Great Plains Art Museum

The Great Plains Art Museum, part of the Center for Great Plains Studies at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, is dedicated to celebrating the culture, history, and natural beauty of one of North America’s most distinctive regions. Established in 1981 through the generosity of Christlieb family donors, the museum quickly became an essential cultural hub, offering both scholarly depth and artistic inspiration.

The museum’s collection focuses on art that interprets and reflects life on the Great Plains, past and present. Works include paintings, sculptures, drawings, and photographs by regional and national artists who have been moved by the vast landscapes, diverse wildlife, and stories of the people who shaped and continue to inhabit the Plains. From depictions of bison herds and prairie skies to portraits and contemporary interpretations of regional identity, the collection invites visitors to experience the Great Plains in all its complexity.

Alongside its permanent collection, the museum hosts rotating exhibitions that explore new perspectives and highlight both established and emerging voices. These exhibitions often connect to the Center for Great Plains Studies’ broader research and outreach, offering interdisciplinary insights into ecology, history, and cultural life in the region.

Education and public engagement lie at the heart of the museum’s mission. Programs include lectures, family activities, and collaborations with local schools, designed to foster appreciation and understanding of the region’s unique environment and cultural heritage. By connecting art with contemporary issues, the museum serves as both a resource for scholarship and a gathering place for community dialogue.

Free and open to the public, the Great Plains Art Museum stands as a welcoming space where art and scholarship meet. It is a place to reflect on the enduring beauty of the Plains, while also confronting the challenges and opportunities that define its future.