Youth Engagement
Recognizing a desire among our community's youth for hands-on art activities, we launched our youth engagement program to provide a safe and welcoming environment led by professional instructors for students age 8–16.
Upcoming Summer Camps
New in 2026: all co-op workshops are now ages 16+
If you know a young artist who wants to sharpen their skills and learn from highly skilled instructors, view our upcoming co-op workshop schedule, which has classes across all four of our co-op studios. Some workshops are even for ages 12 and up!
Workshops ScheduleYouth Culinary Workshop Series
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 & RegisterFriday Family Nights
Free fun in our Youth Studios
Bring the fam in for some fun and creative activities. 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, Feb. 27, 5-7 p.m.
- Friday, March 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.
Saturday Youth Programs
Art Club (September - May)
Art Club is an arts and cultural enrichment program for youth ages 8-12 years. 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 12-16 years 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.
Field Trips
Tuesdays and Fridays (by request)
Grades Pre-K through 12th grade AND adult chaperones
Cost: $5 per guest
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 Rayn Tot, our Youth + Outreach Manager, at nyarok@u-ca.org.
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!