About

Founded in 1981, by artists for artists, Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts supports today’s artists through an international residency program, temporary exhibitions and commissions, and innovative public programs. Bemis Center serves a critical role in the presentation and understanding of contemporary art, bridging the community of Omaha to a global discourse surrounding cultural production today.

Local Information

Omaha is a community that combines urban and rural lifestyles with a population of more than 400,000. Bemis Center is located in the heart of the Old Market which offers shops, restaurants, pubs, bookstores, a public library, hardware store, and post office all within walking distance. Omaha Eppley Airport is located less than 5 miles from Bemis Center. If artists are arriving by car, Bemis provides on-site parking for the duration of the residency located directly across the street from Bemis. There are several parks, trails, waterways and natural resources located in and around the city. Bemis offers communal bikes to use to explore highlights such as the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, which crosses the Missouri River into neighboring Council Bluffs, Iowa. Lauritzen Gardens, Fontenelle Forest, and the Henry Doorly Zoo are also national favorites. A vehicle for local use is available to resident artists.

Network Affiliations

• Alliance of Artist Communities
• Common Field