Museum of Nebraska Art MONA

The Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA) is a non-profit museum located in Kearney, Nebraska. Established with a mission to celebrate the history of visual art in the state, MONA is staffed by a team of five dedicated individuals. MONA focuses on collecting, preserving, researching, exhibiting, and interpreting the work of artists with ties to Nebraska, including those born, lived, trained, or worked in the state, as well as artists whose work reflects Nebraska's cultural landscape. The museum's permanent collection boasts a diverse array of artworks, ranging from pieces by artist-explorers like George Catlin and American master Robert Henri to Thomas Hart Benton's original illustrations for "The Oregon Trail." Notably, MONA proudly houses one of the nation's most extensive collections of wildlife art by John James Audubon. Complementing its permanent collection, MONA showcases contemporary Nebraska artists through its rotating exhibitions in the Gail Walling Yanney Skylight Gallery. The Cliff Hillegass Sculpture Garden provides a serene outdoor space for visitors to appreciate sculptures. MONA's commitment to education is evident in its programs, which include tours and hands-on workshops for students and adults, fostering a deeper understanding of the artwork and its historical context. Through its outreach program called ARTreach, MONA makes touring exhibitions featuring original works from its permanent collection accessible to venues throughout Nebraska. For more information about MONA's exhibitions, events, and educational programs, please visit their website at mona.unk.edu.