MONA – Museum Of Nebraska Art - Kearney, Nebraska

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The Museum of Nebraska Art or MONA as it is known to locals is the state’s official collection of Nebraska art by Nebraska artists. The address of the museum is in Kearney, Nebraska at 2401 Central Avenue. The building that is home to the Museum of Nebraska Art was built in 1911 in the Renaissance Revival Style and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The permanent collection of Nebraska art contains over 5000 pieces. These pieces are housed in eleven different galleries, and include art by early Nebraska residents, artist explorers, modern artists and contemporary artists. Many of the artists included in the museum have been recognized on various levels, such as regional, national and international. Some of these artists are John James Audubon, George Catlin, Laurie Wallace and Grant Reynard.

Some of the current and upcoming special exhibits include two-dimensional art by Jun Keneko, which will be on display through December 2006. There is also an exhibit through December 2006 entitled the "Catlin Chronicles," which features Native American art by George Catlin from the 1830s. A renowned glass artist, Therman Statom is showcasing his work through January of 2007. Other upcoming works in early 2007 include an exhibit that showcases the season of winter with various interesting creations, artwork by Freda Spalding, and several different exhibits by artists that paint birds and other wildlife.

The Museum of Nebraska Art also offers various programs. For young children, there are the M&M classes, which allow children to look at the art, create projects and learn about the art and history of Nebraska. There are also various summer camps, from day camps to those that last several days. Each camp features a unique type of art and gives older children the chance to experience art in various mediums.

In addition to the gorgeous art that is featured in the museum, visitors can also spend time in the outdoor Cliff Hillegass Sculpture Garden. They can also enjoy the Hitchcock Education gallery, and the museum store which is filled with one of a kind items to purchase. The museum has items that are handcrafted by Nebraska artists, such as jewelry, glass, ceramics and various other artistic pieces. They also feature items that are related to the state of Nebraska, including CDs, clothing and stationery.

The museum of Nebraska Art is open on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and it is open on Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The building is closed on Mondays as well as on all major holidays. There is no admission fee for the museum, however donations are accepted and do help with the continued running of the facility. Visitors can choose to tour the building on their own; however groups of eight or more people can have a guided tour by making reservations ahead of time. To contact the museum, call (308) 865-8559.

MONA – Museum Of Nebraska Art - Kearney, Nebraska