The Union for Contemporary Art

The Union for Contemporary Art

Social Change Through Art + Community

The Union for Contemporary Art “strives to unite artists and the community to inspire positive social change in North Omaha.” The Union took this vision to heart when they began their search for a larger facility in which to house their expanding program needs. They focused in on a vacant building in a prominent North Omaha location that was once a lively commercial and entertainment node. The new space is five times the size of The Union’s original home, allowing the organization to expand its program offerings.

Project

Location
Omaha, NE

Size
21,750 SF

Scope of Work
Renovation

Date of Completion 
2016

Honors + Awards
2017 AIA Central States Honor Award

Website
u-ca.org

The Union for Contemporary Art
The Union for Contemporary Art - historic

Over the years, it housed an auto repair shop; an agricultural supplier; a candy shop; a jazz club; and the offices of two African-American community leaders, dentist Craig Morris and doctor J.H. Hutten. Most recently, it was a workforce development office for a nonprofit agency.

The Union for Contemporary Art
The Union for Contemporary Art
The Union for Contemporary Art
The Union for Contemporary Art

The Union created 1,700 sq. ft. of exhibition and performance space in a gallery dedicated to the memory of local artist, Wanda D. Ewing.

The Union for Contemporary Art
The Union for Contemporary Art
The Union for Contemporary Art

“The APMA staff led our renovation team – helping to breathe new life into a building that has immeasurable cultural significance for our community and ensuring that it will stand to serve our community for another 100 years.”

– Brigitte McQueen-Shew
Executive Director

The Union for Contemporary Art

The new space has allowed The Union to increase its capacity and ability to better serve its mission by creating opportunities for them to expand their youth mentoring programs from 15 to upwards of 80 children.

The Union for Contemporary Art
The Union for Contemporary Art

Enhance their artist residency program through upgraded studio facilities and broadening the program’s impact on the professional development of local artists.

The Union for Contemporary Art
The Union for Contemporary Art

The Union was able to promote North 24th Street as a growing arts and culture district by anchoring a multi-million investment into a first-class facility.

The Union for Contemporary Art
The Union for Contemporary Art

Photography by: Dana Damewood

Related Projects

Office

Omaha
1516 Cuming Street
Omaha, Nebraska 68102
p 402.341.1544
f  402.341.4735

Red Oak
302 East Coolbaugh Street
Red Oak, Iowa 51566
p 712.623.6888

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