Rogers House Bed and Breakfast Inn in Lincoln perfects a vintage atmosphere for families or couples to enjoy. There are two historic houses with a total of eleven guest rooms. Every room boasts top of the line mattresses and full private baths, and some also include whirlpool whirlpool tubs or guest work areas. Off street parking and wireless internet is available for both buildings, as well as central air conditioning.
Guests can relax with a book or mingle in the common rooms. A full two course gourmet breakfast is served in the dining room on the main floor or privately in the guest rooms. The timing of breakfast can be arranged to accommodate early schedules as well as special dietary needs. Rooms start at $99 (+1 402-476-6961).
12.Nebraska Vacation Spots: The Magnolia Hotel Omaha
The Magnolia Hotel Omaha welcomes both families and couples to enjoy the comfort of their rooms. The modern and inviting decorating style of the rooms promise to make guests feel at home during their stay. Guests can relax in The Lounge, which features flat screen televisions and a full bar, or enjoy the fitness center.
The fitness center is open 24 hours and has treadmills, a stationary bicycle, an elliptical, free weights and a weight machine. The Lounge also offers contemporary American food, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guests can choose to dine in the restaurant or in the comforts of their room. A range of restaurants and nightlife are offered nearby, along with shops and the historic Orpheum Theater. Rooms start at $99 (+1 402-341-2500).
13.Couples Getaway Nebraska: The Red Cloud Bed and Breakfast
The Red Cloud Bed and Breakfast at the Kaley House in Red Cloud, Nebraska has three lovely bedroomswith ceiling fans and flat screen TVs. The rooms feature oriental rugs and comfortable bedding. There are three parlor rooms where guests can sit and enjoy a book, mingle, or simply just relax and watch television.
Guests can enjoy a homemade continental breakfast along with coffee in the dining room with other dining options available in town. Also in town, guests can find points on interest, such as the Red Cloud Opera House and the Webster County Historical Museum. Rates start at $100 (402-746-3989).
14.Weekend Trips from Nebraska: Middle Loup River Ranch Guest House
Middle Loup River Ranch Guest House in Thedford is the perfect weekend relaxation retreat, complete with two bedrooms, one with a queen bed and one with two twin beds. There is also a sleeper sofa in the living room for extra accommodations. A living room with a TV, DVD, and VHS player along with a library of movies and an assortment of puzzles, books, and board games are available to sit back and enjoy.
Guests can relax in the screen in porch and enjoy the early morning or late evenings. The fully furnished kitchen carries all of the dinnerware and cooking utensils needed to make a meal. Guests can bring their own food or send a grocery list to have the kitchen stocked with food upon arrival. Fishing is available nearby, along with water sports such as canoeing and kayaking. Rates start at $99 (+1 308-645-2715).
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15.Weekend Getaways Near Me: The Cambridge Bed and Breakfast
The Cambridge Bed and Breakfast in Cambridge features Neo-Classical architecture and original details from 1907. Each of the four guest rooms make their guests feel at home with their own themes ranging from quaint to floral. All rooms include a private bath, complimentary Wi-Fi, a television with a VCR, a desk area, and the finest linens.
Parlor rooms, a sun room, and the front porch serve as common areas for guests to relax or mingle in. There is also a garden available for a quiet stroll or just to enjoy the greenery. A homemade breakfast is served on the main level in the dining room. Other eating options in town include the Town Talk Restaurant. A spa, golf courses, shopping, museums, and artist studios can all be found close to the bed and breakfast (308-697-3220).
More places to visit: Best Things to Do in Omaha.
16.Nebraska Honeymoon: Whispering Pines Bed and Breakfast
Whispering Pines Bed and Breakfast in Nebraska City provides guests with an old Victorian atmosphere with modern comforts. With five different rooms to rent, they all offer a different theme. The rooms are furnished with comfortable bedding and seating as well as private baths with bathrobes. In the common areas of the bed and breakfast, guests may enjoy many comforts such as a parlor room and other cozy rooms perfect for relaxing with a book, a guest Den ideal for movies, and even an outdoor hot tub.
