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.
1964
Philip Johnson commissioned Warhol to make a large-scale work for the exterior for his pavilion for the New York World’s Fair, along with other artists. Warhol’s provocative response, a multiple portrait of ‘Most Wanted Men’ was installed a few days before the opening but was deemed too inflammatory and contrary to the upbeat image of the World’s Fair and the work was taken down.