MONA
MUSEUM OF NEBRASKA ART
A CAREFULLY CONSIDERED PLAN
Nebraska’s story is unique and enduring. It is told in no more eloquent way than through the art of the state, created by artists with links to Nebraska and through artwork about Nebraska.
Born out of the vision, passion, and determination of many, the Museum of Nebraska Art has become a true destination and point of pride for the state.
Inspired by the work of our founders, MONA leadership has developed a plan to guide a comprehensive restoration of our current 28,000 square feet and construction of a 23,000-square-foot expansion.
A turning point . . .
There comes a time when transformative change is not an option but a mandate. A time when an institution must evolve in dramatic ways to meet its growing responsibilities and fulfill its potential. That time has come for MONA. We have embarked on a historic $36.5 million dollar campaign to expand and restore our historic home.
THE CRITICAL NEED
MONA’s home since 1986 is the iconic 1911 United States Post Office in Kearney. The building was acquired and renovated 10 years after a fledgling collection was established and seven years after the Nebraska Legislature recognized it as the official visual arts collection of the state of Nebraska. The decades since have seen growth and success beyond the wildest dreams of our founders.
As beautiful as it is, the 1911 building places severe constraints on the scope of MONA’s exhibitions and programs, with many spaces serving double and triple duty.
The Museum of Nebraska Art brings together our love of art and our love of Nebraska. As the stewards of the state’s art collection, MONA’s leadership has diversified the museum’s programming, expanded the collection, and made art accessible to individuals across the state through programs like ARTreach and Miles to MONA. We are convinced that preparing for MONA’s future and the future of Nebraska art requires the bold investment this campaign seeks to secure.”
Gerry & Bruce Lauritzen Honorary Campaign Co-Chairs
During MONA’s 45-year history, the initial collection of 30 artworks has expanded to more than 5,000 pieces. And the growth continues.
MONA has long since outgrown its available space. A strategic plan developed by MONA leadership in 2015 acknowledged the opportunity to meet current and future needs through an expansion and restoration of the facility. The completed expansion and restoration will address the following concerns:
n Only 2% of MONA’s outstanding collection can be viewed at any one time.
n Art vault storage is at capacity.
n With many important works consigned to long-term storage, MONA is severely hindered in its acquisition efforts and is potentially less attractive to collectors or benefactors seeking a permanent home for their collections.
n Lack of dedicated space for programs and workshops limits class sizes and even prevents initiatives that would advance MONA’s mission.
n Existing constraints prevent MONA from securing accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums.
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MONA REIMAGINED
This opportunity will position the Museum of Nebraska Art to become one of Nebraska’s most accessible, engaging, and vibrant cultural institutions by responding to shifting expectations of what an art museum should offer visitors. This is our opportunity to reimagine MONA, dramatically. This expansion and restoration plan reaffirms our mission to be a vital center in Nebraska and enables us to recommit to our role as a bridge between the community and the visual arts.
EXPANSION FEATURES
MAIN LEVEL
n A welcoming new main entrance allowing greater accessibility for visitors of all ages and levels of physical ability while providing deeper engagement with the permanent collection.
n Enlarged and enhanced spaces, indoors and out, designed for museum programming, community events, and orienting tours.
n Additional spacious galleries for special exhibitions, embracing new technology and allowing more extensive display of MONA’s permanent collection.
n Accessible library space to accommodate MONA’s growing collection of books, reference materials, and ephemera.
n An open commons area to house a lounge and expanded museum shop.
UPPER LEVEL
n A new suite of galleries housing the permanent collection.
n A new feature gallery dedicated to rotating exhibitions exploring special features of MONA’s permanent collection.
n Convenient connection between administrative offices and the new expansion.
LOWER LEVEL
n Greatly expanded storage facilities.
n Fully updated mechanical systems, with special attention given to collection safety.
n Dedicated space for artwork and exhibition care including art storage; matting and framing exhibition preparation; photography and workshop area; crating and crate storage areas.