Also outdoors on the lovely six and a half acres of property, guests can explore the flower gardens and a water garden with fountains. A homemade breakfast is served in the dining room with treats such as Granola, Orange Pecan French Toast, and Peach Enchiladas. Rooms start at $171 (+1 330-735-2824).
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17.Romantic Cabin Getaways in Nebraska: Niobrara River Ranch Cabins
For couples, families, or friend groups who want a private escape, Niobrara River Ranch Cabins near Valentine provides a scenic answer. There are seven different cabins available with two to five bedrooms. All of the cabins have air conditioning, wood stoves, a tub and shower, satellite TV, and a full kitchen that includes a dishwasher and a microwave.
A wide variety of outdoor activities are available nearby, including canoeing, hiking, fishing, and sightseeing. Guests have kitchens to bring and cook their own food in during their stay. For those wanting to dine out, the nearest town is 15 miles away and provides places to eat, shop, and entertainment. Camping rates start at $25 per night; cabins from $275 (402-890-1245).
17 Best Romantic Getaways & Places to Visit in Nebraska
- Marina Inn Hotel in South Sioux City, Photo: Marina Inn Hotel
- Slattery Vintage Estates, Photo: Slattery Vintage Estates
- The Cornerstone Mansion in Omaha, Photo: The Cornerstone Mansion
- Nebraska Weekend Getaways: Oft's Bed and Breakfast in Bennington, Photo: Oft's Bed and Breakfast
- Nebraska Weekend Getaway: Lied Lodge, Photo: Lied Lodge
- Nebraska Getaways: Hotel Deco Omaha, Photo: Hotel Deco Omaha
- Burchell's White Hill Farmhouse Inn, Photo: Burchell's White Hill Farmhouse Inn
- Romantic Getaways in Nebraska: Heartland Elk Guest Ranch, Photo: Heartland Elk Guest Ranch
- Weekend Getaways in Nebraska: The River Inn Resort, Photo: The River Inn Resort
- Nebraska Vacations: Hyatt Place Omaha, Photo: Hyatt Place Omaha
- Nebraska Weekend Getaways: The Rogers House Bed and Breakfast Inn, Photo: The Rogers House Bed and Breakfast Inn
- Nebraska Vacation Spots: The Magnolia Hotel Omaha, Photo: The Magnolia Hotel Omaha
- Couples Getaway Nebraska: The Red Cloud Bed and Breakfast, Photo: The Red Cloud Bed and Breakfast
- Weekend Trips from Nebraska: Middle Loup River Ranch Guest House, Photo: Middle Loup River Ranch Guest House
- Weekend Getaways Near Me: The Cambridge Bed and Breakfast, Photo: The Cambridge Bed and Breakfast
- Nebraska Honeymoon: Whispering Pines Bed and Breakfast, Photo: Whispering Pines Bed and Breakfast
- Romantic Cabin Getaways in Nebraska: Niobrara River Ranch Cabins, Photo: Niobrara River Ranch Cabins
- Cover Photo: Courtesy of Marina Inn Hotel
Largest Cities in Nebraska
Situated in both the Midwest and Great Plains regions of the United States, Nebraska is the 16th biggest state in terms of area but has the 37th biggest population, resulting in this state being one of the most sparsely populated areas of America. Nebraska covers an area of 77,358 square miles and has an estimated population of 1.92 million. Nebraska has borders with the following states: South Dakota, Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Colorado, and Wyoming.
Nebraska has the unique distinction of being the only 'triply landlocked' state of America, meaning that one would have to travel through three separate states in any direction in order to reach the coast. The Missouri River runs along the eastern side of Nebraska, which became the 37th official state in 1867. The largest city in Nebraska is Omaha, and the biggest metropolitan area is the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro. The capital city of Nebraska is Lincoln. Read on for some additional details on the largest cities of Nebraska.
