List of museums and cultural institutions in Omaha, Nebraska

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

Omaha Civic Auditorium

There are many cultural institutions and museums in Omaha, Nebraska. The city has a major museum, and several regionally important museums. ^{[1] [2]}

Museums

Omaha Children's Museum

Holland Performing Arts Center

The atrium of the Joslyn Art Museum. Dale Chihuly's Chihuly: Inside and Out can be seen at the far end.

Great Plains Black History Museum

General Crook House Museum

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo

Joslyn Castle

Rose Theatre

Orpheum Theatre

Omaha Community Playhouse

Art

• The Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, just south of Omaha's Old Market Historic District, was founded in the early 1980s and plays host to artists from all over the world. It is one of the nation's premier artists' colonies. ^[3]
• Bemis was co-founded by Ree Kaneko, wife of famed Japanese American artist Jun Kaneko. They live in Omaha, and opened a museum called The Kaneko in 2007. ^[4]
• Samuel Bak Museum: The Learning Center opened at the University of Nebraska at Omaha in February 2023. The museum holds over 500 paintings by Lithuanian American artist and Holocaust survivor Samuel Bak. ^[5]

Art (encyclopedic collection)

Further information: Culture in Omaha, Nebraska

• The Joslyn Art Museum is nationally renowned for its collections of Native American art and art works relating to the early European exploration of western North America. ^[6]

Botanic conservatory

• Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha's Botanical Center

Children's

• Since its inception in 1976, Omaha Children's Museum has been a place where children can challenge themselves, discover how the world works and learn through play.
• The Kiewit Luminarium, a science museum on Omaha's riverfront, is scheduled to open in April 2023. ^[7]

Cultural

Further information: Ethnic groups in Omaha, Nebraska

• Sokol South Omaha Czechoslovak Museum
• El Museo Latino celebrates the legacy, art and culture of Latin America, and is the first Latino art and history museum in Omaha.
• The Great Plains Black History Museum, celebrating the legacy of African Americans in Omaha and throughout the Great Plains.
• Henry and Dorothy Riekes Museum, located at the Staenberg Kooper Fellman Campus of the Jewish Federation of Omaha

History

Further information: History of Omaha, Nebraska

• The Durham Museum is located on 10th Street in the art deco Union Station. The museum has numerous permanent exhibits and is accredited with the Smithsonian Institution for traveling exhibits from the Smithsonian. ^[8]

Specialized and historical

• Bank of Florence Museum
• Batchelder Family Scout Museum
• Boys Town Hall of History
• Florence Depot
• Florence Mill
• Freedom Park Navy Museum
• The General Crook House Museum at Fort Omaha, exploring the role of the U.S. Army during the Indian Wars of the 1900s, is part of the Douglas County Historical Society. ^[9]
• Gerald R. Ford Birthsite and Gardens
• Joslyn Castle
• Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Headquarters and Visitor Center
• Mormon Trail Center at Historic Winter Quarters
• Nebraska School for the Deaf Museum
• Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame
• Omaha Home for Boys Visitors Center History Museum
• Trinity Cathedral Historical Society

Zoological

• Fontenelle Forest
• Henry Doorly Zoo
• Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari

Libraries

Further information: Education in Omaha, Nebraska

• Omaha Public Library
• University Libraries, University of Nebraska Omaha

Festivals and fairs

• Maha Music Festival
• Native Omaha Days
• Omaha Blues, Jazz, & Gospel Festival
• Red Sky Music Festival

Music, theater and performing arts

Further information: Music in Omaha, Nebraska

• Astro Theater
• CHI Health Center Omaha
• Cog Factory
• Creighton Orpheum Theater
• Holland Performing Arts Center
• Omaha Civic Auditorium
• Omaha Community Playhouse
• Sokol Underground

Dance

• Omaha Academy of Ballet
• The Rose

Opera

• Opera Omaha

Recording studios

• Saddle Creek Records

Symphony

• Omaha Symphony Orchestra

Theater

Further information: Theatre in Omaha

• Blue Barn Theatre
• Magic Theatre
• Shelterbelt Theatre

Not-for-profit and university galleries

• John Beasley Theater
• Loves Jazz and Arts Center

References

1. Museums in Omaha, Nebraska Archived 2012-09-03 at archive.today . Nebraska Museums Association. Retrieved 10/8/11.
2. "Nebraska Museums" ^{[ usurped ]}, Nebraska State Historical Society. Retrieved 10/8/11.
3. (2006) Insight Omaha: The Art of it All Archived 2007-06-27 at the Wayback Machine . Hemispheres Magazine. Retrieved 6/7/07.
4. (nd) History Archived 2005-08-24 at the Wayback Machine . The Rows at SoMa website. Retrieved 6/7/07.
5. "The Samuel Bak Museum opens at the University of Nebraska Omaha". KMTV. February 5, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
6. (nd) Smithsonian Affiliations. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 6/7/07. Archived 2007-06-12 at the Wayback Machine
7. Cordes, Henry (January 29, 2023). "Riverfront Luminarium serious about making science accessible for all". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
8. (nd) History Archived 2007-06-30 at the Wayback Machine . Durham Western Heritage Museum. Retrieved 6/7/07.
9. (nd) General Crook House Museum Archived 2007-08-13 at the Wayback Machine . Douglas County Historical Society. Retrieved 6/9/07.

See also

• Culture of Omaha, Nebraska
• List of museums in Nebraska