A CAREFULLY
CONSIDERED PLAN
Nebraska’s story is unique and enduring. It is told in no more eloquent way than through the art of the state, created by artists with links to Nebraska and through artwork about Nebraska.
Born out of the vision, passion, and determination of many, the Museum of Nebraska Art has become a true destination and point of pride for the state.
Inspired by the work of our founders, MONA leadership has developed a plan to guide a comprehensive restoration of our current 28,000 square feet and construction of a 23,000-square-foot expansion.
A turning point...
There comes a time when transformative change is not an option but a mandate. A time when an institution must evolve in dramatic ways to meet its growing responsibilities and fulfill its potential. That time has come for MONA. We have embarked on a historic $36.5 million dollar campaign to expand and restore our historic home.
THE CRITICAL NEED
MONA’s home since 1986 is the iconic 1911 United States Post Office in Kearney. The building was acquired and renovated 10 years after a fledgling collection was established and seven years after the Nebraska Legislature recognized it as the official visual arts collection of the state of Nebraska. The decades since have seen growth and success beyond the wildest dreams of our founders.
As beautiful as it is, the 1911 building places severe constraints on the scope of MONA’s exhibitions and programs, with many spaces serving double and triple duty.
During MONA’s 45-year history, the initial collection of 30 artworks has expanded to more than 5,000 pieces. And the growth continues.
MONA has long since outgrown its available space. A strategic plan developed by MONA leadership in 2015 acknowledged the opportunity to meet current and future needs through an expansion and restoration of the facility. The completed expansion and restoration will address the following concerns:
Only 2% of MONA’s outstanding collection can be viewed at any one time.
Art vault storage is at capacity.
With many important works consigned to long-term storage, MONA is severely hindered in its acquisition efforts and is potentially less attractive to collectors or benefactors seeking a permanent home for their collections.
Lack of dedicated space for programs and workshops limits class sizes and even prevents initiatives that would advance MONA’s mission.
Existing constraints prevent MONA from securing accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums.
“The Museum of Nebraska Art brings together our love of art and our love of Nebraska. As the stewards of the state’s art collection, MONA’s leadership has diversified the museum’s programming, expanded the collection, and made art accessible to individuals across the state through programs like ARTreach and Miles to MONA. We are convinced that preparing for MONA’s future—and the future of Nebraska art—requires the bold investment this campaign seeks to secure.”
Gerry & Bruce Lauritzen
Honorary Campaign Co-ChairsMONA REIMAGINED
This opportunity will position the Museum of Nebraska Art to become one of Nebraska’s most accessible, engaging, and vibrant cultural institutions by responding to shifting expectations of what an art museum should offer visitors. This is our opportunity to reimagine MONA, dramatically. This expansion and restoration plan reaffirms our mission to be a vital center in Nebraska and enables us to recommit to our role as a bridge between the community and the visual arts.
EXPANSION FEATURES
MAIN LEVEL
A welcoming new main entrance allowing greater accessibility for visitors of all ages and levels of physical ability while providing deeper engagement with the permanent collection.
Enlarged and enhanced spaces, indoors and out, designed for museum programming, community events, and orienting tours.
Additional spacious galleries for special exhibitions, embracing new technology and allowing more extensive display of MONA’s permanent collection.
Accessible library space to accommodate MONA’s growing collection of books, reference materials, and ephemera.
An open commons area to house a lounge and expanded museum shop.
UPPER LEVEL
A new suite of galleries housing the permanent collection.
A new feature gallery dedicated to rotating exhibitions exploring special features of MONA’s permanent collection.
Convenient connection between administrative offices and the new expansion.
LOWER LEVEL
Greatly expanded storage facilities.
Fully updated mechanical systems, with special attention given to collection safety.
Dedicated space for artwork and exhibition care including art storage; matting and framing exhibition preparation; photography and workshop area; crating and crate storage areas.
Expanding MONA’s footprint in our community and state will allow for more people to soak up the cultural richness through exhibitions, events, education and classes.”
Judi Sickler, President/CEO Kearney Area Community FoundationA TRANSFORMATIVE
MOMENT
EMBODYING THE ARTS
Projected to open in 2024, the newly expanded and restored Museum of Nebraska Art will serve as a vibrant beacon for the arts, embodying MONA’s mission and vision, while embracing the history and diversity of the state. This pivotal moment will launch MONA into an exciting new era, in which we can make the experience of art—and all that entails—more accessible and meaningful than ever, for all, and at a higher level than ever. There are moments in life when we are invited to be a part of something that has deep meaning, changes lives, and endures. This is one of those moments!
Barbara Takenaga
Nebraska II
acrylic on linen, 2015
Museum purchase made possible by Margaret Hornady-David & Donald David, Kwik Stop Convenience Stores, NebraskaLand National Bank, Tom & Sue Tallman, Museum of Nebraska Art Collection
“I was born and raised in North Platte, Nebraska and had an amazing, brilliant art teacher in junior and senior high school—Larry Peterson, who was one of the founders of the Museum of Nebraska Art. So I have a great affection for the state and the museum. I am so grateful to Larry for his encouragement into a life that has been very full of art and artmaking.”
Barbara Takenaga
2020 Guggenheim FellowBE A NEBRASKA MARVEL
With your help, the campaign for MONA will be a success.