A TRANSFORMATIVE MOMENT
EMBODYING THE ARTS
Projected to open in 2023, the newly expanded and restored Museum of Nebraska Art will serve as a vibrant beacon for the arts, embodying MONA’s mission and vision, while embracing the history and diversity of the state. This pivotal moment will launch MONA into an exciting new era, in which we can make the experience of art and all that entails more accessible and meaningful than ever, for all, and at a higher level than ever. There are moments in life when we are invited to be a part of something that has deep meaning, changes lives, and endures. This is one of those moments!
The Museum of Nebraska Art is a Nebraska treasure. The strong growth of its excellent collections and programs means it is time for the museum to grow as well. Please support this important project.”
Marian Andersen Former MONA Board Member
OUR SERVICE TO THE STATE
TO THE PUBLIC
For the benefit of Nebraskans and visitors to the state, the Museum of Nebraska Art holds in trust the official visual arts collection of the state as established by the Nebraska Legislature in 1979.
MONA’s effort to reach beyond Kearney is best reflected in two of our most important and popular programs Miles to MONA and ARTreach.
In the 2018 – 2019 period, 5,284 students from 320 school
classes (elementary, middle, and high schools) visited MONA for docentled tours or learning-day experiences. Many of these trips were funded by our Miles to MONA program, which offers free round-trip transportation between participating schools and MONA.
ARTreach delivers and installs exhibitions to communities across Nebraska. With professional assistance in managing the exhibition each step of the way, ARTreach exhibitions share MONA’s collection with a variety of locales.
TO ARTISTS
Artists are the heart of our growing cultural community. They interpret our history and inspire our future, and are integral to MONA’s mission.
MONA champions art and artists with Nebraska ties, artists who challenge us to see the world and the work in a new light, to experience the unexpected, to ignite our imaginations, and inspire change.
We share the distinctive and invaluable perspectives of artists through our permanent collection as well as our special exhibitions. MONA understands that art not only has the power to transport us aesthetically, it can also provide insight into our shared experience and engage with the pressing cultural, political, and social questions of our time.
COUNTY CONNECTIONS
ARTreach Miles to MONA
BE A NEBRASKA MARVEL
You can play a role in transforming MONA. Help us to create an expanded and restored cultural icon for the state, and ensure we bring this project to completion.
Through the generosity of MONA’s Board of Directors and early lead gifts, the design phase is nearly complete. To take the next giant step in fundraising for Nebraska Marvels: The Campaign for MONA, we seek your support to begin construction in fall 2021.
PROJECT BUDGET
EXPENSES
Expansion construction cost
$16,500,000
Landscape 1,300,000
Historic restoration/renovation 6,000,000
Soft costs 3,000,000
Furnishings and equipment 1,200,000
Other costs 3,500,000
Operating endowment 5,000,000
TOTAL $36,500,000
INCOME
State appropriations $7,500,000
Leadership gifts 16,000,000
Documented planned gifts 5,000,000
Foundation grants 5,500,000
Public phase support 2,000,000
Corporate sponsorships and gifts 500,000
TOTAL $36,500,000
JOIN US AS WE MOVE TO A NEW PHASE
Our challenge . . . and yours . . . is to build the future together! We invite you to be part of one of the most exciting chapters in MONA’s history. Your generosity will help us create this new reality.
For your gift to make the greatest impact, we ask that you join us in seizing this historic moment.
MATCH
On April 26, 2021, Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts signed legislation that includes the appropriation of $7.5 million to support our expansion, restoration and renovation to be matched dollar-for-dollar from private donations.
HOW TO SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN FOR MONA
With your help, the campaign for MONA will be a success.
MAKE A PLEDGE
Make a gift to the campaign, pledged over a period of up to five years and structured in a payment schedule of your choosing. You may satisfy your pledge through payments by check, credit card, or direct deposit.
MAKE A GIFT OF SECURITIES
MAKE A CUSTOMIZED GIFT OF REAL ESTATE OR OTHER PROPERTY
MONA appreciates the gift of real and personal property as well as in-kind donations. Please contact us about our guidelines for accepting these special gifts.
MAKE A PLANNED GIFT
To arrange a gift or learn more about giving options, please contact:
Elizabeth Klipping Development Associate 308-865-8968 klippinge@unk.edu
A gift of appreciated assets such as publicly traded assets that have gained in value offer a significant tax benefit to you and help the campaign at the same time. We will be happy to assist you in transferring assets to complete your gift.
