Kearney Cultural Partners

Dedicated to bringing a rich assortment of art, music, dance, theater, movies, history, literature, and family fun to Kearney residents and visitors all year round.

The Archway

Share an epic adventure in American history that your whole family will enjoy.

Audubon's Rowe Sanctuary

Focused on the conservation of the Platte River ecosystem and the birds that rely on it.

The Bricks, Downtown Kearney

Come experience some of the best dining, shopping, and entertainment in Kearney!

Buffalo County Historical Society/Trails & Rails Museum

Preserving our past, moving toward our future.

The American Automobile Experience

An entertaining, artful perspective on the major role that the automobile has played in our history, culture, industry, and innovation.

Crane River Theater

Breathtaking scenery, award-winning costumes, artful direction, and Broadway-caliber talent right here in Kearney!

G.W. Frank Museum of History & Culture

Located in a beautiful 1890 Gilded Age mansion, we offer a unique window into local history.

Kearney Area Arts Council

Since 1976, KAAC has promoted the arts in our community through Concerts in the Park, scholarships, and funding local arts events.

Kearney Area Children's Museum

We inspire play, exploration, and discovery through interactive experiences.

Kearney Area Storytelling Festival

Professional storytellers—along with area tellers—present the art of storytelling

Kearney Artist Guild

Enhancing the creative art experience in Kearney with 50+ years of Art In The Park.

Kearney Concert Association

Bringing Great Performances To Central Nebraska Since 1948.

Kearney Creates

We chronicle and celebrate the outpouring of creativity unique to the heart of Kearney Nebraska.

Kearney Family YMCA

Discover the Creative Arts at the Y.

Kearney Public Library

Books, technology, and a makerspace to spark your imagination and feed your mind!

Kearney Symphony Orchestra

Creating musical traditions for over 100 years.

Merryman Performing Arts Center

Serving Central Nebraska as a regional cultural center, this historical theater presents exceptional nationally touring music, theater, and family programming.

Museum of Nebraska Art

Where the power of art captures the spirit of Nebraska.

Nebraska Firefighters Museum

Dedicated to the importance of fire prevention and to the courageous firefighters of Nebraska – past, present, and future.

Prairie Poets & Writers Presents

Poetry on the prairie.

UNK Art & Design

Guiding and inspiring students to become problem solvers that utilize technical processes, creative exploration, and critical thinking applicable to their personal and professional pursuits.

UNK Music & Theatre

A place for young artisans to learn and express their love of music and theatre.

The World Theatre

See classic, family, and independent films in Downtown Kearney.
Kearney YMCA Creative Arts Students Rowe Sanctuary Crane River Theater Kearney Artist Guild

About

Kearney
Cultural
Partners

The Kearney Cultural Partners is a group of vital organizations that are dedicated to bringing a rich assortment of art, music, dance, theater, movies, history, literature, and family fun to Kearney residents and visitors all year round.

The Bricks Creative District is excited to announce it has been awarded a $100,000 Development Grant from the Nebraska Arts Council to support continued growth and investment in arts and culture in downtown Kearney.

The funding will help advance several initiatives designed to enhance the district, including the development of an Art Alleyways project, expanded artistic programming, and the engagement of an assistant to support the district’s growing efforts.

Downtown Kearney, aka “The Bricks,” has been officially certified as Kearney’s very first Nebraska Creative District, thanks to the collaborative efforts of Kearney Cultural Partners! Enjoy the video, then visit creative-district to discover what the area has to offer.

@thecornbelt

In the middle of the middle of the US #nebraska #kearneynebraska @Kearney Visitors Bureau

♬ original sound – The Corn Belt
Take a self-guided mural tour and discover over a dozen murals that turn Downtown Kearney on the Bricks into a walkable gallery.

The Bricks Creative District Murals with pictures and their locations for an easy self-guided tour.

