Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts

What Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts does

Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization founded in 1981 and headquartered in a 100,000 sq. ft. historic warehouse (the McCord-Brady building) in Omaha, Nebraska's Old Market district. The organization facilitates the creation, presentation, and understanding of contemporary art through an international Artist-in-Residence Program (with specialized tracks in Sound Art + Experimental Music and Curator-in-Residence), a free public Exhibition Program, the LOW END live music venue, and a portfolio of public programs including ARTalks, workshops, and panel discussions. Since founding, more than 1,800 artists have participated in residencies or exhibited at Bemis, supported by dedicated facilities including a 9,000 sq. ft. Okada Sculpture + Ceramics Facility.

Revenue is generated through a diversified nonprofit model: individual donations ($50–$2,500+ tiers), annual memberships ($45–$1,500 across four tiers), corporate sponsorships (up to $25,000 Presenting), grants from major foundations and government arts agencies (The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, NEA, Nebraska Arts Council, Humanities Nebraska), and the annual Benefit Art Auction featuring approximately 300 works. All exhibitions are offered free to the public. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors led by Board President Todd Simon and operates under Executive Director Chris Cook. A planned 2027–2028 residency pause for capital improvements at the downtown facility indicates an upcoming major renovation campaign, supported by a newly hired Capital Campaign Coordinator in 2025.

Name

Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts

Legal name

Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts

Website

https://bemiscenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1981 in Omaha, Nebraska that supports contemporary artists through international residencies, free exhibitions, and the LOW END experimental music venue, serving over 1,800 artists and the public since inception.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Contemporary Arts and Cultural Services

NAICS

Museums (71211), Other Performing Arts Companies (711190)

akta.pro primary industry

Cultural Centers & Multidisciplinary Arts Institutions (THAJADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Arts & Culture Service/Support Organizations (Networks, Advocacy, Capacity Building) (BPAGAHAL), Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums) (THAHAAAG), Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM), Public Art, Arts Councils & Grantmaking Programs (BPAGAHAH)

Keywords

• Artist residency programs
• Contemporary art exhibitions
• Arts nonprofit organization
• Experimental music venue
• Public arts education

Headquarters

HQ city

Omaha

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting the organization's mission and programs. Various donation levels from $50 to $2,500 or other amounts.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsorship revenue from businesses supporting exhibitions, programs, residency, and events at various levels (Nexus $1,160 to Presenting $25,000).
3. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees at various levels (Artists/Students $45, Base $75, Core $150, Epicenter $1,500) with benefits including discounts, event invitations, and exclusive access.
4. Benefit Art Auction: Annual auction generating revenue from artwork sales with approximately 300 works. Artists receive up to 50% commission; other proceeds support Bemis programs.
5. Grant Funding: Support from foundations and government arts organizations including The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, NEA, Nebraska Arts Council, Humanities Nebraska, and other institutional funders.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization that facilitates the creation, presentation, and understanding of contemporary art through an international Artist-in-Residence Program, free public exhibitions, public programs, and the LOW END music venue for sound art and experimental music. It also operates specialized tracks including Curator-in-Residence, Community Tracks for local musicians, an Alumni Program, an annual Benefit Art Auction, and an Internship Program.