A planned gift or other type of deferred giving arrangement may suit your financial needs and can be structured in a variety of ways, including a will bequest, trust arrangement, or other incomeproducing vehicle. We will work with you and your advisors to structure a gift that best meets your tax and estate-planning needs.
THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO BE PART OF A $7.5 MILLION
CAMPAIGN CABINET
Gerry & Bruce Lauritzen, Omaha Honorary Campaign Co-Chairs
Marilyn & Galen Hadley, Kearney Campaign Co-Chairs
Jon & Leslie Abegglen, Kearney Campaign Co-Chairs
MEMBERS
Deanna Bosselman, Doniphan
Robert H. Culver Jr., Omaha
Bruce Frasier, Omaha
Tom Gallagher, New York/Red Cloud
Burke Harr, Omaha
John Heil, Omaha
Nicole Herden, Kearney
Margaret Hornady-David, Grand Island
Ruth Keene, Omaha
Larry Peterson, Kearney
Sue Quambusch, Lincoln
Jeanne Salerno, Omaha
John F. Wiederspan, Lincoln
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MUSEUM OF NEBRASKA ART BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OFFICERS
President – Tom Gallagher, New York/Red Cloud
President-Elect – Sue Quambusch, Lincoln
Past President – Marilyn Hadley, Kearney Secretary – Jan Einspahr, Norfolk
VP Collection/Exhibition –Kathy LeBaron, Lincoln
EX-OFFICIO
Nicole Herden, Kearney, Executive Director
Douglas A. Kristensen, Minden, UNK
Derrick Burbul, Kearney, UNK
Ryan Teten, Kearney, UNK Jon C. Watts, Kearney, UNK
VP Development –Dan O’Neill, North Platte
VP Education –David A. Wiebe, Kearney
VP Finance/Audit/Investment, Treasurer – John Heil, Omaha
BOARD MEMBERS
Wendy Anderson, Omaha
Jon Bokenkamp, Kearney
MEMBERS EMERITI
Jon Abegglen, Kearney
Jack Campbell, Lincoln
Steve Chatelain, North Platte
Bruce Frasier, Omaha
Beverley Karrer, Omaha
Ruth Keene, Omaha
I was born and raised in North Platte, Nebraska and had an amazing, brilliant art teacher in junior and senior high school Larry Peterson, who was one of the founders of the Museum of Nebraska Art. So I have a great affection for the state and the museum. I am so grateful to Larry for his encouragement into a life that has been very full of art and artmaking.”
Mary Ellen Mulcahy, Omaha/Greeley
Larry Peterson, Kearney
Jane Rohman, Lincoln/Elwood/Brownville
Barbara Takenaga 2020 Guggenheim Fellow
Robert H. Culver Jr., Omaha
Jan Einspahr, Norfolk
Burke Harr, Omaha
Candy Henning, Lincoln
Mary Henning, Kearney
Christie Hirschfeld, Kearney
Steve Homan, Kearney
Cathy Johnson, Kearney
Kate McCown, Lincoln
Megan McGowan, Omaha
Robert Nefsky, Lincoln
Larry Nye, Ogallala
Kim M. Robak, Lincoln
Michael Schnieders, Kearney
Stan Schwartz, Scottsbluff
John F. Wiederspan, Lincoln
Lyn Wallin Ziegenbein, Omaha
Jeanne Salerno, Omaha
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Expanding MONA’s footprint in our community and state will allow for more people to soak up the cultural richness through exhibitions, events, education and classes.”
Judi Sickler, President/CEO Kearney Area Community Foundation
NebraskaMarvels.com
Museum of Nebraska Art 2401 Central Avenue Kearney, NE 68847 308-865-8559 mona.unk.edu
Barbara Takenaga Nebraska II acrylic on linen, 2015 Museum purchase made possible by Margaret Hornady-David & Donald David, Kwik Stop Convenience Stores, NebraskaLand National Bank, Tom & Sue Tallman, Museum of Nebraska Art Collection