Kearney Cultural Partners
The Archway
Audubon's Rowe Sanctuary
The Bricks, Downtown Kearney
Buffalo County Historical Society/Trails & Rails Museum
The American Automobile Experience
Crane River Theater
G.W. Frank Museum of History & Culture
Kearney Area Arts Council
Kearney Area Children's Museum
Kearney Artist Guild
Kearney Community Theatre
Kearney Concert Association
Kearney Creates
Kearney Family YMCA
Kearney Public Library
Kearney Symphony Orchestra
Merryman Performing Arts Center
Museum of Nebraska Art
Nebraska Firefighters Museum
Prairie Art Brothers
UNK Theatre & Dance
The World Theatre
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
Downtown Kearney has been officially certified as Kearney’s very first Nebraska Creative District, thanks to the collaborative efforts of Kearney Cultural Partners! Visit creative-district to discover what the area has to offer.
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
Concerts At The Merryman
April 8 Larry Gatlin GRAMMY award winning country star performs “Songs and Stories of a Life Well-Lived.” Hits include “All the Gold in California” and “Broken Lady 7:00 pm “https://merrymancenter.org
KPL Poetry Celebration
April 10 Matt Mason, Nebraska State Poet (2019-2024) April 17 Cowboy Poet Jake Riley April 29 Brad Modlin, UNK Reynolds Chair for Poetry April https://kearney.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=156135 https://kearney.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=156158 https://kearney.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=156358
Fabulous Fridays
April 11 Fabulous Fridays, Common Butterflies, presented by Neil Dankert, Nebraska lepidopterist. 2:00 pm https://www.bchs.us/copy-of-fabulous-fridays-2023
UNK Mariachi Day
April 21 Event features Mariachi Zapata of Omaha and Grupo Folklorico Belleza de Nuestra Tierra in performance and presentations on mariachi, instruments, and folklorico dance. 3:00-4:30 pm UNK Fine Arts Recital Hall https://www.facebook.com/unkmusictheatreanddance
April-cont.
Escape to Margaritaville
April 22-27 Crane River Theater presents Jimmy Buffett’s “Escape to Margaritaville” – an island getaway right here in Kearney! 2:00 & 7:00 pm https://cranerivertheater.org/escape-to-margaritaville/
Healthy Kids Day
April 26 Celebrate Healthy Kids Day at the YMCA. This free community event is packed with fun activities that keep kids active, learning, and developing healthy habits. https://kearneyymca.org/special-programs-healthy-kids-day/
Fundraiser
April 27 Popcorn, Soda, Movie, and Silent Auction at the World Theatre “Smokey and the Bandit.” Showtime-6:30 pm https://www.facebook.com/theamericanautomobileexperience/
KAG Juried Show
April 1-30 The show is a juried exhibit by the members. The awarded pieces will then move forward to the Association of Nebraska Art Clubs Annual Conference in June. The show is on display at Nelson’s Furniture, 2109 Central, Downtown Kearney, in their front windows. https://www.kearneyartistguild.com/
May
Grand Opening, Traveling and Local Exhibit
May 1 “Vaquero: The Genesis of the Texas Cowboy,” a traveling exhibit from Humanities Texas, and a local exhibit, “Dirt, Animals and Clean Fun,” on Buffalo County rodeo, will open on May 1, Trails & Rails Museum, 710 W. 11th St. Kearney, 4-4:30pm, Engineers; 4:30-5pm BCHS members; 5-6pm general public. www.bchs.us/events
Concert At The Merryman
May 2 The Association & The Cowsills. These original groups from the 60’s stunning musicianship combine with hits like “Along Comes Mary” from The Association and “Hair” from The Cowsills. 2PM and 7PM. https://merrymancenter.org/
MONA Grand Reopening
May 3 MONA The Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA) will reopen on Saturday, May 3, 2025. MONA will unveil its revitalized historic building and a brand-new expansion, marking a new chapter for Nebraska’s art and cultural community. 9:30 am – 5:00 pm https://monet.unk.edu/mona/
Jim Witter & Band
May 9 Celebration of hit after hit of Billy Joel with Award winning Canadian recording artist Jim Witter and his incredibly talented band. 7:30 pm http://kearneyconcerts.org
May–cont.
May Fabulous Friday
May 9 Valerie Vierk will share highlights of her grandfather, John Pesek’s illustrious life, from his beginnings as a Buffalo County farm boy to his pinnacle of success as “World Champion Wrestler” in 1937. Trails & Rails Museum, 710 W. 11th St. Kearney, 2-3pm https://www.bchs.us/copy-of-fabulous-fridays-2023
Once Upon A Time
May 22-23 Crane River Theater presents “Once Upon A Time” Celebrating the songs of Disney 7:00 pm Yanney Park https://cranerivertheater.org/once-upon-a-time/