About
the Public Art Commission of OmahaWhat is the Public Art Commission?
Mission:
- Provide a system of review for acceptance and placement of public art gifts to the city.
- Provide a means to improve and maintain the visual and cultural aspects of the city.
- Expand public experience through exposure to culture through various art forms which enhance and improve public facilities and the city’s environment.
- Encourage and stimulate citizens, developers, landowners, contractors, and architects to support displays of art for public enjoyment.
What We Do:
The Public Art Commission makes recommendations on artwork donated or acquired by the City (i.e. artistic merit, the value of pieces); advisory committee to other City boards in all matters regarding visual art and aesthetics.
What is Public Art?
Public art is original art made by an identifiable Artist who has given permission for the Artwork to be included in Omaha’s Public Art collection. Learn more about public Art and how to recommend artwork to be included in the collection.
Why is Public Art Important?
Public art humanizes the city environment, giving a greater sense of identity within the community. Public art gently connects the past, present, and future, creating cultural understanding and bringing a sense of belonging. Public art acknowledges the contributions of the creative sector in supporting economic growth and sustainability, which helps our community to thrive.
“When we think about memorable places, we think about their icons – consider the St. Louis Arch, the totem poles of Vancouver, the heads at Easter Island. All of these were the work of creative people who captured the spirit and atmosphere of their cultural milieu. Absent public art, we would be absent our human identities.”
— Americans for the Arts
Our Board
Appointment Process:
Appointed by Mayor; approved by the Omaha City Council.
Special Qualifications:
Museum curator, architect or landscape architect, representative of local non-profit visual arts corporation or association, visual art teacher, commercial visual artist or designer, two established visual artists, and two at-large members.
Karin Campbell
Karin Campbell is the Phil Willson Curator of Contemporary Art at Joslyn Art Museum. Since joining Joslyn in 2012, Campbell has curated several major temporary exhibitions, including 30 Americans from the Miami-based Rubell Family Collection, Word/Play: Prints, Photographs, and Paintings by Ed Ruscha, and the traveling survey Sheila Hicks: Material Voices. In addition to overseeing Joslyn’s modern and contemporary permanent collection, Campbell is the principal curator for the Karen and Doug Riley Contemporary Artists Project (CAP) Gallery, the first space in the museum’s history dedicated specifically to living artists.
Kristin Pluhacek
Kristin is a Visual Artist whose work has been exhibited extensively in area fine arts galleries and museums, and is held in numerous public and private collections. She is an adjunct drawing instructor at Creighton University and Metropolitan Community College and a roster artist with the Nebraska Arts Council Artists in Schools/Communities program. Her work can be viewed online at kkpluhacek.com.
Kristina Engler
Kris Engler, a Registered Landscape Architect, has master’s degrees in Landscape Architecture and Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Minnesota. After graduation Kris worked for HDR Architecture before moving into the Academic world, teaching Horticulture, Design and Sustainability classes at Metro Community College.
Paul E. Konchagulian
Paul is a visual artist with an emphasis on steel sculpture and large scale installations. He is passionate about public art and and it’s ability to transform urban areas and inspire communities. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Alfred University in New York and has exhibited throughout the United States and Asia where his work can be found both in public and private settings.
Robert E. Carlson Ph.D.
Robert E. Carlson, Ph.D. is University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) Professor Emeritus of Communication. Among many roles Bob had during his UNO career was Chair of the UNO Department of Art and Art History for the six years prior to his retirement. Since retirement, he has been a Board member, and three term President, of Friends of Art, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, which has a primary mission of funding scholarships for UNO art and art history students.
Sara Rogers
Sara has been a professional photographer since 2006. Her photos have been featured in Wedding Essentials Magazine, the Midlands Business Journal, on billboards throughout Omaha for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands, and on display in the national headquarters of Big Brothers Big Sisters in Tampa, Florida. In addition, she has photographed a number of political candidates for their campaigns. Her work can be seen at sararogersphotography.com.
Tyler Curnes
Tyler is a Kiln-formed glass artist based in Olde Town Elkhorn. He has been involved in the local area art community for 10 years. Combining his wealth of knowledge on glass artwork and design he has also helped the district with many installations. Tyler Also owns Main Street Studios, a fine arts gallery with in house professional artists and works to bring art into the community. Tyler’s work can be found online at MainStreetStudios.com
Meetings
The PAC meets the second Wednesday of every month, at the Dewey Recreation Center at 550 Turner Boulevard, at 4 p.m. To request an agenda item to be added, please e-mail Sidney Moore no later than the Wednesday before the monthly scheduled meeting. All items not received one week prior will be added to the following month’s agenda.
Funding for this website provided by the Omaha Downtown Improvement District. Visit Downtown Omaha to take a walking tour of public art and stay to play at the numerous attractions!