ABOUT LALA
THE MISSION
Our MISSION is to build a more diverse, resilient and thriving Omaha arts sector.
Our goal is to transform Omaha into a nationally recognized arts mecca where local visual artists can earn a living because both public and private art collectors are abundant. Local artists thrive when their art is sought after, purchased and proudly displayed. Through excellent, thoughtful and engaging public murals, sculptures, exhibitions, and art forward initiatives, we will work to bring attention to local artists and build a more vibrant city.
Omaha is home to talented and unique artists, but few of these artists are able to make a living due to lack of opportunity, grant funding, and support from local institutions. In fact, many local artists are moving away to other cities to pursue their careers. This lack of foundation leads to a talent shortage and a city void of excellent public art that reflects its communities. This also perpetuates the self-defeating cycle of raising money locally to pay out of state artists and forges to produce art for our city.
LALA, an acronym for Local Artists, Local Art, aims to confront these issues head on by providing the basic needs for artists to live and by creating opportunities for them to thrive. Through programs dedicated to large-scale local public art projects, mentoring, exhibitions, art sales, and affordable work spaces, we believe Omaha can retain and attract creative talent and become a celebrated arts mecca.
LALA creates opportunities for artists to thrive. We believe Omaha can retain and attract creative talent and become a celebrated arts mecca.
OUR TEAM
FOUNDER
LAURA ALLEY
founder of LALA
STAFF
WESTON THOMSON, co-director
weston@lalaomaha.org
BETNI KALK, co-director
betni@lalaomaha.org
AMELIA BROUSSARD,
co-director + curator
amelia@lalaomaha.org
BOARD
Sarah Rowe, artist
Renee Ledesma, artist
Todd Moeller, architect
HISTORY
FROM A+I (2020) TO LALA (2024)
Conceived by Laura Alley and funded by the Faith Foundation, Art + Infrastructure was born in Spring 2020 as a way to support local artists during the pandemic. In March 2020, when the reality of Covid began to sink in and the shut downs were beginning, Laura wanted to keep local artists working while also bringing joy to Omaha. She hoped to pull together artists that would create excellent public art in surprising places, the forgotten spaces, the spaces in-between.
Laura believed it was critical that this project was Artist-Lead, so her first calls were to Betni Kalk and Weston Thomson, local artists she admires and has worked with over the years. Laura’s vision required that the art is of excellent quality, and be created by an inclusive, diverse mix of local artists. As the concept took shape, the team looked for an organization to be a fiscal sponsor and administrator. Omaha by Design was enthusiastic to help.
The success of the initial A+I projects combined with seeing other needs of local artists inspired Laura, Betni and Weston. In 2024, they founded a new nonprofit called LALA (Local Artists. Local Art.). In addition to future partnerships with Omaha by Design, LALA provides artists opportunities for grants, exhibitions, mentoring and public art projects.
PUBLIC ARTS COMMISSION
The City of Omaha Public Arts Commission has been an excellent resource and aid in the process, reviewing each artwork to ensure a consistently high standard for public art across the city.
https://mayors-office.cityofomaha.org/2-uncategorised/210-public-art-commission