Kearney Makes Top 100 Most Arts-Vibrant Communities

Monthly Featured Events

We will be featuring KCP members and their events, giving you a chance to meet the partners, see the great events that are planned and help you “Find The Fun” in Kearney.

April

Crane Season Programs & Events

April 1-April 7
This year for crane season, you can now book special events and programs in addition to your guided viewing experience. https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/roweaudubon/items/?flow=1317550&full-items=yes


EGG-stravaganza

April 2
Hop on over for egg-citing activities, games, and goodies! 4:30, 5:30, 6:30 Registration required https://kearneychildrensmuseum.org/


Jazz at the World

April 6 Take in the music, or take part in it by bringing your own instrument and join the band. Please join us for this unique, interactive event. No charge for admission, but donations are appreciated. https://www.theworldtheatre.org/about-us/events/jazz-at-the-world-2/


Brown Bag History

April 8
Dr. Nathan Tye will be presenting “A Literary History of the Platte River.” 12-1:00 pm, Platte Room, Kearney Public Library. https://kearney.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=280194


April cont.

Healthy Kids Day

April 18 Families can enjoy FREE activities focused on active play, nutrition education, STEM, the arts, and more 2:00pm – 4:00pm
No registration required
FREE admission to the Y all day
All ages welcome https://kearneyymca.org/

CeCe Teneal

April 21 Celebrating thirty years of chart-topping music from the Disco Era to Broadway to Pop. CeCe has performed in over 47 countries and opened for the legendary B.B. King. Part of the Kearney Concert Association series. 7:30 pm. For Information & Memberships kearneyconcerts.org

Steel Magnolias

April 23-28 Filled with sparkling humor and heartfelt emotion, Steel Magnolias celebrates the power of community and the bonds that lift us up when life gets tough. For tickets and information: https://cranerivertheater.org/steel-magnolias/

Kearney Symphony

April 28 Concert: “American Semiquincentennial”Commemorating the birthdays of Samuel Barber, Aaron Copland, KSO, and America, this program will feature the second UNK Concerto-Aria winner. https://www.unk.edu/kso/attend/index.php


May

Freedom: History of US

May 1-8 Final days to see this exhibition that traces the evolving concept of freedom from the founding era to the election of Barack Obama. https://visitkearney.org/event/new-traveling-exhibit-opening-trails-rails-museum-4/


Jazz at the World

May 4 Take in the music, or take part in it by bringing your own instrument and join the band. Please join us for this unique, interactive event. No charge for admission, but donations are appreciated. 7:00 pm https://www.theworldtheatre.org/about-us/events/jazz-at-the-world-2/


MONA Book Club

May 5 MONA’s Book Club is for avid readers whose interests lie in authors from Nebraska or reading about Nebraska or art are welcome, and may join at any time. May – The Fishermen by Chigozie Obioma FREE 10:30-11;30 am https://mona.unk.edu/events/category/programs/


Fabulous Fridays

May 8 Fabulous Fridays Speaker Series. May will feature Camie Lentfer on the History of Gibbon’s 4th of July Celebration. 2:00 pm Buffalo County Historical Society/Trails & Rails Museum https://www.bchs.us/copy-of-fabulous-fridays-2023


May cont.

M5 The Mexican Brass

May 11 A world-class ensemble seamlessly blending virtuosic musicianship, non-stop audience interaction and showmanship to produce a great musical-theatrical experience! Part of the Kearney Concert Association series. 7:30 pm. For Information & Memberships http://kearneyconcerts.org


Brown Bag Series

May 13 You are invited to the continuing “Brown Bag” series, hosted by the library, in partnership with the UNK History Department. Presenters will focus on a different historical topic in each session. You are welcome to bring your lunch. 12:00-1:00 pm. Platte Room. https://kearney.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=325050

Immigration: An American Story

May 18-June 12 presents documents, maps, and images to tell selected stories of those who came to America, https://visitkearney.org/event/new-traveling-exhibit-opening-trails-rails-museum-5/