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K A N E K O
A N N U A L R E P O R T
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K A N E K O
A N N U A L R E P O R T
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K A N E K O
A N N U A L R E P O R T
LE T TER FROM THE DIREC TOR
Human beings thrive on the energy that is released when the collective creative process arrives upon uniqueness in discovery and takes its shape in the way that we consider and relate to ourselves, to each other and to our world. It’s an exciting journey to be a part of and our lives are fuller by the sheer experience of it all. We are fortunate here in Omaha to have a catalyst and a forum where that collective creative process thrives and invites all of us to join, that catalyst and forum is KANEKO. Albert Einstein once said, “Creativity is contagious, pass it on.” Here at KANEKO, we are all about immersing one another in the process of creativity. Without your generous support, KANEKO doesn’t exist. We had a good year and outcomes are being achieved. Over 33,000 people enjoyed the creative experience of our exhibitions and over 13,000 lives were enriched through ongoing KANEKO programming this year. Creativity does change lives and you are very much a part of that. We warmly invite you to continue to be a part of KANEKO. If you aren’t a member at KANEKO, please consider becoming one, in doing so, you will not only fill your senses with performance, partake in the richness of art, and immerse yourself in the creative experience, but through your membership you will also allow others to do so. Make it a point to visit us often and get involved, you truly will find it simply contagious.
Chris Hochstetler, Executive Director
Photo by Ben Semisch
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K A N E K O B O A R D O F D I R E C T O R S
Bruce Carpenter Henry Davis Robert Duncan (Co-Chair) Deryl F. Hamann Frank Hayes (Treasurer) Larry Jobeun (Secretary) Ree and Jun Kaneko Vicki Krecek Karen Linder Marilyn and Carl Mammel Royce Maynard John P. Nelson (Vice Chairman) Zach Rawling Polina Schlott, MPA Robert Schlott (Co-Chair) Steve Seline Therman Statom
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K A N E K O P A R T N E R S
AIM American Institute of Architects (AIA) – Omaha Chapter American Institute of Architects (AIA) – Nebraska Chapter American Institute of Graphic Artists (AIGA) – Omaha Chapter burntdistrict journal Fat Brain Toys HDR Architects Min | Day Architects Montessori Co-op School Nebraska Loves Public Schools Nebraska Writers Collective Omaha Children’s Museum RDG Architects Silicon Prairie News (SPN) Spark Wheel Press Spielbound University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization UNO Early Childhood Education Department University of Nebraska Omaha – Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) VisionMaker Media - UNO Native American Film Festival, VisionMaker Media Film Festival 7
Thank you to our generous supporters DONORS
$50,000—99,999
$25,000—49,999
1,000,000+
Leisa and David Austin
Anonymous
Alan and Marcia Baer Family Charitable Trust
Karen and Robert Duncan
Bentley Gallery, Inc.
