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Omaha, Nebraska

Omaha Arts: Art Scene in Omaha

Discounts
  • The Theatre Arts Guild—Open membership organization that hosts social activities, offers educational opportunities, and gets its members discounts on tickets to many local arts events.

Perhaps no other city in the U.S. conjures up images of middle class, mid-western life more vividly than Omaha. There is, however, more to Nebraska’s largest city than friendly locals and world class steak. Omaha is home to the Holland Performing Arts Center, an acoustically stellar venue for orchestral music, as well as the historic Orpheum Theater, which features professionally produced local and touring productions. Omaha also has a thriving fine arts scene, including the nationally recognized Joslyn Art Museum.

Omaha Arts Information

Art Museums

Joslyn Art Museum

Works by Monet, Degas, El Greco, Jackson Pollock, and Grant Wood are highlights of the permanent collection of Nebraska’s most celebrated art museum. Although Joslyn’s holdings include a wide array of works from antiquity onward, its emphasis is on European and American art from the 19th and 20th centuries. As one would rightly expect of a museum in the heartland, Joslyn has a …more…

Sheldon Museum of Art

The Sheldon Museum of Art (SMA) is located on the urban campus of the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, and its promotional literature says that it contains the world’s largest collection of 20th century North American art.  Its permanent collection comprises a wide variety of visual art, with significant holdings of American impressionism, early Modernism, 19th century landscapes and still …more…

Theater

Blue Barn Theatre

Birthed in the late ‘80s by a group of conservatory grads looking to bring thought-provoking theater to the people, the Blue Barn is now Omaha’s premiere professional theater. The company has a special interest in new plays, and no subject or genre is off-limits (works that are historical, satirical, improvisational, and dramatical have all been seen on the Blue Barn stage). In 2003 …more…

Brigit Saint Brigit Theatre Company

The Brigit Saint Brigit Theatre is dedicated to creating quality professional productions, staging classics and works of literary merit. BSB gives special attention to plays by Irish writers, from Eugene O’Neill to Conor McPherson. Four to six shows are mounted every season, and the theater usually offers a series of classes, workshops, and lectures in conjunction with each production for local schools and …more…

Nebraska Repertory Theatre

Nebraska Repertory Theatre is the professional, Actors’ Equity Association-affiliated performance component of the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film, Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts, at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. The company operates under a University/Resident Theatre contract, and is the only one of its kind in the state.

NRT seeks to present quality theater for the local …more…

Nebraska Shakespeare on the Green

The idea for an outdoor Shakespeare festival in Omaha was first conceived in the 1980s, and the result was the Nebraska Shakespeare Festival, a non-profit professional theatre with a first-year budget of $60,000. Over the years, “Shakespeare on the Green” has become a beloved summer tradition, and the festival has gained national recognition for its high-quality productions as well as for the beauty of its Elmwood Park setting. In addition to …more…

Classical Music

Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra

Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra is a 60+ member ensemble performing the finest in classic repertoire and new works. The orchestra began as the Lincoln Little Symphony Orchestra in 1927 and since then, has grown to the full symphonic ensemble that performs with world-renowned artists including Van Cliburn, Renee Fleming, Yehudi Menuhin and Leon Fleisher. Under the baton of respected conductor, Edward …more…

Omaha Symphony

For almost 90 years, the Omaha Symphony has been a staple in the Midwestern arts scene, performing with high levels of artistry and daring programming. With more than 35 full-time players, the orchestra performs over 25 different programs each season including a Masterworks series, a Pops series, children’s and family concerts, and a number of delightful chamber concerts. Their popular “Symphony Rocks” series, which features orchestral versions of the catalogues …more…

Opera

Opera Omaha

Opera Omaha, once known as the Omaha Civic Opera Society, debuted with Madama Butterfly in 1958, and today the grand opera company puts on three to five productions a year (including, over the last two decades, a large number of world premieres). Opera Omaha has also found many creative ways to spread its love of opera with outreach programs that expose young people and underserved communities to the art …more…

Jazz

Loves Jazz & Arts Center

Omaha was once an important stop for all the touring dance bands of the 30’s and 40’s and North Omaha, where the Center is located, was the heart of African-American culture in the city. The Center celebrates Omaha’s rich jazz and African-American history with a wealth of exhibitions and archives. An eclectic schedule of events including poetry readings, concerts, book …more…

Omaha Riverfront Jazz and Blues Festival

(July) The Omaha Riverfront Jazz and Blues Festival is a mainstay on the national smooth jazz and R&B touring circuit. For two days each year in mid-July the festival sets up its stage at the Lewis and Clark Landing on the Missouri River. The music fills the evenings both days, with several acts each night. The ORJBF features the top-billed names in the smooth jazz and R&B scene, having featured in the past such acts as Spyro Gyra, Boney James and the Average White Band. ...more...

Venues

Holland Performing Arts Center

Public Transportation: Very good (easily accessible by several Omaha Metro bus lines)
Handicapped Accessibility: Good
Performances/Programs: Programming includes Broadway tours, jazz, theater, special events, and more presented throughout the year
Ticket Prices: Ticket prices range widely depending on event
Subscriptions: Subscriptions are available for Broadway, Dance, and Jazz seasons and range from $52–$266, depending on event, date, and seat selection.

Lied Center for the Performing Arts

The Lied Center is known statewide as Nebraska’s Home for the Arts, featuring programs in music, theater, dance, comedy and more, in addition to public gatherings, lectures and forums on local, national and international issues. Opened in 1990, the Lied is a part of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and plays an important role in the academic and cultural life of the …more…

Orpheum Theater

Public Transportation: Very good (easily accessible by several Omaha Metro bus lines)
Handicapped Accessibility: Good
Performances/Programs: Programming includes Broadway tours, jazz, theater, special events, and more presented throughout the year
Ticket Prices: Ticket prices range widely depending on event and venue
Subscriptions: Subscriptions are available for Broadway, Dance, and Jazz seasons and range from $52–$266, depending on event, date, and seat selection.

