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Omaha, Nebraska, offers a rich arts and culture scene that adds depth to your Executive Forum visit. From the world-class Joslyn Art Museum to the historic Omaha Community Playhouse, the city showcases a wide range of visual and performing arts, as well as shopping and culinary options. Vibrant public art, live music venues and creative neighborhoods like the Old Market District enhance Omaha’s appeal, offering forum participants plenty to explore.

Within Walking Distance (less than 0.5 miles)

Art & Museums

• The Durham Museum – The Durham Museum is located in Omaha’s beautiful art deco Union Station, houses an extraordinary array of permanent exhibits including restored train cars, 1940s store fronts, numerous artifacts showing the history of the region and the Byron Reed collection which includes some of the world’s rarest coins and documents.
• Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts – Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts facilitates the creation, presentation and understanding of contemporary art through an international residency program, exhibitions and educational programs. Bemis endeavors to inspire an open dialogue on the critical issues that give shape and meaning to the human condition.

BLUEBARN Theatre

• KANEKO – KANEKO is an interdisciplinary cultural organization founded with the mission of exploring creativity across the whole spectrum of human activity—including art, science, philosophy, entrepreneurship, urban planning and education. Established in three refurbished historic warehouses in Omaha’s Old Market by internationally renowned sculptor Jun Kaneko and his wife Ree, KANEKO was conceived of as “open space for your mind,” a place where thoughtful examination of others’ ideas through a variety of exhibitions and public programs leads us to new and exciting ideas of our own.
• Orpheum Theater – Omaha’s celebrated Orpheum Theater has served as the home of the finest in local and national performing arts for nearly a century, including the best of Broadway’s national touring companies.
• Holland Performing Arts Center – Owned and operated by Omaha Performing Arts, the acoustically acclaimed Holland Performing Arts Center hosts the world’s finest performing artists and ensembles, as well as a variety of educational and outreach activities.
• BLUEBARN Theatre – BLUEBARN Theatre is Omaha’s premier professional theatre. Since its founding in 1989, it has produced more than 100 plays. The theatre stages distinct perspectives, new voices and provocative work.

Historic District & Public Spaces

Gene Leahy Mall

• Old Market District – Omaha’s Old Market Art & Entertainment District is a lively, historic neighborhood. Cobblestone streets, brick buildings and vintage charm add to the ambience of shopping, dining and exploring. Dining in the Old Market is a culinary adventure, with standout restaurants including Le Bouillon for modern French cuisine, Twisted Fork for cowboy-inspired comfort food and Plank Seafood Provisions for oysters and grilled seafood. Art lovers can explore rotating exhibits at KANEKO, Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, Artists’ Cooperative Gallery and the Old Market Artists Gallery.
• Gene Leahy Mall – A longtime and iconic feature of downtown Omaha, Gene Leahy Mall is the most urban of The RiverFront’s three parks. Revitalized in 2019, a number of new features include a performance pavilion for live music, a sculpture garden filled with interesting works of art, a state-of-the-art playground and a modern dog park.

FArther Afield

Courtesy of El Museo Latino

• El Museo Latino – El Museo Latino is the first Latino art and history museum and cultural center in the Midwest. View world-class permanent and traveling exhibitions featuring local, national and international Latino art and culture. Bilingual educational programs are offered year-round with exhibits, including workshops, lectures and demonstrations, with ongoing art, theater, dance and music classes. Special events include concerts by local and visiting artists, and performances by “CHOMARI” Ballet Folklorico Mexicano.
• Joslyn Art Museum – The Joslyn’s collection of over 12,000 objects represents 5,000 years of human creativity and the world’s diverse cultures. The campus comprises three stunning buildings—distinct yet connected—surrounded by sculpture gardens. Learning and engagement opportunities abound and general admission is free to all, always.
• Omaha Children’s Museum – Omaha Children’s Museum is the most visited museum in Nebraska and features outstanding interactive permanent exhibits focused on art, science and early childhood education. Exhibits include giant ball machines, a kid-sized grocery store, tire and service center, science and technology lab, maker-space, art studio and much more! Traveling exhibits, daily educational programs, special events, food and gift shop are also featured.
• Omaha Community Playhouse – Founded in 1924, the Omaha Community Playhouse was created as part of the nation’s Little Theatre movement and is the largest community theatre in the nation. It features local talent both on stage and behind the scenes and achieves production values comparable to a professional theater.

The Union for Contemporary Art

• Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium – Voted the number-one zoo in the United States, the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is widely considered the world’s largest zoo. It’s recognized for its combination of large land area, diverse collection of animal species and features like the world’s largest indoor desert and swamp.
• The Union for Contemporary Art – The Union for Contemporary Art is committed to strengthening the creative culture of the greater Omaha area by providing direct support to local artists and increasing the visibility of contemporary art forms in our community.