Situated in Douglas County, of which it is the county seat, Omaha is the biggest city in the state of Nebraska. It is located on the Missouri River, not far from the Platte River, in the eastern part of the state. Omaha covers a total area of 130.58 square miles and has an estimated population of 466,000, with over 975,000 in the surrounding metropolitan area.
Omaha is a key industrial and business hub for the state of Nebraska, being home to four Fortune 500 companies and many other major corporations. The city was founded in 1854 and incorporated just a few years later, in 1857. In the 19th century, the city was seen as a key transportation hub, linking the east and west parts of America and earning the nickname 'Gateway to the West'. Over time, the city developed its own industries and built up a successful economy that has stayed strong in the modern era.
Lincoln is located in Lancaster County and is the state capital of Nebraska. It is the second biggest city in the state and one of only two cities (with the other being Omaha) to have a population exceeding 100,000. Lincoln covers an area of 94.267 square miles and has an estimated population of 258,000.
This city is situated in the southeastern part of the state and was founded in 1856. It was originally called Lancaster but the name was changed to Lincoln, in honor of Abraham Lincoln, in 1867. The city of Lincoln is home to the University of Nebraska, which was established in 1867 and is one of the biggest employers in the area. Over 25,000 students attend this university each year, making Lincoln a big college town.
Located in Sarpy County, Bellevue is the third largest city in all of Nebraska. It is located in the eastern part of the state and is technically a suburb of the city of Omaha. Bellevue covers a relatively small area of 16.02 square miles and has an estimated population of 53,000.
This city is officially regarded as the second oldest settlement of Nebraska and was founded at some time in the 1830s, before being incorporated in 1855. The name of this city comes from a French word meaning 'beautiful view'.
Situated in Hall County, of which it is the county seat, Grand Island is the fourth biggest city in Nebraska. This city is located in the central eastern part of the state and covers an area of 28.55 square miles.
Grand Island has an estimated population of 51,000 and is the main city of the Grand Island metropolitan area, which also includes Merric, Howard, and Hamilton Counties. One of the major locations in Grand Island is the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center, which is the only training location of its kind in the state.
Located in Buffalo County, of which it is the county seat, Kearney is the fifth biggest city in Nebraska. Due to the state's relatively small overall population, Kearney is quite a small location despite being one of the top five cities of Nebraska. It covers an area of 13 square miles and has an estimated population of around 33,000.
Kearney is found in the south central part of the state in quite an important strategic location, offering access to much larger cities like Des Moines, Omaha, Denver, and more. Originally known as Dobytown, Kearney was given a new name in honor nearby Fort Kearny, which was named after General Stephen W. Kearny, an important officer in the Mexican-American War.
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More Ideas: Joslyn Art Museum
Located in Omaha, Nebraska, the Joslyn Art Museum is the premiere fine arts museum in the state of Nebraska and its only arts institution with an extensive permanent collection. he museum was dedicated as a gift to the people of Omaha by Sarah H. Joslyn, in memory of her husband, newspaper magnate George Joslyn.
History
TNative New Englanders, the Joslyns moved to Omaha in 1880, where George became president and general manager of the Western Newspaper Union, the largest newspaper service organization in the world at the time, operating plants and offices in 32 prominent cities. At the time of his death, George Joslyn was the richest man in Nebraska.
The Joslyns were noted philanthropists in the Omaha community during their lifetimes, donating more than seven million dollars to local organizations such as the University of Omaha, the Humane Society, and the Child Saving Institute, so upon George’s death, Sarah set out to create a memorial that would honor this legacy of philanthropy and continue to serve the community. Drawing upon their shared love of art and music, she settled on an art museum and concert hall as the design for the memorial.
