Youth Engagement

Inspiring young artists

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!

Logos Richard Brooke Foundation No More Empty Pots Big Garden

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.

For questions regarding Youth Engagement, please contact Youth + Community Director, Jacquline Smith, at jacquline@u-ca.org.

Youth 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.

Union Youth Engagement Interest Survey

Mentoring Young Artists (July to May)

The Mentoring Young Artists program is designed for young artists, ages 16-18 yrs who are interested in gaining hands-on experience as mentors and leaders for youth enrolled in our Saturday programs. This program offers opportunities to build professional skills and relationships with experienced artists, educators, and youth while supporting our goal to increase access to the arts for young people living in and around North Omaha.

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, please email Christie Jones, Learning + Engagement Director, christie@u-ca.org

Meet Our Youth Peer Mentors!

Youth mentor stands at center of a table with young artists looking on

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

Several young people and artist Thalia Rodgers standing in the gallery during a field trip

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.