Susie Buffett
Holland Family Foundation
Clark Creative Group
Bullseye Glass Company
Richard Holland
Distribution Fund
Elaine and Sidney Cohen
Ree and Jun Kaneko
Dorothy B. Davis Family Foundation
The Contemporary Museum
Sandie Eskin
Barbara and Eric Dobkin
Eskin Family Foundation
Dobkin Family Foundation
Linda Esterling and Steve Wake
Elaine Baker Gallery
Marilyn and Carl Mammel $500,000—999,999 Karen and James Linder, M.D. Ichiro Okada Omaha Community Foundation Polina and Bob Schlott $250,000—499,999 Susan and Michael Dell Peter Kiewit Foundation Sheila and Michael Rips Weitz Family Foundation $100,000— 249,999 Anonymous Robert B. Daugherty Foundation Henry A. Davis
Gebert Contemporary Ursula M. and Stephen J. Gebert Lincoln Community Foundation Daryl Lillie and John Lillie Nicolaysen Art Museum Omaha World Herald Kathy and Troy Perry Eve and Fred Simon
Frank Hayes Gail Severn Gallery Humanities Nebraska Imago Galleries Iowa West Foundation Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation Vicki and David Krecek Elaine and Earl Liff Nebraska Community Foundation
Vrana Construction
Sharee and Murray Newman
Wake Charitable Foundation
Omaha Hotel Corporation Brian Pelowski Justin Perri Deb Peterson
Douglas County
Patricia and Earl Scudder
First National Bank of Omaha
SilverStone Group Kippy Boulton Stroud
Gerry and Bruce Lauritzen
Warren Distribution
Kathy and Marc LeBaron
Woods Charitable Fund
Nebraska Arts Council
Donna Woods and Jon Hinrichs
Anne and John P. Nelson Sherwood Foundation Gail and Mike Yanney
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Gallery Kasahara
Sandy Besser
Kristae and Peter Zandbergen
$10,000—24,999
Shirley and Michael Sorrell
Laura and Greg Schnackel
Susan Schonlau
Acklie Charitable Foundation
Ann and Gene Spence
Troia Schonlau
Therman Statom
Suzanne and Walter Scott Foundation
John and Kelly Balistreri
University of Iowa
Turkey and Peter Stremmel
Rkachea and Bruce Carpenter
University of Nebraska Foundation
Dr. Peter Suzuki
The Springcreek Foundation
ConAgra Foods (Research, Quality and Innovation)
University of Wyoming
Monté and Duane Thompson
Valmont Industries, Inc.
Ted Townsend
University of Nebraska – Omaha
Dawn and Carl Von Bernuth
Union Pacific Corporation
Lou Ann and Del Weber
Dorothy and Fred Weiss
Diane Wilsey
Kate and Roger Weitz
Lyn and C. Thomas White
Mary and John Wilson
William Traver Gallery
Anita and Ron Wornick
Alice Corning and Richard Massey Elaine Baker Gallery Carol Gendler Gerald Peters Gallery Carmen and John Gottschalk
$2,500—4,999
Marilyn and Terry Diamond
Lela Autio
Melissa and Patrick J. Duffy
Cindy and Mogens C. Bay
Ayman El-Mohandes, MBBCh, MD, MPH
Jan Buckingham and Lauren Ronald
The Fabric Workshop and Museum
Chabad-Lubavich of Nebraska
Patricia and John MacDonald
FVB Foundation, Inc.
Alice Corning and Richard Massey
Nancy and Michael McCarthy
Claire M. Hubbard Foundation
Dicobe Tapes, Inc.
Nana Smith and J.B. Milliken
Maureen and Richard Hunt
Shehzad Hasan
International Sculpture Center
Helen and Richard Kelley
Sidonie Haines HDR ilumin Larry A. Jobeun Locks Gallery
Mission Clay Products Montessori Co-op School Sandy and Jeffrey A. Passer, M.D.
Howard Farber
Jewish Community Foundation (California) Angie and Dan Muhleisen
Perry V. Haines Foundation
Fredrick P. Ogren
Peggy Reinecke and Dean Arkfeld
Paypal, Inc.