After three years of construction, the museum was opened on November 29, 1931. It is housed in a large Art Deco style building that was named one of the 100 most beautiful buildings in the country in 1938. Designed by architects John and Alan McDonald, the building’s exterior is constructed from Georgia Pink marble, with more than 38 types of marble from France, Italy, Belgium, Germany, and Morocco utilized in its interior. Decorative themes in the building’s interior, including panels designed by John David Brcin, pay homage to the area’s indigenous Native American populations.
Several renovations in the past decades have added substantial expansions onto the museum. The Walter and Suzanne Scott Pavilion, a 58,000-square-foot pavilion added in 1994 by British architect Lord Norman Foster, connects the building to the ConAgra Foods Atrium. In 2009, the addition of the Joslyn Sculpture Garden revamped the building’s exterior, featuring granite pathways, a reflecting pool, and a waterfall.
Permanent Exhibits
The museum is home to a number of permanent exhibits, featuring items from its international arts collection.
The Ancient Collection includes pieces dating back to Egyptian, Greek, and Roman societies. A sizeable collection of Greek pottery is featured, along with a bust of Egyptian princess Amenirdas I dating back to 700 B.C. and a head of Roman emperor Augustus commissioned around 20 A.D. An American Indian Collection features historic works by indigenous peoples, including preserved ledger books by Southern Cheyenne warrior Howling Wolf and Kiowa chief White Horse, noted artists among their tribes. Contemporary Native American art is also highlighted, with works by artists such as Fritz Scholder, Jaune Quick-To-See Smith, Allan Houser, Bob Haozous, and Zig Jackson.
A notable collection of Art of the American West includes extensive holdings of the works of Swiss artist Karl Bodmer that document his 1832-1834 journey through the Missouri River frontier area. A collection of watercolors by Alfred Jacob Miller also serves as a travelogue of the frontier West, inspired by Miller’s travels through the Rocky Mountains in 1837. The American Collection includes colonial portraits and landscapes by artists such as James Peale, Mather Brown, Thomas Cole, and Homer Dodge Martin, as well as holdings of early American furniture, sculpture, and decorative arts.
The museum is noted for its 19th- and 20th-century European Collection, which features significant holdings of artists such as William Adolphe Bouguereau and Pierre Auguste Renoir. Pieces by Claude Monet and Edgar Degas are also of note, including one of two plaster versions in existence of Degas’ Little Dancer sculpture. A collection of Modern and Contemporary Art is anchored by Jackson Pollock’s 1947 work Galaxy, along with other significant regionalist, Abstract Expressionist, and Pop Art works.
The Asian Collection presents a 4,000-year overview of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian, and Tibetan art, including a carved red lacquer screen preserved from the Kang-xi period. A small but notable holding of Spanish colonial missionary art anchors the Latin American Collection, including a travelling scroll by José María Hernández and an Our Lady of Guadalupe retablo.
Ongoing Programs and Education
A number of educational programs engage the Omaha community with the museum’s collections and art studio space. In addition to school group visits, the Outreach Trunks program brings reproductions of museum artwork directly into the classroom, with activities structured around the pieces and themes represented. Art classes for all ages are offered throughout the year, incorporating themes of current and permanent exhibits, and the Kent Bellows Mentoring Program provides teens interested in art with a chance to work in an interdisciplinary studio with professional artist support.
Special events held throughout the year include a concert series with the Omaha Symphony Orchestra, held at the museum’s Witherspoon Concert Hall, and the popular Late ‘til 8 happy hour series, featuring gallery talks, film showings, and music performances.
2200 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE 68102-1292, Phone: 402-342-3300
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More Ideas: Bemis Center for Contemporary Art
Located in Omaha, Nebraska’s Old Market Historic District, the Bemis Center for Contemporary Art is an artist-run exhibition and community arts space, bringing contemporary art to the Omaha community through public workshops and events and an artist-in-residency program.
