More About Us
Our community: Relationship building and collaboration with other art venues and businesses is an integral part of our focus at WNAC. We host monthly art guild meetings, provide space for studio art demonstrations, plan special events such as Bach's Lunches, and partner with other organizations to create classes and events.
Membership: We value our members! Membership funding assists in keeping WNAC open and accessible to the community and strengthens our ability to present new and impactful programming by supporting the galleries, classes, workshops, the After School Art Program, Art Camps, and educational exhibits. Memberships are good for one year from the date of purchase and make a fantastic gift.
Galleries: The Main Gallery (upstairs) and the Bronson Gallery (downstairs) at WNAC are unique and beautiful spaces that feature local, national, and international artists representing a wide variety of visual art styles, media, and techniques. Exhibits change monthly and there is always something new to see. We provide annual opportunities for local and regional artists with group shows such as the Visionaries Student Art Exhibit, the North Platte Valley Artist Show, the IMAGE Photography Exhibit, the WNAC President's Show, and the Juried Art Show.
Opening receptions: Each exhibit has an opening reception providing visitors with the opportunity to meet the artist(s), see the show, and enjoy food and refreshments. Gallery exhibits and receptions are always FREE and open to everyone.
Tours: Scheduled group tours are available during business hours and can be customized to your organization's needs and numbers. Gallery tours can also include an art project or activity that coordinates with the current exhibit and is perfect for schools, civic organizations, business groups, and clubs.
Classes: Educational interaction is at the heart of our mission at West Nebraska Arts Center. Arts professionals offer a variety of studio art classes and workshops year round for adults and youth. Our youth are future artists and audience for the arts. The goal of WNAC's seven month After School Art Program is to offer visual arts education to grades 1-6 using the Nebraska State Standards for Fine Arts Education as a guide. Students will develop skills to create, present, respond to, and connect art with the human experience.
Through exploration of media-painting, drawing, printmaking, collage, sculpture, applied design, and technology-they will begin to develop an understanding of the principles of art and elements of design, deepening their expressive and critical faculties, honing their art skills, and cultivating their imagination. Each child will create a portfolio of their work throughout the program and have the opportunity to participate in a gallery exhibit during the month of April.
WNAC offers two visual arts workshops every year in June to the youth of our community. Art Camp I is open to students ages 10-15 and Art Camp II is open to students 6-9.
Volunteer program: The West Nebraska Arts Center is YOUR organization and we are always looking for enthusiastic individuals who would like to become more involved. We match community members to tasks based on their specific areas of interest and skills. Our volunteers are a respected and vital part of our programming.
There are many ways to become involved:
-gallery receptions
-exhibit installation/lighting/tear-down
-fundraising events
-classroom assistant
-gallery/office sit
-working with youth (Art Camps, After School Art Program)
-office tasks (mailings, thank yous, filing, shopping)
-marketing/advertising/distributing flyers postcards
-gardening/grounds/maintenance
-photographing events and classes
-provide food for receptions
An application can be found on our website or stop by the office to get started today.