Bruce Frasier Architects
Peter Durst
Lincoln Financial Foundation Maurine Littleton Locks Gallery Royce Maynard
RDO Truck Center
McCarthy Capital Corporation
Jane and Ky Rohman
Morgan Stanley
Annette and Paul Smith
Georgina and Thomas Russo
Nancy and Steven Oliver
Lisa and Thomas Smith
Laura Russo Gallery
Smith Kramer Fine Art Services
Betty and Jack Schafer
Sherry Leedy Gallery Betiana and Todd Simon
Union Bank and Trust
$5,000—9,999 Dayton Visual Arts Center
Jan E. Hailey
Sue and Steve Seline
Jeanne and Bill Penry Louis G. Pol Rena Bransten Gallery 9
FRIENDS MEMBERS S.K. and George H. Krauss Sharee and Murray Newman Sandra and Howard Friedman Harriet A. Otis Ann Benson and Dean Suing Bev and Doug Westerberg Bruce Fraiser and Richard Nielsen Christine and Mauro Fiore Gail and Irving Veitzer Gail and Mike Yanney Helen and Richard Kelley John and Linda Rebrovic LeWonderment, Inc. Lourdes Secola Sandi and Bill Bruns Susan and Stewart Smoler Gerry Sullivan and Bob Benzel Jan Otter Joanie and Mark Kraft Shirley and Michael Sorrell Suzanne and Rudy Kotula, M.D. Joanna Gale John J. Jelinek Eunie and Norm Denenberg Jeff and Candace Alvestad Carey and Brian Hamilton Meredith Fuller and James Luyten Jay Rich and Doug Boyd Betiana and Todd Simon MontĂŠ and Duane Thompson Steve Wake Sheila Christ and Fred Vakili Sue Pridemore Joan Squires and Thomas Fay 10
Susy Westerholm
CREATIVE CIRCLE MEMBERS Dan and Esther Brabec
SPONSORS Thanks to our corporate partners for their ongoing support:
Annette and Paul Smith
First National Bank
Cindy and Mogens C. Bay
TRUSTEES Kristae and Peter Zandbergen Joe Ducharme and Steve Stenglein Ayman El-Mohandes Barb and Wally Weitz Richard Holland George Neubert Nana Smith, JD Dr. Michael Sorrell Gail and Michael Yanney Del Weber
SilverStone Group PARTNERS Thanks to the Nebraska Arts Council and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment for providing operating support, and the Peter Kiewit Foundation, Daugherty Foundation, Sherwood Foundation and Humanities Nebraska for supporting KANEKO programming.
MEMBERSHIPS In April 2015, KANEKO updated and expanded its membership program in order to emphasize community involvement and expand its support base. Not only do KANEKO members enjoy many benefits, but they make a positive impact on the community. Due to the rapid increase in KANEKO membership, KANEKO is able to provide educational programming, create ambitious nationally-noted exhibitions, and feature one of a kind speakers. Our members bring vitality to Omaha’s creative community through their participation in ongoing KANEKO programs that transform tradition through innovation. They recognize the importance of creativity and its application in daily life, while being an essential part of KANEKO.
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F O U N D A T I O N
Among the many approaches to creativity celebrated by KANEKO are the pathways explored by Jun Kaneko himself. Over the course of 50 years spent working in both his native Japan and the United States, Jun has used clay and other materials as a doorway into the very nature of objects, attempting to understand how they occupy space in our world, how they relate to one another and how they help us experience our humanity in a meaningful way. KANEKO was established in 1998 by Jun and his wife Ree, whose extensive experience with the Omaha arts community, nonprofit administration and collaboration have been an essential part of the organization’s development. KANEKO was imagined as an open space to explore and encourage the process of creativity, and how it impacts our lives. Ree and Jun wanted to expose audiences to how creativity manifests itself across a whole range of human activity— art, science, philosophy, business, urban planning, education—to cultivate creativity in our citizens and invest in a creative society.
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M I S S I O N
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Creativity begins with an idea— seeing things differently. Our purpose is exploring the creative process— how an new idea is born into the arts, sciences and philosophy. There is no restriction for creative activity. Imagination has complete freedom.
