Kearney, NE – The Museum of Nebraska Art is pleased to announce Bruce and Gerry Lauritzen of Omaha, NE as Honorary Co-Chairs of MONA’s “Nebraska Marvels” capital campaign to restore, renovate, and expand its current facility. The Lauritzens join Co-Chairs Galen and Marilyn Hadley of Kearney.
Plans call for an additional 23,000 square feet to accommodate the growing permanent collection, and to rejuvenate existing facilities plus add new amenities, such as outdoor green spaces, a community studio, and additional meeting spaces for Museum and public use.
In April of 2021 Governor Pete Ricketts signed budget legislation which includes an appropriation of $7.5 million from the FY 2021-2022 General Fund for the Museum of Nebraska Art to assist expanding and restoring/renovating its current facility. The bill, LB 141 was introduced by Nebraska State Senator John Stinner and co-signed by Kearney Senator John Lowe.
The appropriation to this program shall only be used to provide a dollar-for-dollar match of any private donation to the project. Funds from the bill will be used for the overall project and funneled back into the state’s economy via contracts with companies needed to design and build the project.
“The MONA Board of Directors is appreciative of the support by the Nebraska Legislature and the Governor in providing support to the Museum of Nebraska Art for its planned expansion and renovation/restoration project,” said Marilyn Hadley, President of the MONA Board.
The support of the Legislature and Governor Pete Ricketts, who signed the budget legislation, underscores the fact that MONA is meant to be enjoyed by all Nebraska citizens and travelers to our state. It is the only museum dedicated to telling the story of Nebraska through the art of Nebraska.
MONA is governed by a statewide board of directors in collaboration with the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
