The Union for Contemporary Art strengthens the cultural and social landscape of its community by using the arts as a vehicle to inspire positive social change. The Union uses the term “social change” as a broad umbrella to encompass a range of social and civic outcomes from increased awareness and understanding, to attitudinal change and increased civic participation. Recognizing that change on the individual level is directly linked to the building of public will and the development of policy that corrects injustice, The Union embraces the opportunity to foster social change every day through its programs, partnerships, and commitment to North Omaha. The Union serves both the artistic and local communities with meaningful opportunities for engagement. The organization’s studios, exhibitions, and outward facing public programming have contributed to an environment where all are welcome.
The Union for Contemporary Art
Vanessa German, Ritual Reckoning, 2019. Performance documentation.
Celeste Butler, Union Fellow, in Union for Contemporary Art studio.
Celeste Butler, 2021 Union for Contemporary Art Fellow, working on a Malcolm X memorial quilt.
Community members participating in a ceramics workshop in the Union Co-Op Ceramics studio.
Delita Martin, Night Bird, 2020. Mixed-media.
Patty Talbert, from the Reflection series, 2021. Installation view.
Allegra Hangen, a pilar for whom, 2020. Detail.
“We strive to support institutions that share our artist-centered values. The small grassroots arts organizations as well as the museums that comprise our grantees provide invaluable opportunities for artists to express their unique perspectives on the pressing urgencies of the day. We hope that our grants help to amplify artists’ voices within their communities, in national discussions and debates, and across platforms in the international contemporary art world.”
Joel Wachs, President