Art Museums

Joslyn Art Museum

Works by Monet, Degas, El Greco, Jackson Pollock, and Grant Wood are highlights of the permanent collection of Nebraska’s most celebrated art museum. Although Joslyn’s holdings include a wide array of works from antiquity onward, its emphasis is on European and American art from the 19th and 20th centuries. As one would rightly expect of a museum in the heartland, Joslyn has a …more…

Sheldon Museum of Art

The Sheldon Museum of Art (SMA) is located on the urban campus of the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, and its promotional literature says that it contains the world’s largest collection of 20th century North American art.  Its permanent collection comprises a wide variety of visual art, with significant holdings of American impressionism, early Modernism, 19th century landscapes and still …more…

Theater

Blue Barn Theatre

Birthed in the late ‘80s by a group of conservatory grads looking to bring thought-provoking theater to the people, the Blue Barn is now Omaha’s premiere professional theater. The company has a special interest in new plays, and no subject or genre is off-limits (works that are historical, satirical, improvisational, and dramatical have all been seen on the Blue Barn stage). In 2003 …more…

Brigit Saint Brigit Theatre Company

The Brigit Saint Brigit Theatre is dedicated to creating quality professional productions, staging classics and works of literary merit. BSB gives special attention to plays by Irish writers, from Eugene O’Neill to Conor McPherson. Four to six shows are mounted every season, and the theater usually offers a series of classes, workshops, and lectures in conjunction with each production for local schools and …more…

Nebraska Repertory Theatre

Nebraska Repertory Theatre is the professional, Actors’ Equity Association-affiliated performance component of the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film, Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts, at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. The company operates under a University/Resident Theatre contract, and is the only one of its kind in the state.

NRT seeks to present quality theater for the local …more…

Nebraska Shakespeare on the Green

The idea for an outdoor Shakespeare festival in Omaha was first conceived in the 1980s, and the result was the Nebraska Shakespeare Festival, a non-profit professional theatre with a first-year budget of $60,000. Over the years, “Shakespeare on the Green” has become a beloved summer tradition, and the festival has gained national recognition for its high-quality productions as well as for the beauty of its Elmwood Park setting. In addition to …more…

Classical Music

Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra

Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra is a 60+ member ensemble performing the finest in classic repertoire and new works. The orchestra began as the Lincoln Little Symphony Orchestra in 1927 and since then, has grown to the full symphonic ensemble that performs with world-renowned artists including Van Cliburn, Renee Fleming, Yehudi Menuhin and Leon Fleisher. Under the baton of respected conductor, Edward …more…

Omaha Symphony

For almost 90 years, the Omaha Symphony has been a staple in the Midwestern arts scene, performing with high levels of artistry and daring programming. With more than 35 full-time players, the orchestra performs over 25 different programs each season including a Masterworks series, a Pops series, children’s and family concerts, and a number of delightful chamber concerts. Their popular “Symphony Rocks” series, which features orchestral versions of the catalogues …more…

Opera

Opera Omaha

Opera Omaha, once known as the Omaha Civic Opera Society, debuted with Madama Butterfly in 1958, and today the grand opera company puts on three to five productions a year (including, over the last two decades, a large number of world premieres). Opera Omaha has also found many creative ways to spread its love of opera with outreach programs that expose young people and underserved communities to the art …more…

Jazz

Loves Jazz & Arts Center

Omaha was once an important stop for all the touring dance bands of the 30’s and 40’s and North Omaha, where the Center is located, was the heart of African-American culture in the city. The Center celebrates Omaha’s rich jazz and African-American history with a wealth of exhibitions and archives. An eclectic schedule of events including poetry readings, concerts, book …more…

Omaha Riverfront Jazz and Blues Festival

(July) The Omaha Riverfront Jazz and Blues Festival is a mainstay on the national smooth jazz and R&B touring circuit. For two days each year in mid-July the festival sets up its stage at the Lewis and Clark Landing on the Missouri River. The music fills the evenings both days, with several acts each night. The ORJBF features the top-billed names in the smooth jazz and R&B scene, having featured in the past such acts as Spyro Gyra, Boney James and the Average White Band. ...more...

Venues

Holland Performing Arts Center

Public Transportation: Very good (easily accessible by several Omaha Metro bus lines)
Handicapped Accessibility: Good
Performances/Programs: Programming includes Broadway tours, jazz, theater, special events, and more presented throughout the year
Ticket Prices: Ticket prices range widely depending on event
Subscriptions: Subscriptions are available for Broadway, Dance, and Jazz seasons and range from $52–$266, depending on event, date, and seat selection.

Lied Center for the Performing Arts

The Lied Center is known statewide as Nebraska’s Home for the Arts, featuring programs in music, theater, dance, comedy and more, in addition to public gatherings, lectures and forums on local, national and international issues. Opened in 1990, the Lied is a part of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and plays an important role in the academic and cultural life of the …more…

Orpheum Theater

Public Transportation: Very good (easily accessible by several Omaha Metro bus lines)
Handicapped Accessibility: Good
Performances/Programs: Programming includes Broadway tours, jazz, theater, special events, and more presented throughout the year
Ticket Prices: Ticket prices range widely depending on event and venue
Subscriptions: Subscriptions are available for Broadway, Dance, and Jazz seasons and range from $52–$266, depending on event, date, and seat selection.