Discover Omaha’s creative heartbeat with Benson First Friday (BFF), which offers vibrant art shows, youth programs, and monthly first Friday events in the community
ABOUT
Founded in June 2012 by Alex Jochim and JD Hardy, BFF Omaha (originally known as "Benson First Friday") began as a monthly art walk in Omaha's Benson neighborhood. After three years of successfully organizing these events, BFF achieved nonprofit status in 2015, enabling them to expand their mission beyond a monthly gathering to daily support of the local arts. They initiated projects including public art installations, regional outreach, gallery management, youth programs, and merchandise that are implemented into the community year-round!
PROGRAMS
Whether you're a community member, art enthusiast, environmental advocate, or simply enjoy live performances, there's something for everyone at BFF. Here are just a few things to explore:
📚 Youth and Education // Encompasses a variety of activities, from art classes held at Trudy's to exhibitions, public art installations, and zine publishing centered around emerging artists and teenagers.
🐾 Petshop Gallery // Taking over what was previously a exotic pet store, Petshop was founded as a studio & gallery space in June 2012. This space is now a shared creative space in Benson with galleries, studios, offices, and event space.
🚐 MaMO Gallery // (pronounced “May-MOH”) is a semi-trailer-turned-gallery that travels throughout the region March-November, partnering with various communities and organizations, and hosts interdisciplinary programming, artist residencies, and immersive installations.
♻️ Green Team // BFF’s Green Team aims to promote environmentally sustainable practices through providing resources and opportunities for the community. Centered in Benson, the program consists of neighborhood cleanups, landscaping, community events, public art projects, education, and other beautification initiatives.
🖼️ BFF Gallery // BFF Gallery is a collaborative office, studio space, and gallery, representing BFF Omaha’s headquarters and official “First Stop” during monthly First Friday art walks. The gallery is curated by Ang Bennett and seeks collaborations via selected community partnerships.
🎨 Public Art // In an effort towards beautification and to create a visual stimulating community, BFF implements annual public art projects within Omaha and Lincoln, working regularly with community members, building owners, city officials, and both local & national artists.
🖌️ Benson Creative District // Benson is an official Creative District! With this designation, their goal is to attract and retain creatives in the community and continue the creative spirit that keeps Benson “Good Weird.”
FIRST FRIDAYS Every first friday of the month, BFF organizes art shows and programming in the neighborhood! These events include art shows, youth engagement, hands-on education, digital projections, on-street Artist Markets, street closures, and special annual events like PRIDE in June and the New American Arts Festival in August which showcases local refugee and immigrant arts and cultures! Make sure to stay tuned on their website to stay up to date on what they have to offer on each First Friday!
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