The Joslyn Art Museum (2200 Dodge St)

[NEDodger]

Dang. We are having a BUNCH of people coming in town in June. Was hoping it would be open by then!!

[Coyote]

Joslyn Museum announces opening date

[Coyote]

Inside look at the Joslyn Art Museum’s renovation project



The grand reopening of Omaha’s Joslyn Art Museum is set for later this year, but 6 News talked with officials about what’s in store when the doors re-open. “It’s taken a lot of hard work,” said executive director Jack Becker. The museum has been closed for two years for a large expansion project. Last week, officials announced they’re planning to reopen the museum on Sept. 10. The addition includes a new 42,000 square-foot pavilion; it will expand gallery space at the museum by 40% and allow the museum to house a growing collection of permanent art. Workers have also been revamping existing features, modernizing spaces in the original 1931 building and the 1994 pavilion.

[Renovator2559]

I still don't understand how the architecture fits with the more decorative rocky exterior of the original. Even the sterile white glassy structure does not fit in terms of color palette. At least they could have used warm light or dark tones of the original. I have a feeling this new structure is what's going to house the toddler scribbles, water down "art" that plague our societies. Nothing beats beautiful, full of talent classical art!



The new structure would probably look better on its own as it's own structure or applied as a concept to the CHI expansion. It does look like a nice structure, it's just it would look better with a more similar in architectural style building.

[legato9]

Here's to hoping they use the additional gallery space for actual art and not anti-/non-art. -crossing fingers-

(The Joslyn definitely punches above its weight for a sub-1M population museum. I really hope it improves even more.)

[nebugeater]

Here's to hoping they use the additional gallery space for actual art and not anti-/non-art. -crossing fingers-

(The Joslyn definitely punches above its weight for a sub-1M population museum. I really hope it improves even more.)

I'll bite

What is anti-/non-art.

[nativeomahan]

The museum’s March newsletter contains news that their existing auditorium, dating to 1931, is receiving a full revamp, most notably with newer, wider seats. No doubt that is in “large” part due to the average circumference of the present day American derrière.

[Renovator2559]

Here's to hoping they use the additional gallery space for actual art and not anti-/non-art. -crossing fingers-

(The Joslyn definitely punches above its weight for a sub-1M population museum. I really hope it improves even more.)

I'll bite

What is anti-/non-art.

When I was in the National Portrait Gallery a few months ago.

The first and main floor of the building was dedicated to this "art".







This sculpture which I would call evil, was prominently displayed as a center piece... So much evil symbology



I was close to leaving the building because the art was demoralizing.

Only after heading to the upper floors did I come across beautiful art work, which shows the goodness of human creativity, talent and determination!











The question is, why is the main floor dedicated to toddler scribbles, where every visitor to the art museum will pass through?

[Louie]

Evil art? What year are we in??

[nativeomahan]

Art is a lot like music.
Some art is intended to bring a smile to your face.
Some art is intended to raise your emotions.
Some art is designed to make you question to intent of the artist.
It’s all art to someone, even if YOU don’t/won’t/ can’t yet appreciate it.

[legato9]

A word that can mean anything means nothing.

[GreenOZ]

That sculpture looks satanic and evil yikes!

[almighty_tuna]

Quick, somebody clutch some pearls!!

[ItsAllAboutMe]

Just a few weeks away and The Joslyn will be open. Hard to believe its been closed for over over two and half years. Sculptures are being installed and final landscape work is being done. It's going to be stunning.

[skinzfan23]

Yes, I was just thinking the same thing the other day. Doesn't actually feel like it has been closed that long. I took my kids to it right before it closed and they loved it, so hopefully it will be even better when it reopens.

[FishFighter92]

woohoo! Thank goodness

[mistergutierrez]

Fences are gone!!!

[mistergutierrez]

[Brad]

Fences are gone!!!

That's great. When I filmed my last Grow Omaha Construction Update, it seemed like that might be happening sooner than later.

[skinzfan23]

Here are some photos from the OWH of the recent Joslyn expansion:

[Brad]

That last photo, I'm assuming they took that sculpture out and then rebuilt it exactly the same? It hasn't been there the whole time covered up has it?

[ita]

Sneak peek at joslyns reopening this Tues.

https://www.3newsnow.com/central-omaha/ ... w-pavilion

[Ben]

My wife was a guest at the opening gala event on Friday night.... Said the new addition was gorgeous. Some nice reconfiguration of the legacy space to work it into the flow...

Only 2 negatives that she could see - the additional art is skewed towards modern that maybe not everyone will appreciate. Secondly, a new walkway connecting the addition to the main museum necessitated removal of 1 of the 2 Chihulys (the squiggly glass one). Rumor has it that it is supposed to remain in Omaha and reappear at UNMC Chihuly gardens at some point...

[skinzfan23]

That was my fear, having really modern art. At least for my wife's and my taste, I prefer the older stuff.

[nativeomahan]

Omaha needs a dedicated public space for modern art, and the new addition seems poised to fill that need. I look forward to visiting soon.

[omahahawk]

Debate on classical art and modern art aside, the new space is incredible. I believe they were supposed to have done some renovation on Witherspoon Hall as well but to date I have not seen that. Does anybody know if this is the case and if so what kind of renovations were done?

[thenewguy]

We went today and checked it out. Let me tell ya, it's incredibly well done. To be fair, I've only visited a few different art museums, but I feel like the joslyn is truly top tier quality. I have always thought the original building was architecturally beautiful, but the addition compliments it so well without trying to mimic it exactly. We are really lucky to have such a wonderful museum

[Renovator2559]

I think the new addition of the building is well done, as for the art in that new addition. I've been told by visiting friends that they feel gloomy and uninspired when they walk into the new section; which is all modern art and they just want to rush and be done with. Though they praise the amount of light and glass of the new building.

With the original building in the other hand, I get great comments on how beautiful the classical art collection is at Joslyn and they stay much longer in this section in awe of the intricate details, of the true talent, effort and beauty. Plus the original Joslyn evokes grandeur, a premium feel from the thick marbles and decorative features.

[Louie]

Joslyn made the 2025 Prix Versailles List of World's Most Beautiful Museums. Didn't know it existed, but it sounds like a pretty prestigious thing.
https://www.prix-versailles.com/

https://www.prix-versailles.com/_files/ ... 35a5e7.pdf

[skinzfan23]

Awesome to see that list.

[BRoss]

Joslyn made the 2025 Prix Versailles List of World's Most Beautiful Museums. Didn't know it existed, but it sounds like a pretty prestigious thing.
https://www.prix-versailles.com/

https://www.prix-versailles.com/_files/ ... 35a5e7.pdf

And now Joslyn won the World Special Prize for an Exterior title in the museum category. This took place earlier this month.

https://www.prix-versailles.com/2025

https://www.prix-versailles.com/_files/ ... 9019db.pdf

[almighty_tuna]

Wow, definitely a banner year for recognition! We are definitely lucky to have not only the museum itself in Omaha, but the support/philanthropy that funds it and its continued improvement.

[skinzfan23]

Joslyn announced attendance for 2025 was over 206,500 . It’s highest attendance in nearly two decades. Great to see!