History
The Bemis Center’s roots can be traced back to 1981, when Lorne Falk, Tony Hepburn, Jun Kaneko, and Ree Schonlau founded the Alternative Worksite artist-in-residency program, which provided artists with work space at local industrial sites in order to foster creativity and experimentation. The program’s success resulted in the establishment of a permanent worksite at the Bemis Bag Warehouse, part of city’s historic Old Market building, and as such, the organization’s name was changed to The Bemis Foundation to honor its new space. In 1995, the organization revamped again, moving into the former McCord-Brady grocery warehouse and rebranding as the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts to reflect its expanded variety of its programming.
In 2011, the Center expanded again, adding five live-in studios, a 2,000-square-foot multipurpose space, a loading dock, and a garden at the Okada Center for Sculpture and Ceramics.
Ongoing Programs and Exhibits
Central to the Bemis Center’s work is its Artist-in-Residence program, which is frequently cited as one of the top artist residency programs in the world. Over 900 artists have participated in the program since its inception in 1981, with 1,200 annual applicants vying for 36 residency spots. Interdisciplinary artists from all fields are encouraged to apply, with past program recipients representing the fields of painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, fiber arts, architecture, installation, photography, writing, performance, theater, and puppetry. Selected artists-in-residence are provided with $750 monthly stipend, as well as a live-in work studio at Omaha’s Old Market and 24-hour access to production and installation spaces, including the Okada Sculpture and Ceramics facility. Artists are encouraged to work communally in order to facilitate creative growth and experimentation.
The Center’s galleries host more than 20 rotating annual exhibitions, inviting local and international artists to create site-specific, socially engaged works. In addition to cutting-edge installations across a variety of disciplines, the galleries also frequently present compilations of works by Nebraska artists and retrospectives of art created by the Center’s programming over the years.
Through its Community Arts program, the Center seeks to engage the Omaha community in a number of outreach programs, including public art projects and in-school educational programming. The program’s roots came out of the Art 4 Omaha Initiative, a public arts initiative started in 2005 seeking to enhance the city’s cultural landscape and raise awareness for contemporary art among its citizens. Many competitions and collaborations run as part of the Community Arts program have incorporated art into public Omaha spaces via permanent installations, including the Fertile Ground mural on the east and north walls of the NRG Energy building, a steel sculpture collaboration and painted quilt project developed for Qwest Center Omaha, and a campus-wide artwork master plan for Project Harmony, a local child abuse center.
In addition to Community Arts program initiatives, several exhibits presented at the Center have continued to have an impact on Omaha’s cultural landscape, including the ongoing Urban Fruit Trails installation. Organized in conjunction with the 2015 Fallen Fruit: Power of People, Power of Place exhibition, the natural exhibit presents a walking path of apple trees planted throughout the city by teenagers in the Joslyn Art Museum’s Kent Bellows Mentoring Program. The path of trees connects Omaha’s neighborhoods from north to south, with bilingual signage at each tree encouraging visitors to pick and share apples during the harvest season.
The Community Arts program has also sponsored initiatives with local schools, seeking to encourage appreciation for contemporary arts among Omaha’s youth. The TEAM initiative brings local high school students to the community’s public libraries for forums discussing community issues and art workshops with Center educators. Another Art 4 Omaha initiative with Bancroft Elementary students created banners that are now on display at a community visual arts facility, and the Building Bridges youth residency project allowed students to create scale models of their ideas for public art projects.
The Center also hosts a number of public events throughout the year, including an annual art auction benefit evening. More than 250 works created specifically for the event by local, national, and international artists are auctioned, with all proceeds benefitting the Center’s future programming. Artist-led classes and workshops are offered throughout the year for the public, along with ARTalks lectures, open studio events, panel discussions, and film screenings. Theater and dance performances are also frequently presented at the Center as part of multidisciplinary exhibits.
724 South 12th Street, Omaha, NE 68102, Phone: 402-341-7130
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