SUPPORTING AND PROMOTING FREEDOM IN CREATIVITY IS KANEKO’S MISSION
P R O G R A M M I N G
PROGRAMMING OVERVIEW, PROGRAM GROWTH, PRESS, & PARTNERS Our goal during KANEKO’s initial programming period was to create dialogue, share creative concepts, and engage the community. The Great Minds lecture series, a forum for the world’s most advanced thinkers, began with the inaugural lecture presented by Wade Davis, National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence. Subsequent speakers included Sir Ken Robinson, celebrated scholar on creativity and education; Dr. Kathy Schick and Dr. Nicholas Toth, archeologists at the Leakey Foundation; Nicholas Kristof, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author; and Sweeta Noori of Women for Women International. This high-caliber roster continued with Joan Acocello, acclaimed critic for The New Yorker magazine; Josh Cooley, Academy Award-winning animator of the celebrated animated films Up and Ratatouille; and singer, songwriter and author Rosanne Cash. PORTALS, the collaborative contemporary project developed and realized by the Experimental Studio at KANEKO, was brought to audiences to witness the creation of exceptional art. A professional team made up of two musicians, a filmmaker, a poet and a dancer responded to a new work written especially for PORTALS by composer Phillip Glass. Violinist Timothy Fain and dancer/choreographer Benjamin Millepied performed Glass’s six-movement suite based on Leonard Cohen’s Book of Longing, which premiered in New York City, traveled back to Omaha where it was created and performed at KANEKO and then moved on to Los Angelels, and continues to tour throughout the U.S. Just as the Experimental Studio encouraged freeform thinking at KANEKO, IDEA LAB is a programmatic umbrella that manifests the KANEKO concept in the community. IDEA LAB has built pivotal educational programs such as Seeing With New Eyes, a new way of teaching and learning for American Indian children and teens, which has been successfully adopted by the public school system.
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F I N A N C I A L S
Education / Outreach
Exhibitions
31%
23%
Program Development
8%
Non-Exhibit Program Expenses
Administration
15%
Fundrasing
12%
12%
KANEKO 2015 EXPENSES PROGRAM DELIVERY
Program Development
7.7%
Education/Outreach
22.5%
Exhibitions
31.4%
Non-Exhibit Program Expenses
11.7%
SUPPORTING SERVICES
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Fundraising
12.2%
Administration
14.5%
18,000 PLAY
17,650 1,3500
9,000 FIBER
7,800 4,500
TRUCK-ATECTURE
4,800
DESIGN LEGENDS
5,300
0
ATTENDANCE BY SEASON TRUCK-A-TECTURE (June 27—August 4, 2014)
4,800
DESIGN LEGENDS (September 20, 2014—January 3, 2015)
5,300
FIBER (February 6—April 25, 2015)
7,800
PLAY (May 30—August 16, 2015)
17,650
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TRUCK-A-TECTURE KANEKO began the summer months with Truck-A-Tecture, which brought together four of the world’s leading mobile architecture firms for an original collaborative exhibition. KANEKO garnered copious amounts of local, regional, national, and international news coverage, including features in premium publications, including Dwell (US), designboom (US), summa + (Argentina and Spain), Fast Company (US), etc. Truck-A-Tecture strengthened the organization’s ties to Omaha’s architecture community, and KANEKO established a relationship that later helped develop new exhibitions and programs, such as PLAY and KANEKO’s Architecture Camps. Most importantly, Truck-A-Tecture provided a unique and educational experience to KANEKO’s Omaha audience and burgeoning architectural community.
“Truck-A-Tecture gets gears turning.” Lindsey Theis, KMTV NEWS
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KANEKO CAMPS Every summer, KANEKO sparks creativity and innovation in Omaha’s aspiring youth through KANEKO Camps. In the summer of 2014, students participated in Architecture Design and Video Game Design and gained valuable software experience. For students considering a career in design, KANEKO Camps connected them with like-minded peers and thanks to the continued partnership of AIM Institute, design professionals from the OmahaMetro. Architecture Camps exposed students to the architectural history of Omaha, while Video Game Design students learned about narrative and game theory. Out of the 60 youth who attended camps, 23 received scholarships to participate in this oneof-a-kind learning experience.
“The camp really opened up our family’s eyes to the importance of architecture in our daily lives.” John, KANEKO Member
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DESIGN LEGENDS Olson Kundig, Wallace Cunningham, and Cedric Hartman The exhibitions of Olson Kundig, Wallace Cunningham, and Cedric Hartman connected three preeminent architectural/industrial design firms in the U.S. under KANEKO’s roof, drawing the national architectural conversation and focus to the Omaha community. This groundbreaking opportunity showcased the first Cedric Hartman public exhibition, highlighting a local legend through a retrospective of his illustrious career. As a result, KANEKO was featured in premium publications, including Architectural Digest & Dwell, further propelling the organization into the international conversation on contemporary architecture and design. Private fundraising events with leaders from each of the firms involved provided financial support for KANEKO. Overall, the exhibition provided a unique art and education experience for the Omaha and instigated conversation within the architectural community.
