2026 Nebraska Statewide Arts Conference

Welcome to Kearney

We are looking forward to seeing you in Kearney! This guide covers what you need to know about getting here, getting around, where to stay, and access, comfort, and health at the conference. If this is your first Statewide Arts Conference, welcome — this is a friendly, low-pressure gathering of people who care about the arts in Nebraska. There is no formal dress code, no wrong questions, and plenty of time to meet others. Come as you are.

Access, accommodations & good-to-knows

ASL and audio description

If you need ASL interpretation or audio description at the conference, please let us know as early as possible and no later than Wednesday, August 19 (about two weeks before the conference) so we have time to arrange it. Requests made after that date will still be honored to the best of our ability. An ASL interpreter will be on site all day on Thursday, September 3rd. Please reach out if you will need interpretation on Wednesday, September 2nd and we’ll get it arranged.

Accessible parking & other accommodations

You can note any accommodation you need in the accessibility accommodations field on the registration form above, or contact Joshua directly. To reserve an accessible parking space near a specific venue, please ask by August 19. Requests made closer to the event will still be honored to the best of our ability.

Dietary needs

Use the food allergies or alternatives field on the registration form above, or tell us by August 19, so we can plan accordingly.

Dress code

There is no formal dress code — wear what makes you comfortable. We will move between several venues, some indoors and one outdoors, so comfortable walking shoes and layers are a good idea. Bring a light jacket or weather-appropriate layer for the outdoor sculpture rededication on Thursday.

Alcohol

Alcohol will not be provided as part of the conference, though some venues and evening events may serve or allow it.

COVID health & safety

Masking will not be required, but masks will be available for anyone who wants to take precautions. If you feel sick, please stay home — we will have important conversations, but nothing is more important than your health and the safety of those attending.

Weather

Most sessions are indoors, but this is Nebraska, and one event (the I-80 sculpture rededication) is outdoors. If weather threatens to disrupt the conference, we will email you about any changes to the plan, so keep an eye on your inbox.

Getting around Kearney

Kearney has two hubs for this conference. Knowing the difference will save you time.

• Downtown — the Bricks Creative District. All conference programming happens here (Legacy on the Bricks, the Museum of Nebraska Art, and the Kearney Public Library). These venues sit close together along and near Central Avenue, so once you are downtown you can walk between most sessions.
• Younes Campus — off I-80. The room-block hotels (Comfort Inn and La Quinta) are here, about 1.5 miles south of downtown — roughly a 5-minute drive. It is not a comfortable walk, so plan to drive between your hotel and downtown.

Parking

• At the hotels (Younes Campus): parking is free and ample.
• Downtown: parking is on the street and in nearby public lots — see the parking map above. Give yourself a few extra minutes in the morning to find a spot and walk to registration.

Rideshare is available in Kearney but can be limited; do not count on an instant pickup.

The two days at a glance

Below is the shape of each day so you can plan. Session names are drawn from the working agenda; times, sessions, and rooms are still subject to change, and the final version will be in your printed program.

Wednesday, September 2 — Creative District Assembly

Thursday, September 3 — Statewide Arts Conference

Special event: I-80 Wind Sculpture rededication

On Thursday afternoon we will gather to rededicate the Nebraska Wind Sculpture at the I-80 exit just west of Kearney. This event is outdoors, so dress for the weather — a light jacket, sun protection, and comfortable shoes are all smart.

Venue access guide

Here is what to expect at each conference venue — physical accessibility, wi-fi and tech, food and drink, parking, and restrooms. All venues are wheelchair accessible. If you have any questions about a specific space, contact Joshua before the conference.

Legacy on the Bricks

16 W 21st St, Kearney, NE 68847

Role

Registration and check-in each morning, plus sessions.

Physical accessibility

The venue is wheelchair accessible.

Restrooms

Accessible men’s and women’s restrooms are located at the back of the venue on the right side.

Technology & wi-fi

Free wi-fi is available. The network is called “Legacy Guest,” and it requires no password.

Food & drink

Conference meals and Taste of the Districts will take place at Legacy on the Bricks. There is an ice machine on site.

Parking

Free on-street parking on 21st Street and along Central Avenue (downtown Kearney has no meters). For a lot, the Kearney Public Library public lot is about a block west at 2020 1st Ave. The Wells Fargo parking lot is also available — see the parking map above.

Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA)

2401 Central Ave, Kearney, NE · 308-865-8559

Role

Docent- and curator-led tours. MONA recently completed a major renovation and a new 23,000-square-foot wing. Admission is free.

Physical accessibility

The renovated building is accessible to all visitors, and an elevator serves all three levels. A wheelchair is available at the Visitor Service Desk. Motorized wheelchairs and scooters are welcome, as are walkers, strollers, and certified service animals.

Restrooms

Accessible restrooms are on the main level.

Technology & wi-fi

Free wi-fi is available through the Nebraska University system.

• Wi-Fi network ID: NU-Guest
• Once you connect to the NU-Guest network, you’ll be prompted to create an account. You will enter an email and password that you can then use to log in to the network.

Food & drink

There are no conference meals here. Food and drink are allowed in some of the museum’s public spaces but not in the galleries.

Bags & photo policy

Small personal bags are welcome (no backpacks; lockers are available near the shop). Non-flash photography is permitted unless a gallery sign says otherwise.

Parking

Park in the museum’s free lot on the east side of the building, entered off Avenue A, or on nearby city streets. Accessible parking is in that same east lot. (The museum is open Tue–Sat, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sun noon–5 p.m.)

Kearney Public Library

2020 1st Ave, Kearney, NE 68847

Role

Reserved upstairs meeting rooms host sessions on both days.

Physical accessibility

Public building; the upstairs meeting rooms are reached by elevator. Hearing loops are available on request — tell Joshua in advance and we will have one set up for your session.

Restrooms

Accessible restrooms are on each floor, near the elevator.

Technology & wi-fi

Free public wi-fi is available throughout the library. Projectors, microphones, and webcams can also be requested for the meeting rooms.

Food & drink

We will not have food or drink out at the library. Snack machines and drinking fountains are available in the building.

Parking

A free public lot is right at the building (2020 1st Ave), and there is free on-street parking on 1st Avenue. The meeting rooms are upstairs, reached by the elevator just inside the entrance.

What to bring

• Comfortable walking shoes — you will move between downtown venues
• Layers, plus a light jacket or weather-appropriate layer for the outdoor rededication
• Phone and a charger or power bank (outlets are limited at some venues)
• A refillable water bottle
• Business cards or materials to share — this is a great networking crowd
• Any medications or personal items you need for a full day out
• A little cash or a card for optional concessions and evening events
• If you represent a Creative District, you will need to bring your snack for Taste of the Districts on Wednesday and any swag that you would like to share with attendees

Getting help during the conference

We can’t wait to see you in Kearney!