Youth Engagement

Art Club

Saturdays 10am-12:30pm | February 25 – May 6, 2023
Youth Ages 7-10yrs
FREE // Due to the overwhelming interest in the program, applications and waitlists for Art Club are now closed. If you are interested in future Youth programming please complete the survey form below.

Art Club is an arts and cultural enrichment program for youth ages 7-10yrs. Each session provides opportunities to view and discuss exhibitions, visit cultural institutions, meet working artists, collaborate with peers, and explore both culinary and studio arts. The studio arts track offers opportunities for the youth to explore studio mediums in 2D(spring) and 3D(fall) art disciplines. The culinary arts track offers opportunities to gain food knowledge and cooking skills by working with a local chef. Snacks are provided.

Created to serve families in North Omaha, youth living within zip codes 68110, 68111, 68112, and 68104 will be given priority enrollment; followed by youth in Greater Omaha who are from populations that have been historically and systematically excluded; followed by youth who qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Action Brigade

Saturdays 2-4:30pm | February 25-May 6, 2023
Youth Ages 11-14yrs
FREE // Due to the overwhelming interest in the program, applications and waitlists for Action Brigade are now closed. If you are interested in future Youth programming please complete the survey form below.

Action Brigade is a socially-engaged art program that arms youth with tools and strategies to address topics and issues in their communities. Youth ages 11-14yrs meet with community members to learn how a topic that interests them is impacting people locally and globally, and work with chefs, artists, and peers to develop creative responses. Snacks are provided.

Created to serve families in North Omaha, youth living within zip codes 68110, 68111, 68112, and 68104 will be given priority enrollment; followed by youth in Greater Omaha who are from populations that have been historically and systematically excluded; followed by youth who qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Mentoring Young Artists

Fall Session (July 28 - November 12) // Thursdays 5-7:30p, Fridays 4-8p, Saturdays 9:30a-5p |
Ages 15-18yrs
Honorariums Provided // Applications for spring session are NOW CLOSED.

Mentoring Young Artists is a leadership and professional development program designed to provide aspiring artists ages 15-18yrs with hands-on experience facilitating creative engagements within a contemporary art space and mentorship participation in an informal learning environment during our Saturday youth programs. As part of their experiential learning, participants will gain exposure to the local artist community by attending art events, such as gallery openings, open mics, and artist talks. This program offers opportunities to build professional skills and relationships with experienced artists, educators, and staff members while supporting our goal to increase access to the arts for young people living in and around North Omaha.

Gallery Explorations

Gallery Explorations provide opportunities to engage in themes and practices inspired by the work of current exhibiting artists. Exhibition resource guides serve to provide educators, parents, and caregivers with accessible resources and engaging content to further explore topics and themes within past and present Union exhibitions.

In line with The Union's core values, these resource guides are intended to create uplifting and critical dialogue, build community pride, and empower students (of all ages) to become more civically engaged and active in social justice issues that are important to them.

For Teens – These single engagement workshops are designed to allow young artists (11-15yrs) an opportunity to explore creative practices while thinking critically about the work of contemporary artists.

For Families - Designed for youth ages 5+ and their adult loved ones, these single engagement workshops use artmaking to form connections with loved ones and the world around them.

For Educators and Alternative Learners - Exhibition resource + activity guides serve to provide educators, families, and alternative learners with accessible resources and engaging content to further explore topics and themes within past and present Union exhibitions. CLICK HERE to request a full 2022 exhibition lesson plans for educators.

Field Trips

Select Thursdays and Fridays (by request)
Grades Pre-K - 12 + adult chaperones
Cost: Varies

Offering both in-person and virtual 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.

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: Legos, weaving, clay, sculpture, beading, and more. These events are FREE and open to the public. No registration required to participate.

Wednesday, September 13: 5-7PM
Wednesday, October 18: 5-7PM
Wednesday, November 15: 5-7PM