Established by the Chicago-based artist and cultural planner, Theaster Gates, in collaboration with the Bemis Center, Carver Bank was a creative place-making project that provided space to convene around the arts in North Omaha, a historically African American neighborhood. Located at 2416 Lake Street, the 2,600-square-foot interior featured publicly accessible meeting and performance spaces as well as Big Mama's Sandwich Shop, with an additional 3,000-square-feet of exterior space.
Since its opening in March 2013, the Bemis Center showcased 13 exhibitions featuring local and national artist's work; hosted 16 Artists-in-Residence; coordinated 39 organizational partnerships and artist-led collaborations; served as space or host for 136 public programs, workshops, and events; and had 8,745 visitors as of September 12, 2016.
Beginning October 3, 2016, the North Omaha Arts Alliance became the new tenant of Carver Bank. This nonprofit organization will promote the arts in North Omaha and contribute to the development of an economically viable art, culture, entertainment, and business district.
CREATING CARVER BANK
EXHIBITING ARTISTS
Cey Adams
Janette Beckman
Angela Drakeford
LaMont Hamilton
Dereck Higgins
Brittany Johnson
Portia Love
Shannon Marie
Mary Mattingly
Sarah Rowe
Alma Salas
Daniel Sedra
Mitchell Squire
Bart Vargas
Wendel White
Hugo Zamarano
ARTISTS-IN-RESIDENCE
Denise Chapman
Michael Clark
Devel Crisp
Angela Drakeford
Dereck Higgins
Portia Love
Shannon Marie
Erick Uncool
Bart Vargas
The Wordsmiths
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Include, but are not limited to:
Central High School
Empowerment Network
Fliye Arts
Girls Inc.
Girls Scouts
Hope Center for Kids
Juneteenth Nebraska
Loves Jazz & Arts Center
Making Invisible Histories Visible - Omaha Public Schools
North High School
Omaha Public Library
TedX Omaha
Union for Contemporary Arts
Urban League of Nebraska
Yelp
YMCA
STAKEHOLDERS AND FUNDERS
Support for Carver Bank was provided by ArtPlace America, a collaboration of leading national and regional foundations, banks and federal agencies accelerating creative place-making across the United States.
Additional major support was provided by:
Annette and Paul Smith
Carol Gendler
City of Omaha
Douglas County Historical Society
Douglas County Visitors Improvement Fund
Harpo Foundation
Joyce Foundation
National Endowment for the Arts Our Town grant
Robert Rauschenberg Foundation’s Artistic Innovation and Collaboration Program
Schrager Foundation
Theaster Gates and Rebuild Foundation
The Sherwood Foundation