Product overview

Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts is a nonprofit arts organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs centered on facilitating the creation, presentation, and understanding of contemporary art. The core offerings include an international Artist-in-Residence Program (with specialized tracks in Sound Art + Experimental Music and Curator-in-Residence), a robust Exhibition Program featuring solo and group shows, and Public Programs including artist-led workshops, ARTalks, and performances. The organization operates LOW END, a dedicated music venue for experimental sound art. Additional programs include the Alumni Program for former residents/exhibiting artists, Community Tracks for local sound artists, an annual Benefit Art Auction, and a Summer Internship Program. All exhibitions and core programs are offered free to the public.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Artist-in-Residence Program International residency program providing artists private live/work studios, financial support, technical/administrative assistance, and opportunities for intellectual discourse about contemporary art. More than 1,800 artists have participated since 1981.
• Sound Art + Experimental Music Program Specialized track within the Residency Program for artists working in sound, composition, voice, and music of all genres, including dedicated facilities for rehearsing, recording, performing, and financial/technical/administrative support.
• LOW END Music Venue Bemis Center's music venue featuring free live shows by local, national, and international sound artists, composers, and experimental musicians in a custom-designed performance space with recording and rehearsal capabilities.
• Exhibition Program Exhibition program featuring solo and group exhibitions of artwork in all media by local, national, and international artists. Exhibitions are always free and open to the public.
• Public Programs Artist-driven community-responsive programs including artist-led workshops, ARTalks, open studios, panel discussions, film screenings, and performances providing direct access to artists.
• Curator-in-Residence Program Specialized residency track established in 2017 as the first of its kind in Nebraska, providing curators the opportunity to serve as professional resources to artists-in-residence and the Greater Omaha arts community, and to organize exhibitions and public programs.
• Alumni Program Program designed for artists who have participated in Bemis Center's Residency Program or exhibited at Bemis, providing financial resources, professional networking opportunities, and the annual Ree Kaneko Award and Alumni Award.
• Community Tracks Regional program for musicians, composers, and multidisciplinary artists working in experimental sound and music within 80 miles of Omaha, providing a $1,000 stipend plus free access to rehearsal space, recording studio, audio equipment, and audio engineer support.
• Benefit Art Auction Annual October fundraising event and Omaha's premier celebration of contemporary art, featuring approximately 300 works selected for the Benefit Art Auction Exhibition, with proceeds supporting participating artists and Bemis Center programs.
• Internship Program Summer internship program for students to assist staff and artists-in-residence with artistic and collaborative projects that help run the organization, execute exhibitions, deliver programs, and support artists in the creation of new art.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 1,800 artists have participated in the residency or exhibited at Bemis since 1981
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of Nebraska-Lincoln (FACT program)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFACT (Fabrication and Construction Team) design-build program collaborated with Jeff Day on LOW END space design and construction with students
• American Alliance of MuseumsminorOthersMember of American Alliance of Museums
• Americans for the ArtsminorOthersMember of Americans for the Arts; Todd Simon serves on Business Committee for the Arts
• Alliance of Artists CommunitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvocacy and service organization for artist residency programs; Ree Kaneko is founding board member
• Brickway Brewery & DistilleryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner offering 10% discount to Bemis members
• Le Bouillon's Howard Street Wine MerchantminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner offering 10% discount to Bemis members
• KANEKOminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in Omaha's arts community
• Omaha Community OrganizationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with 20+ local organizations including 13th & Leavenworth Garden, Asian Community and Cultural Center, The Big Garden, Big Muddy Urban Farm, Black and Pink National, Heartland Family Service, Immigrant Legal Center, and others for exhibition-related programming

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• MacDowell: One of the oldest and largest artist residency programs in the U.S., providing studio space and residencies to artists across many disciplines. Directly comparable to Bemis in mission, structure, and applicant pool.
• The Kitchen: New York nonprofit presenting experimental contemporary art, music, dance, and performance. Comparable as a presenter of experimental sound and contemporary art programming through a nonprofit venue model.
• Hyde Park Art Center: Chicago-based contemporary art center offering exhibitions, residencies, and educational programs free to the public. Comparable free-admission, multi-program nonprofit contemporary arts model with community focus.
• Anderson Center at Tower View: Minnesota-based artist residency and program space serving Midwest and international artists. Comparable residency model with similar programming tracks, including sound/music-adjacent programming.
• Yaddo: Historic artist residency in Saratoga Springs, NY offering residencies to artists across disciplines. Comparable international artist-residency model with similar application-based selection and community-of-artists ethos.
• Headlands Center for the Arts: Bay Area-based artist residency program with dedicated studio and program facilities. Closely mirrors Bemis's blend of residency, exhibition, and public programming at a multi-building site.
• Joan Mitchell Center: New Orleans-based residency and program space for visual artists, providing studios and programming support. Comparable residency-plus-public-program model serving both artists and community audiences.
• Skowhegan School of Painting & Sculpture: Independent residency program for emerging and established artists, widely regarded as one of the most prestigious in the United States. Directly comparable to Bemis in providing dedicated time, space, and community for artists to create new work.

Broad incumbents

• Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art: Kansas City museum focused on modern and contemporary art, with free general admission. Comparable as a free-admission Midwestern contemporary art institution; Executive Director Chris Cook previously led this museum.

Regional players

• KANEKO: Omaha-based nonprofit exploring creativity through exhibitions and programs. Comparable as a peer arts organization in the same Omaha ecosystem, named after co-founder Jun Kaneko's family.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/bemiscenter
• YouTubevimeo.com/bemiscenter
• Facebookfacebook.com/bemiscenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bemis-center-for-contemporary-arts
• Instagraminstagram.com/bemiscenter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts