![20221021 cc 7024](https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/_1200xAUTO_crop_center-center_95_none/20221021_cc_7024.jpg 1200w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/_2000xAUTO_crop_center-center_95_none/20221021_cc_7024.jpg 2000w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/_4000xAUTO_crop_center-center_95_none/20221021_cc_7024.jpg 4000w)
Since 1981, Bemis Center has provided artists from around the world with dedicated time, space, and resources to conduct research and to create new work.
May 22–August 16, 2024
![Zalika Azim Gathering 3 (Double Dutch Study)](https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/zalika-azim/_920x760_crop_center-center_95_none/Gathering-3-Zalika-Azim.jpg 920w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/zalika-azim/_1200x992_crop_center-center_95_none/Gathering-3-Zalika-Azim.jpg 1200w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/zalika-azim/_1500x1240_crop_center-center_95_none/Gathering-3-Zalika-Azim.jpg 1500w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/zalika-azim/_2000x1653_crop_center-center_95_none/Gathering-3-Zalika-Azim.jpg 2000w)
![Kathy Cho Phantom Limb 2018 installation view of work by Joan Oh Cody Dock London UK](https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/kathy-cho/_920x760_crop_center-center_95_none/Phantom-Limb-2018-installation-view-of-work-by-Joan-Oh-Cody-Dock-London-UK-Kathy-C.jpg 920w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/kathy-cho/_1200x992_crop_center-center_95_none/Phantom-Limb-2018-installation-view-of-work-by-Joan-Oh-Cody-Dock-London-UK-Kathy-C.jpg 1200w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/kathy-cho/_1500x1240_crop_center-center_95_none/Phantom-Limb-2018-installation-view-of-work-by-Joan-Oh-Cody-Dock-London-UK-Kathy-C.jpg 1500w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/kathy-cho/_2000x1653_crop_center-center_95_none/Phantom-Limb-2018-installation-view-of-work-by-Joan-Oh-Cody-Dock-London-UK-Kathy-C.jpg 2000w)
![Wambui Kamiru Collymore All My Venus Days Installation View](https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/wambui-kamiru-collymore/_920x760_crop_center-center_95_none/VenusInstallationView-Wambui-Kamiru-Collymore-2.jpg 920w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/wambui-kamiru-collymore/_1200x992_crop_center-center_95_none/VenusInstallationView-Wambui-Kamiru-Collymore-2.jpg 1200w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/wambui-kamiru-collymore/_1500x1240_crop_center-center_95_none/VenusInstallationView-Wambui-Kamiru-Collymore-2.jpg 1500w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/wambui-kamiru-collymore/_2000x1653_crop_center-center_95_none/VenusInstallationView-Wambui-Kamiru-Collymore-2.jpg 2000w)
![Mourning the Motherland Praying Joe Harjo](https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/_920x760_crop_center-center_95_none/Mourning-the-Motherland-Praying-Joe-Harjo.jpg 920w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/_1200x992_crop_center-center_95_none/Mourning-the-Motherland-Praying-Joe-Harjo.jpg 1200w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/_1500x1240_crop_center-center_95_none/Mourning-the-Motherland-Praying-Joe-Harjo.jpg 1500w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/_2000x1653_crop_center-center_95_none/Mourning-the-Motherland-Praying-Joe-Harjo.jpg 2000w)
![Sara Jimenez Why should our bodies end at the skin 2](https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/sara-jimenez-2/_920x760_crop_center-center_95_none/Sara-Jimenez-Why-should-our-bodies-end-at-the-skin-2.jpg 920w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/sara-jimenez-2/_1200x992_crop_center-center_95_none/Sara-Jimenez-Why-should-our-bodies-end-at-the-skin-2.jpg 1200w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/sara-jimenez-2/_1500x1240_crop_center-center_95_none/Sara-Jimenez-Why-should-our-bodies-end-at-the-skin-2.jpg 1500w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/sara-jimenez-2/_2000x1653_crop_center-center_95_none/Sara-Jimenez-Why-should-our-bodies-end-at-the-skin-2.jpg 2000w)
![Leon Jones Nicodemus work table](https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/leon-jones/_920x760_crop_center-center_95_none/Leon-Jones-Nicodemus-work-table.jpg 920w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/leon-jones/_1200x992_crop_center-center_95_none/Leon-Jones-Nicodemus-work-table.jpg 1200w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/leon-jones/_1500x1240_crop_center-center_95_none/Leon-Jones-Nicodemus-work-table.jpg 1500w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/leon-jones/_2000x1653_crop_center-center_95_none/Leon-Jones-Nicodemus-work-table.jpg 2000w)
![Hazel Katz Sydney & Kim (still 1)](https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/hazel-katz/_920x760_crop_center-center_95_none/Hazel-Katz-Sydney-and-Kim-still-1.jpg 920w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/hazel-katz/_1200x992_crop_center-center_95_none/Hazel-Katz-Sydney-and-Kim-still-1.jpg 1200w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/hazel-katz/_1500x1240_crop_center-center_95_none/Hazel-Katz-Sydney-and-Kim-still-1.jpg 1500w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/hazel-katz/_2000x1653_crop_center-center_95_none/Hazel-Katz-Sydney-and-Kim-still-1.jpg 2000w)
![Keli Safia Maksud old blues new bruises](https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/keli-safia-maksud/_920x760_crop_center-center_95_none/Keli-Safia-Maksud-old-blues-new-bruises.jpg 920w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/keli-safia-maksud/_1200x992_crop_center-center_95_none/Keli-Safia-Maksud-old-blues-new-bruises.jpg 1200w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/keli-safia-maksud/_1500x1240_crop_center-center_95_none/Keli-Safia-Maksud-old-blues-new-bruises.jpg 1500w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/keli-safia-maksud/_2000x1653_crop_center-center_95_none/Keli-Safia-Maksud-old-blues-new-bruises.jpg 2000w)
![Ray and Sathya Eamon McGivern](https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/_920x760_crop_center-center_95_none/Ray-and-Sathya-Eamon-McGivern.jpg 920w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/_1200x992_crop_center-center_95_none/Ray-and-Sathya-Eamon-McGivern.jpg 1200w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/_1500x1240_crop_center-center_95_none/Ray-and-Sathya-Eamon-McGivern.jpg 1500w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/_2000x1653_crop_center-center_95_none/Ray-and-Sathya-Eamon-McGivern.jpg 2000w)
![Opia With a face of golden pleasure elegantly destroy 3](https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/opia/_920x760_crop_center-center_95_none/Opia-With-a-face-of-golden-pleasure-elegantly-destroy-3.jpg 920w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/opia/_1200x992_crop_center-center_95_none/Opia-With-a-face-of-golden-pleasure-elegantly-destroy-3.jpg 1200w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/opia/_1500x1240_crop_center-center_95_none/Opia-With-a-face-of-golden-pleasure-elegantly-destroy-3.jpg 1500w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/opia/_2000x1653_crop_center-center_95_none/Opia-With-a-face-of-golden-pleasure-elegantly-destroy-3.jpg 2000w)
![Passepartout Duo Modello Portatile 1](https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/passepartout-duo/_920x760_crop_center-center_95_none/Modello-Portatile-1-Nicoletta-Favari.jpg 920w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/passepartout-duo/_1200x992_crop_center-center_95_none/Modello-Portatile-1-Nicoletta-Favari.jpg 1200w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/passepartout-duo/_1500x1240_crop_center-center_95_none/Modello-Portatile-1-Nicoletta-Favari.jpg 1500w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/passepartout-duo/_2000x1653_crop_center-center_95_none/Modello-Portatile-1-Nicoletta-Favari.jpg 2000w)
![Amina Ross Window 1 and Window 2](https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/amina-ross/_920x760_crop_center-center_95_none/Amina-Ross-Window-1-and-Window-2.jpg 920w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/amina-ross/_1200x992_crop_center-center_95_none/Amina-Ross-Window-1-and-Window-2.jpg 1200w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/amina-ross/_1500x1240_crop_center-center_95_none/Amina-Ross-Window-1-and-Window-2.jpg 1500w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/amina-ross/_2000x1653_crop_center-center_95_none/Amina-Ross-Window-1-and-Window-2.jpg 2000w)
![Iren Tete Forwards Backwards 2](https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/iren-tete/_920x760_crop_center-center_95_none/Iren-Tete-Forwards-Backwards-2.jpg 920w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/iren-tete/_1200x992_crop_center-center_95_none/Iren-Tete-Forwards-Backwards-2.jpg 1200w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/iren-tete/_1500x1240_crop_center-center_95_none/Iren-Tete-Forwards-Backwards-2.jpg 1500w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/iren-tete/_2000x1653_crop_center-center_95_none/Iren-Tete-Forwards-Backwards-2.jpg 2000w)
![Carlos Vielma América Latina](https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/carlos-vielma/_920x760_crop_center-center_95_none/America-Latina-Carlos-Vielma.jpg 920w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/carlos-vielma/_1200x992_crop_center-center_95_none/America-Latina-Carlos-Vielma.jpg 1200w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/carlos-vielma/_1500x1240_crop_center-center_95_none/America-Latina-Carlos-Vielma.jpg 1500w, https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/residents/carlos-vielma/_2000x1653_crop_center-center_95_none/America-Latina-Carlos-Vielma.jpg 2000w)
Residency Programs
Artist-in-Residence
Sound Art + Experimental Music
Curator-in-Residence
Alumni Artist-in-Residence
Community Tracks
Benefits
The Bemis residency is a process-based experience–residents have the ability to research, experiment, and explore free from expectations. Bemis residents enjoy generous sized, private live/work studios and have 24-hour access to extensive installation and production spaces; the Okada Sculpture & Ceramics Facility, a 9,000 square foot industrial workshop used for large-scale sculpture fabrication; and a Sound Studio for rehearsing and recording.
Professional collaborations and personal friendships are often formed among the multidisciplinary mix of residents from around the world. Presentations and open studios among the residents are optional and spontaneous, providing opportunities to share work with fellow cohort members. Bemis also offers opportunities to meet local and regional artists, arts professionals, and others that may specifically help advance a resident’s practice.
