Youth Engagement
The Union’s Youth Engagement program was created in response to neighborhood children who literally knocked on our door curious about the activity in our first home on Burdette Street. Recognizing a desire among neighborhood youth for hands-on art activities, we launched Art Club, an arts and culture enrichment program dedicated to providing a safe and welcoming environment for youth ages 8–16.
Today, we continue to offer free creative experiences for North Omaha youth, ranging from the visual and performing arts to urban agriculture and cooking. Since our founding in 2011, The Union has provided over 11,000 hours of creative and community-based programming for young people in North Omaha.
Upcoming Summer Camps
A culinary workshop for youth and their adult loved ones
Together Workshops: Kitchen Edition is a partner-based workshop led by No More Empty Pots designed for a fun, hands-on cooking experience! This workshop focuses on collaborative culinary creation to help pairs master new techniques, build confidence, and boost communication.
Learn More & RegisterYouth Programs
Art Club (September - May)
Art Club is an arts and cultural enrichment program for youth ages 8-12yrs. Each term provides opportunities to view and discuss exhibitions, visit cultural institutions, meet working artists, collaborate with peers, and explore the studio arts, alternating between 2D and 3D art mediums each year. Snacks are provided.
Created to serve families in North Omaha, priority enrollment is given to youth attending one of our partner schools or agencies. If you are interested in learning more about this program and other opportunities, please complete the interest survey below.
Union Youth Engagement Interest Survey
Action Brigade (September - May)
Action Brigade is a socially engaged art program that arms youth ages 12-16yrs with tools and strategies to address topics and issues in their communities. In addition to developing studio art skills, youth meet with community members to learn how a topic that interests them is impacting people locally and globally, and work with artists and peers to develop creative responses. Snacks are provided.
Created to serve families in North Omaha, priority enrollment is given to youth attending one of our partner schools or agencies. If you are interested in learning more about this program and other opportunities, please complete the interest survey below.
Art Education
Field Trips
Tuesdays and Fridays (by request)
Grades Pre-K - 12 + adult chaperones
Cost: Varies
Offering in-person tours of the Union’s current exhibitions as well as hands-on art making activities, these single engagement opportunities are aimed to increase accessibility for students, teachers, and alternative learners, while expanding the depth of inquiry to work by living contemporary BIPOC artists and artists exploring socially-engaged practices. If you would like to request a field trip for your group or a visit to your school/site, please email Christie Jones, Learning + Engagement Director, christie@u-ca.org
Community Engagement
Family Night
Families are invited to make art in The Union’s Youth Studios. Bring your loved ones for fun and creative play. Activities and materials may include: drawing, painting, printmaking, and more These events are FREE and open to the public. No registration required to participate.
- Friday, Jan 23, 5-7 p.m.
- Friday, Feb 27, 5-7 p.m.
- Friday, Mar 27, 5-7 p.m.
- Friday, April 24, 5-7 p.m.
- Friday, May 15, 5-7 p.m.
- Friday, Aug 21, 5-7 p.m.
- Friday, Sept 18, 5-7 p.m.
- Friday, Oct 16, 5-7 p.m.
- Friday, Nov 20, 5-7 p.m.
Thank You
Thank you to The Fred and Eve Simon Charitable Foundation, Wells Fargo, and Richard Brooke Foundation for their generous support, which helps make The Union's Youth Engagement programming possible!
Thank you to our community partners No More Empty Pots and The Big Garden for enriching our culinary and small-scale agriculture curriculum!