Mission

The mission of the Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts is to support established and emerging writers, visual 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.

Since 2001, the residence has hosted more than 50 working artists each year which include a combination of visual artists, writers, composers, and interdisciplinary artists from across the country and around the world. Each has found privacy in which to create along with ample opportunities to interact with fellow artists in a friendly community located in the rolling bluff country in eastern Nebraska. The KHN Center accommodates up to five artists at a time for stays that vary from two to eight weeks.

Facility

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Two large double-occupancy apartments feature a shared kitchen, living and dining room and private bedrooms with ensuite baths. The garden-level efficiency apartment, located directly below a spacious composer’s studio often houses the composer-in-residence.

Apartments are furnished with basic necessities such as dishes, utensils, pots and pans and a number of small kitchen appliances. Bedroom and bath linens are provided.

Wi-fi access is available throughout the building and each apartment has private control for heating or air conditioning. The facility offers on-site laundry facilities for resident use. A printer and scanner connected to a communal computer is available in the residents’ lounge.

Each resident prepares his or her own meals. Grocery items are available within easy walking distance from the Center. Several welcoming restaurants and a quaint coffee shop are nearby. The Center maintains two bicycles for residents' use. For those bringing cars, off-street parking is provided.

The spacious common areas of the Center display works by previous visual art residents. Books, manuscripts and musical recordings by former writers and composers are available to current residents and visitors. Six structured shows mounted each year in the Center’s gallery are presented for artists to display their work and affords visitors an opportunity to interact with artists. Regular open studio events and receptions for exhibiting artists are held to which the community is invited. The Center also hosts several classes and hands-on workshops throughout the year in the room classroom space.

Please note pets, children, spouses and/or partners of residents can not be accommodated at the facility for the duration of a resident's stay. No exceptions will be considered. Temporary visitors are welcome but can not be housed overnight.

Visual artists work in one of three studios, two of which are approximately 425 square feet and one that is 258 square feet, outfitted with work tables, running water and storage shelves. Handtools, a table saw, a scroll saw and painting easels are available.

For printmakers, the Center offers a letterpress studio with a Vandercook Sp15 press and a standard proof press. The Harry Duncan Letterpress Studio also features a variety of furniture and fonts, an inventory of tools and inks, as well as a boxcar base for resident use.

Composers are provided a studio equipped with a Yamaha upright piano, a set of digital monitors and a compact mixer. The composer’s studio is spacious, comfortable and quiet, but not soundproof.

A private writer’s studio is located within each of the double-occupancy apartments featuring computer desks, shelving, and abundant natural light.

Pets, children, spouses and/or partners of residents can not be accommodated at the facility for the duration of a resident's stay. No exceptions will be considered. Temporary visitors are welcome but can not be housed overnight.

Setting

Nestled in the Burr Oak forests of the Missouri River, Nebraska City has held onto its heritage with tree-lined brick streets, architecturally interesting historic buildings and Victorian homes. But this town of 7,300 is not stuck in the past. Quite to the contrary, Nebraska City is alive with thriving businesses, dozens of attractions, and several festivals held throughout the year. It’s a place where after the first visit, the hardware store clerk will likely call you by name and locals may invite you over for tea. Midwestern friendliness abounds in Nebraska City—neighbors say hello on the streets and shoppers often stop to chat in the grocery store.

Nebraska City opens a whole world of small town experiences. From stretching the legs on shady streets, to visiting the orchards, attending a nearby concert, hitting the wellness center in town or gathering for lunch at one of the cafes, this small town on the Missouri has plenty to offer. There is no hustle and bustle here. It’s walk-able, bike-able and artist-friendly.

Nebraska City is known to conservationists around the world as the birthplace of Arbor Day, a national holiday to plant, celebrate and nurture trees. The day is celebrated in all 50 states and in 31 countries and territories from Australia to Yemen. Arbor Day Farm is part of the original estate of J. Sterling Morton, recognized as the founder of Arbor Day. His elegant 19th century mansion is now a National Historic Landmark.

An hour’s drive takes you to Omaha, Nebraska’s largest city, with a major airport, restaurants and art galleries. Omaha is home to the Henry Doorly Zoo, the University of Nebraska at Omaha, The Old Market shopping and restaurant district, College World Series, Creighton University and numerous arts events and venues. The Nebraska Shakespeare Festival offers activities throughout the year, the beautifully restored Orpheum Theatre, Joslyn Art Museum, Holland Performing Arts Center, Film Stream non-profit cinema and the Bemis Center for Contemporary Art all host regular programs.

To the west is Nebraska’s capital city, Lincoln. Home to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, many museums and restaurants, an airport, the Great Plains Art Collection , the Haymarket historic downtown district, the Sheldon Museum of Art and the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center for independent and classic films, Lincoln offers its own brand of easy charm and well as exciting Big Ten football on fall Saturdays.

Hours

The Center is open to the public Monday through Thursday noon to 4 p.m. and by appointment.

Please call 402.874.9600 or .

The Kimmel Foundation

The Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts is funded through the generous support of the Richard P. Kimmel and Laurine Kimmel Charitable Foundation.

For more information, please visit the Foundation's website.

Board of Directors

The board of directors is made up of local supporters of the arts, regional professionals from within the field, and those dedicated to seeing the mission of the Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts and it's supporting foundation thrive.

Ken Anderson
Denise Brady
Gary Day
Allison Hedge Coke
Pat Holmes
Lu Marcotte
Eric Richards
Joe Ruffo, Board President
Susie Wirth
Suzanne Wise

Staff

Jenni Brant, Executive Director
Pat Friedli, Assistant Director