Kearney Museum Breaks Ground on Renovation

By Aaron Bonderson , Reporter/Producer Nebraska Public Media

Dec. 10, 2021, 4 p.m. ·

group of business leaders and politicians wearing hard-hats and breaking ground with shovels. — MONA leaders and politicians from left to right: Jon Maass, MONA project director; Mark Bacon, AIA, BVH Architecture; Tom Gallagher, MONA Board president; State Senator John Lowe; Governor Pete Ricketts; Galen Hadley, Campaign for MONA Co-Chair; Marilyn Hadley, Campaign for MONA Co-Chair; Gerry Lauritzen, Campaign for MONA honorary co-chair; Kearney Mayor Stan Clouse; Nicole Herden, MONA Executive Director. (Photo courtesy of MONA)

A Kearney art museum broke ground on its 23,000 square-foot addition Friday.

The Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA) hosted the event with politicians and museum leaders in attendance. Museum executive director Nicole Herden said the renovation was made possible in part by a more than $7 million grant from the Nebraska Legislature.

“Our exciting plans call for carefully restoring our beautiful 1911 building, while also adding 23,000-square-feet of new gallery, exhibition and public gathering spaces,” Herden said.

Also, more green space and garden area is planned for the addition.

The 35-year-old museum will undergo the renovation that will keep the museum closed until 2023. Until then, the museum will run art workshops and temporarily lend its art works to other museums.

Renderings of concepts for the new additions to the Museum of Nebraska Art:

Exterior rendering of the west approach to the new addition. — Museum of Nebraska Art outside rendering of the west side of the new addition. (Photo courtesy of MONA)

Concept of indoor gathering area. Table and chairs are arranged in a long room. — A rendering of what the indoor gathering area could look like inside the museum. (Photo courtesy of MONA)

Kearney Museum Breaks Ground on Renovation

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