Organization
Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts
About
The mission of the Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts is to support established and emerging writers, visual artists, interdisciplinary artists and composers by providing working and living environments that allow uninterrupted time for work, reflection and creative growth and to present and support arts-related programming that expands public awareness and appreciation of the arts. KHN awards up to 78 juried residencies per year to artists from across the country and around the world. Residencies are available for 2 to 8 weeks stays. Each resident receives a $175 stipend per week, free housing, and a private studio/study. To apply, see details and instructions at khncenterforthearts.org/residency. The Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts is a program of the Richard P. Kimmel and Laurine Kimmel Charitable Foundation.
Local Information
Located along of the Missouri River, Nebraska City is Nebraska's oldest incorporated city. The historic town is beautiful, with tree-lined brick streets, architecturally-interesting homes and buildings, and the most museums per capita of any city in the midwest. Nebraska City is a thriving small town with businesses, attractions, and festivals held throughout the year including Arbor Day and Applejack weekend celebrations. Midwestern friendliness abounds. The city is walkable and easy to navigate via bicycle, and is an hour's drive from Omaha and Lincoln, the two largest cities in Nebraska. Residency deadlines are March 1 and September 1 each year. For more details about Nebraska City and the surrounding area, visit khncenterforthearts.org/about/location.
Network Affiliations
- Alliance of Artist Communities
Current Open Calls
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Spring Deadline for 2025 Session 2 Residencies
Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts
Deadline:
Nebraska City, United States
Alumni Reviews
2019 Alumni - Interdisciplinary
I had an excellent and productive four weeks at KHN. Set in the quaint town of Nebraska City, NE, KHN offered a quiet, comfortable experience. The staff is fantastic and the facility is spacious and quiet. Nebraska City has enough to do that you feel connected with the outside world, but not too much to distract you from your work. Another highlight was the community outreach aspect of the program. Local members of the community asked excellent questions and were an engaged and enthusiastic audience. I highly recommend applying.
2019 Alumni - Artist Residency
I highly recommend this artist residency. Perks include a weekly stipend, comfortable living arrangements, private studio space, extremely helpful staff, free laundry and parking, and a quiet, peaceful environment in which to rest and pursue studio work. Bed and bath are private with shared kitchen and living room. The facility is within walking distance of a grocery store, pharmacy, movie theater, museums, and many shops & restaurants. Plenty of public parks and opportunities for exercise. Socializing during the residency is recommended but not required. I was able to really dig into my creative process, explore the area, and also rest!
2019 Alumni - Writing Residency
This residency was so peaceful. The staff members were kind and welcoming. There were excellent kitchen facilities and a stipend to pay for groceries. Although there was not a lot of programmed in social time, the welcoming atmosphere meant that it was not too isolating. Yet, I always felt I had enough time to do my work. Highly recommended.
2020 Alumni - Visual Artist Residency
I had a great session here and would very much recommend the program. The staff are terrific - super supportive, without ever being in your way. Nebraska City is definitely a small town, but you can walk everywhere and the people are very friendly. The facilities are quite nice - the visual studios are across a courtyard from the living areas, so you do have to venture outdoors from your apartment - but not very far. You have a bedroom and en suite bathroom to yourself, and share the kitchen and larger living area with a writer resident. I highly recommend being part of the Third Thursday evening, if possible. Was delighted to see how many people attended! Overall, I enjoyed my residency very much and learned a ton along the way, and would definitely give the program a giant thumbs up.
2021 Alumni - Visual Artist Residency
Kimmel Harding Nelson Center is absolutely magical. Located in a small town with lots of quirky spots of interest and accessible to a few hiking/running trails, the center is quiet and welcoming. The staff are thoughtful and knowledgeable, providing extensive and timely information for preparing for the residency, while being there, and upon departure. As a person who is shy in large groups it was lovely to be in a space with just a few other creatives and meet folks outside of my discipline (writers and musicians). KHN is a really great place for space and time (the stipend doesn't hurt either!). The studio was perfect for working in mixed media, getting a bit messy, and the balcony and courtyard provided a peaceful setting for reading and writing. Highly recommend.
2022 Alumni - Residency
This was a perfect residency for me. The accommodations are comfortable and clean. It was a good size - five people at a time meant knowing that people were around, but not obtrusive in any way. I could really focus on working on my project. The studio was a good size. I enjoyed sharing an apartment with a poet/writer. Nebraska City is a little daunting to navigate as a person of color and as an East Asian person specifically, but I didn't encounter any incidents.
2022 Alumni - Visual Artist Residency
I had an incredibly productive 4-week stay at KHN. My apartment was comfortable and spacious and my studio was perfect for my needs. The staff, Holly and Cari, are as hands-on as you want them to be — whether you need a ride to the grocery store, an "in" at the local nature center or just a recommendation for margaritas. KHN trusts artists to structure their own time and pace, allowing me to discover my ideal working conditions. I especially enjoyed meeting artists across disciplines, which is rare in our often-siloed worlds. Nebraska City is small but jam-packed with points of interest. Highly recommended!
2022 Alumni - Writing Residency
KHN is a wonderful, seamlessly-run residency in a surprisingly great midwestern town. Staff here is excellent, facilities are bright and comfortable (the beds!), and your time is your own. Writers and artists each share a 2-person apartment, but with separate bedrooms and bathrooms, which makes for a lot of alone-time and as much together time as you want. I got a ton of writing done, participated in the Third Thursday artist talk, shared work with the other residents here, and made my way through much of Nebraska City. Lots of walkable neighborhoods and so many nearby parks. Highly recommended.
2022 Alumni - Composer's residency
This was my first arts residency, and it was an ideal introduction. Nebraska City is a quaint, inviting, and friendly town, and KHN staff were incredibly kind and helpful throughout my time here. The facilities themselves are lovely and cozy. This experience gives me much confidence in pursuing further arts residencies!
2023 Alumni - Session 1
The Kimmel Harding Nelson (KHN) residency is an incredible gift of time, support, and space. It is located in a quirky small town in the middle of the US, a town that has an incredible amount of inspiration if you are willing to receive it. The KHN space is generous; it has practically everything you need to be comfortable, and there is art throughout the facilities, as well as wonderful books. KHN supports one composer at a time, and the studio is large and has a decent upright piano. KHN is also one of the only residencies that provides a modest stipend. I was here in 2009 as well (my very first residency); returning in 2023 has been quite emotional, and I'm extraordinarily grateful to be part of the KHN story. I have done 10 artist residencies on 12 different occasions, and KHN is definitely in my top 3 residency experiences. PLEASE APPLY!
2024 Alumni - Composer Residency
My time at the Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts was both highly productive and deeply restorative. The residency's setting provided an ideal environment for reflection and focused creative practice. The surrounding area offered opportunities for urban walks, enabling me to engage with the local culture and familiarize myself with the unique rhythms of life in Nebraska. The residency administration were exceptionally supportive and accommodating, providing the necessary resources while respecting the need for autonomy and solitude. A particularly striking feature of my stay was the expansive Nebraska skies, which I hope you come to experience yourself since no words can channel this experience. In sum, the KHN proved to be an ideal setting for creative reflection and production. I would highly recommend it to any artist seeking a quiet, contemplative environment that encourages both personal growth and artistic development.