BemisCenter.org
Title
Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts : Top Level : Welcome
Description
The spirit and programs of the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts are based on the conviction that exceptional talent deserves to be supported. Our practical commitment to this belief is achieved by providing well-equipped studio spaces, living accommodations and a monthly stipend to artists who are awarded residencies. These artists come from around the world to work within a supportive community of like-minded people. The atmosphere and environment offer an ideal situation for creative growth and experimentation and encourage artists to confront new challenges.
In 1981 artists Jun Kaneko, Tony Hepburn, Lorne Falke and Ree Schonlau founded the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts. Initially, the Center began as an Artist-In-Industry program called Alternative Worksite, which placed artists at industrial sites where they could create their work. From 1981-1984, the Artist-In-Industry program operated during summer months on an average annual budget of $35,000. The combination of an unfamiliar studio, the productive exchange of ideas and creative development resulted in an ideal forum for a dynamic art-making process. During that time, ideas also emerged regarding the general needs and facilities that artists require to conceptualize and create art. Accordingly, the concept of providing opportunities to artists through extended residencies at studio and workshop spaces began to form. Over 100 artists who had participated in the Artist-In-Industry program shared their experiences and information. This survey indicated a real need for a residency program that would remove artists from their daily responsibilities and allow them to focus exclusively on creating art. Emphasis was placed on an atmosphere that would be supportive and collaborative as well as conducive to self-challenge and experimentation.
Board members and artists residing in locations throughout the United States, responded to this general consensus by taking action to establish a year-round residency program in Omaha. In 1984 Executive Director Ree Schonlau began searching for studio facilities that would accommodate multiple artists working in a wide-range of media. She established a consortium consisting of the City of Omaha, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, private and corporate foundations and the Mercer family, who owned the vacant 170,000-square-foot Bemis Bag Warehouse, and she convinced this group to develop the studio program in the century-old Bemis Bag Warehouse. Upon approval, renovation began, and facilities were designed that included fourteen studio/living spaces with heating, air conditioning, kitchens and baths. The first floor was renovated to produce a 4,000 square-foot exhibition space, administrative offices, and a 6,000 square-foot ceramic sculpture studio complete with three large-scale gas kilns. In accordance with its new home, the program was named the Bemis Foundation, and full-time programming began.
Languages
English