Bemis residents receive financial support to help offset the costs of personal needs while in residence such as food, materials, supplies, and travel.
In addition to financial support, residents receive technical and administrative support from a dedicated team of Bemis staff members.
“Life changing. It literally changed my life. I found a life collaborator in another AIR, and I felt supported, encouraged, and validated in my career. The experience was extremely challenging and intense, but worth it and fruitful."
— Marnie Ellen Hertzler, Bemis Fall 2023 Artist-in-Residence
Facilities + Resources
Live / Work Studios + Amenities
+![John Fortes Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts Photo by Colin Conces32](https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/John-Fortes-Bemis-Center-for-Contemporary-Arts-Photo-by-Colin-Conces32.jpg)
Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts has twelve live/work studios on two floors in which the artists-in-residence reside. Spaces range from 820–2,200 square feet. Each studio has its own kitchen and private bathroom and is equipped with basic items (linens, bedding, dishes, a basic set of tools, etc.) and furniture (bed, table, chairs, desk). Residents have access to a variety of additional furniture that can be placed in the studio. Studios are also equipped with a paint sink, plywood-backed sheetrocked walls, accessible windows, concrete floors, and 12’ ceilings. Both live/work studio floors have complimentary laundry facilities, utilities are paid for by Bemis, and each studio has wifi internet.
Project + Installation Spaces
+![Katharine Hawthorne Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts Photo by Colin Conces8](https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/Katharine-Hawthorne-Bemis-Center-for-Contemporary-Arts-Photo-by-Colin-Conces8.jpg)
Bemis artists-in-residence have 24-hour access to project and installation space on Bemis Center’s 3rd (6,500 square feet) and 5th (7,550 square feet) floors. These floors offer an abundance of natural light and both finished and unfinished spaces for building, documenting, rehearsing, collaborating, and experimenting with their work.
Okada Sculpture & Ceramics Facility
+![Trevor Amery Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts Photo by Colin Conces25](https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/Trevor-Amery-Bemis-Center-for-Contemporary-Arts-Photo-by-Colin-Conces25.jpg)
Bemis artists-in-residence have 24-hour access to the Okada Sculpture & Ceramics Facility, the organization’s stand-alone fabrication space located across the street from its main building. The 9,000 square ft historic bow truss building was renovated in 2011 and includes a woodworking area, metal shop, ceramics studio, and a vast amount of space for building and documenting large-scale work.
Sound Studio
+![Tom Comittta Alumni Residency Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts Photo by Colin Conces48](https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/Tom-Comittta-Alumni-Residency-Bemis-Center-for-Contemporary-Arts-Photo-by-Colin-Conces48.jpg)
Located in Bemis Center’s lower level, the Sound Studio is a 1,000 square foot shared workspace for artists-in-residence. The workspace includes a Studio Room for mixing and recording and a Live Room where artists can rehearse, experiment, and mic up instruments to be tracked into the Studio Room. The Live Room also serves as a rehearsal space where artists can set up multiple instruments to experiment or practice. The Sound Studio is equipped with a variety of instruments, amps, microphones, and digital hardware and software for recording and mixing.
Clare Haas Howard Research Library
+![Clare Haas Howard Research Library](https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/Clare-Haas-Howard-Research-Library.jpg)
The Clare Haas Howard Research Library is located on Bemis Center’s main floor within the administrative offices and contains more than 3,000 art-related books, exhibition catalogues, artist monographs, journals, and magazines. Current artists-in-residence are permitted to check out books during administrative hours.
The library is named in honor of Clare Haas Howard, an artist and patron of the arts, for her strong spirit and many contributions to the Omaha creative community.
Interns
+Bemis Center’s Internship Program offers students and recent graduates who are interested in working as a professional artist or within the arts or nonprofit sector the opportunity to work directly with a Bemis resident. Bemis recruits and matches interns with residents based on their mutual skills and goals. Interns assist with projects such as studio production and fabrication, research, documentation, and sourcing local resources while receiving mentorship from a Bemis resident.
Community Partnerships
+![Mimi Bai The Union for Contemporary Art](https://www.bemiscenter.org/media/Mimi-Bai-The-Union-for-Contemporary-Art.jpg)
Partnerships with local organizations such as The Union for Contemporary Art, Hot Shops, and Metro Community College Prototype Design Lab offer Bemis residents access to additional tools, equipment, technical support, and opportunities to create networks and collaborations.
Public Presentation
+All residents are invited to participate in at least one opportunity to share their work with fellow artists-in-residence, organizational partners, and the public.
Bemis Alumni Program
Designed for all artists who have participated in Bemis Center’s Residency Program or have exhibited at Bemis, the Alumni Program ensures the organization’s ongoing connection and impact by providing financial resources, unique opportunities, and expanding professional networks.
For any questions, contact residency@bemiscenter.org.
GET MORE ART IN YOUR INBOX
Contemporary Arts
724 S. 12th Street
Omaha, NE 68102
402.341.7130
info@bemiscenter.org