About Us
 About the West Nebraska Arts Center
mission
The West Nebraska Arts Center ( WNAC ) is a cultural non-profit organization committed to education, awareness and excellence in the arts, serving the North Platte Valley Region.
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today at the arts center
Scotts Bluff County and the surrounding region are rich with individuals who value the arts in their lives. We at the West Nebraska Arts Center are committed to provide artists a lively public venue to share their talents with our community. The Arts Center's eclectic programming leads adults and youth to a better understanding and appreciation of the arts. The West Nebraska Arts Center is a non-profit organization supported by those who believe in its mission, including support from national and state arts organizations, a board of directors, a professional staff, dedicated volunteers, and a membership of generous businesses and individuals.
gallery
Our gallery features local and national artists and represents a wide variety of visual art mediums. The lively and rapid-paced gallery schedule showcases a new exhibit each month. The WNAC Gallery also features an annual student art exhibition (Visionaries), a regional group photography exhibition (Image), as well as museum exhibitions.
Recent museum exhibitions at WNAC have featured original artwork by well-known artists such as: Pablo Picasso, Salvidor Dali, Henri Matisse, Rembrandt van Rijn, Wassily Kandinsky, Paul Klee, Joseph Albers, Francesco Scavullo, and Andy Warhol.
The North Platte Valley Artist Guild displays new work by a different Guild member each month in the WNAC Office.
There is no charge to enter the West Nebraska Arts Center Gallery due to the generosity of WNAC Members. Gallery receptions are free and open to the public.
performing arts series
The presentation of live performances of theatre, music and dance is a programming mainstay. Artists of national reputation and Nebraska touring groups are featured such as Kelley Hunt, the Magic & Illusion of Eric Vaughn, the Vienna Boys Choir, the Guthrie Theatre, the Omaha Symphony, David Taylor Dance Theatre, and the Acting Company.
monument children's theater
Our Monument Children's Theater gives the youth of our community professional training in theater arts. MCT productions are scheduled regularly at the historic Midwest Theater in downtown Scottsbluff. Click on "performances" at the right to learn more about MCT performances.
classes
Educational interaction is at the heart of our mission at West Nebraska Arts Cetner. Arts professionals offer studio art classes and workshops to adults and youth.
WNACKY (the West Nebraska Arts Center's Kamp for Youth) offers workshops in visual and performing arts and creative writing to the youth of our community each summer.
community and special events
The West Nebraska Arts Center is a member of the Scottsbluff/Gering United Chamber of Commerce.
WNAC is active in the Scottsbluff/Gering United Chamber of Commerce Adopt-a-School program, partnering with Panhandle COOP, offering students at Longfellow Elementary School guided tours of the Arts Center.
WNAC participates with Scottsbluff High School's Community Based Education Program.
Bach's Lunches in December are a holiday celebration featuring local musicians and culinary art. WNAC is also an active participant in summer art fairs and festivals. Click on "special events" at the right to learn more.
The North Platte Valley Artist Guild meets at WNAC on the third Monday of every month at 7pm. Join in the fun! Participation in NPVAG brings many artist opportunities including alternative showing spaces (area businesses and libraries), showing space in NPVAG art fair booth, showing space in the NPVAG Holiday Show, the NPVAG Newsletter, workshops (during meetings), and much more!
membership
Largely, through our combined memberships we are able to realize our vision at West Nebraska Arts Center. Won't you support the arts in your community? An annual membership to the Arts Center begins at $36. Memberships last for one full year and can be activated at any time.
Memberships also make a great gift! Friends and family will be touched by the contribution made in their name.
Members receive gallery postcards and the WNAC newsletter, a 5% discount on gallery purchases, discounts on studio art classes for adults and youth, discounted tickets to select events, and invitations to members-only special events.
Your personal membership information will NEVER be sold or given to ANYONE outside WNAC.
Make a difference. Enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that you have directly contributed to the cultural value of your community. Please join our efforts by making a tax-deductible membership gift to the West Nebraska Arts Center. There has never been a better time to join! Click on "membership" to the right, or call: 308-632-2226.
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Over the past 39 years the West Nebraska Arts Center experienced growth that placed it in the forefront of arts activities in Nebraska. Throughout the years, hundreds of volunteers have contributed countless hours in the development of arts programming that enriches the quality of life in our community.
The Center is a vital contributor to the community's social and business fabric, attracting investment and tourists. For every dollar spent on the arts, three or more dollars are generated in retail, hotel, restaurant and transportation within the local economy.
The Center is recognized as a major community-based arts organization in Nebraska. The Center coordinates arts education programs, adult education courses and summer performing and visual arts camps. Artist residencies in rural and city schools, summer art classes and workshops held at the Arts Center throughout the year provide opportunities for quality interaction with professional artists that enhance the cultural development of the community. This area of programming reflects the Center's belief in the value of arts as a basic need for human learning.
The West Nebraska Arts Center is grateful for the support we receive from the Nebraska Arts Council.
The Nebraska Arts Council, a state agency, has supported the programs of this organization through its matching grants program funded by the Nebraska Legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment. Visit www.nebraskaartscouncil.org for information on how the Nebraska Arts Council can assist your organization, or how you can support the Nebraska Cultural Endowment, at www.nebraskaculturalendowment.org.
Their leadership along with the support we receive from our members and our community makes our mission possible. THANK YOU!
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History of the West Nebraska Arts Center
the building
The Arts Center sits on the site of the old Campbellite Church. The land was sold to the City Library, July 26, 1921, by St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. With funds obtained from the Carnegie Foundation, the library board constructed the first portion of the present building in 1921 (the west third).
The library moved into the old Carnegie Library in April of 1922 and a large addition was built on the east by WPA grant in 1936.
In September, 1966 the City Library moved to its new location, and the Carnegie Library was lent to Hiram Scott College, for one year, to be used as class space. In May, 1967 the West Nebraska League of Arts became a non-profit corporation. The City of Scottsbluff, recognizing the need for an arts center, leased the building to the new corporation. In 1976 the non-profit corporation changed the name to the West Nebraska Arts Center. 1982 brought renovation of the Historic Registry building to its present state which houses a gallery, upstairs office/storage room, Dorothy Bronson Little Theatre, education/class room, and offices of the Director and Assistant Director.
The West Nebraska Arts Center is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Researched with the assistance of Danielle Bodine, Mrs. J. M. Stoops, and Mrs. Francis Bruce.; 1998, 2002 edited by Susan Selvey; 2006 edited by Mason Burbach.
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wnac hours:
Monday - Friday: 8 to 5
Saturdays: 1 to 5
Closed Sundays
Visit us often!
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contact us
106 East 18th St., Scottsbluff, NE 69363
(308) 632 - 2226
Mason Burbach, Executive Director: wneartsmb@earthlink.net
More Links:Staff and Board of Directors
WNAC Gallery - call for proposals
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