Nebraska: Historic Posters Reimagined

Poster by Bart Vargas

Nebraska has a long history of circulating posters encouraging social action. During times of crisis, conflict and change, posters have been an inexpensive and accessible medium for public messaging around topics like rationing, volunteerism and solidarity. Recognizing that 2020 has been a year of challenge and change, the Nebraska Arts Council, in collaboration with History Nebraska, invited Nebraska artists to reimagine this tradition.

The Nebraska Arts Council issued a call for artists entitled Historic Posters Re-imagined, 2020 History in the Making. Nebraska artists selected a theme and design concept to encourage safe practices, social change, community investment, racial equity, voter participation and more. Each artist represented a message relevant to the events and community experiences of 2020 while drawing inspiration from the design qualities of historic posters.

A selection committee adjudicated the submissions and chose 10 artists to create posters. Artists received $250 upon selection and $250 upon completion of their poster. The artists submitted their posters digitally, and History Nebraska hired a local print shop to create a limited edition of 11″x17″ archival prints. Each print is now available for sale at the Nebraska History Museum in Lincoln for $35, and a portion of each sale returns to the artists. History Nebraska will retain one print for its collection, mount an online exhibition and use the posters in future History Nebraska exhibitions. To learn more, contact Nebraska Arts Council Public Art and Artist Programs Specialist Meagan Dion.