UNK- With support from a $10,000 grant from the Nebraska Cultural Endowment and the Nebraska Arts Council, the Museum of Nebraska Art is planning to revitalize its ARTreach traveling exhibition services. According to MONA Director Ron Roth, the museum is one of only 20 major Nebraska art institutions to receive a Nebraska Cultural Endowment Challenge Grant award.
“Receiving this grant is a real compliment for the museum and its supporters,” Roth said.
Governor Mike Johanns will present the museum with its award on Feb.1 during the GovernorÕs Arts Awards in Lincoln.
This challenge grant is the first round of earnings from the Nebraska Cultural Preservation Endowment Fund, which was created by the Nebraska Legislature in 1998. The challenge grant is intended to garner private support for the museumÕs endowment. The NCE grant requires a dollar-for-dollar match in the form of contributions.
“This grant is significant because it will allow us to re-implement ARTreach,” Roth said. “This will enable us to fulfill our state-wide mission to display Nebraska art throughout the state.”
The ARTreach Program has been dormant for about several years, Roth said. With the endowment, MONA can purchase a new van fitted for traveling exhibitions. The “MONAmobile” will significantly expand MONAÕs capabilities to safely transport traveling art exhibitions to communities throughout Nebraska.
Traveling exhibitions will open at MONA. The first exhibit, “Grant Reynard and the Good War: Images from the Home Front,” is planned for Sept. 12 through Nov. 2 at the museum.
The exhibition will include thirty original illustrations by Nebraska native Grant Reynard. The illustrations will be displayed for the first time for public viewing. Drawn during World War II, the illustrations focus on the impact of the war on Americans on the home front.
There will be a portrait gallery of black and white photographs of Nebraskans who lived during the World War II era, accompanied by information on their experiences. Grant ReynardÕs studio will also be recreated and exhibitors will have the option of borrowing the recreation.
The exhibition will include key themes that were an important part of the social and cultural history of the war.
The exhibition will hit the road in November via the MONAmobile and travel for two years. Roth said he hopes to display the “Grant Reynard and the Good War” exhibit in at least 12 Nebraska communities.
Two other ARTreach exhibitions have also been planned. “Another World: Images of African-Americans by Grant Reynard” will be displayed Jan. 16 through March 2, 2001, in conjunction with Dr. Martin Luther KingÕs birthday and Black History Month. “A Word About Buffalo” is planned for Oct. 16 through Nov. 30, 2001 in association with Native American Month.
For more information on the ARTreach exhibition, contact the Museum of Nebraska Art at (308) 865-8559.