“Inspiring and empowering creative design!”
Taylor, Exhibit Visitor
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OPEN SPACE SOIRÉE KANEKO hosted its first Open Space Soirée in September 2014.The event provided an opportunity to showcase the organization’s impact in the Omaha area, while gaining important financial support for KANEKO programming. Guests at KANEKO’s Open Space Soirée mingled with other constituents,KANEKO members, and staff and enjoyed delicious food and wonderful entertainment. Guests at the Open Space Soirée were the first to see Design Legends, KANEKO’s Fall 2014 exhibition featuring three of the most important architectural/industrial design figures in the United States.
“KANEKO Soirée is a finalist for Metro Magazine’s Best Event 2015” Metro Magazine
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REDEFINING THE LITERARY READING
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FEEDBACK feedback is a two-part, ongoing series that supports and engages Omaha’s active literary scene and connects writers with authors. Last year’s feedback readers challenged the typical format of literary readings by inviting the audience into their creative process. Following the readings, featured writers led hands-on writing workshops, which pushed the audience to develop individual work. KANEKO’s feedback program explored the balance between writers and their audience and expanded the definition of creative process in literary art in Nebraska.
“I love feedback. The readings and workshops always bring something fresh to the table.” feedback Workshop Participant
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KANEKO-UNO LIBRARY PARTNERSHIP KANEKO’s ongoing partnership with the KANEKO-UNO library expands its impact in the Omaha area through increasing and diversifying visitors. Use of the KANEKO-UNO library is a benefit of KANEKO membership and crossprogramming opportunities provide Omaha’s population with additional creative experiences. Collaboration with the library provides an intersection with the college and youth population of Omaha.
“The corridors of libraries have fostered creativity since antiquity. KANEKO is continuing and expanding upon the tradition in new and exciting ways and fearlessly embraces bold, inclusive topics.”
Dave Richards, Dean of UNO Library Services
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FIBER In February 2015, KANEKO’s FIBER exhibit demonstrated the ways in which textiles and fiber art serve as a canvas for multicultural expression and the creative process. With record attendance on opening day, FIBER’s visitors reached a diverse audience from local to global. Through the exhibition, KANEKO received an increased amount of local, national, and international press coverage. The exhibition displayed a wide representation of textile traditions and brought the work of Nick Cave, Jon Eric Riis, and Sheila Hicks to audiences in Omaha.
“Amazing – on so many levels.”
Nancy, Exhibit Visitor
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GREAT MINDS KANEKO programming is dedicated to exploring the creative process across diverse fields in the sciences, arts, and business. KANEKO’s Great Minds Series, welcomes compelling leaders to Omaha who provide insight into the creative process. Great Minds Speaker, Dr. Stuart Brown demonstrated the connection between play, creativity, and wellness and added context to KANEKO’s blockbuster exhibition, PLAY. This ongoing series encourages the audience to tap into, develop, and sustain their own creativity by offering real life examples of creativity in action.
“Awesome talk, big energy.” Matt, Lecture Attendee
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CREATIVE CATALYSTS Creative Catalysts is a community based program that connects select metroarea students with local artists. This ongoing series brings established artists of different mediums and backgrounds to teach and explore art, design, and creativity in the KANEKO gallery space. The program is offered free to the students and the collaborative output becomes an installation in the collaborative exhibition.
“KANEKO’s Creative Catalyst program provided Youth Earna-Bike graduates from the Community Bike Project Omaha a fantastic opportunity to explore their creativity through bikes and discover the artistry of everyday objects.” Charles Mitchell, Program Director, Community Bike Project
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PLAY PLAY, KANEKO’s Summer 2015 exhibition, provided a dynamic environment of exploration for children and families, while encouraging adults of all ages to explore playful creativity. The response to PLAY was tremendous and produced an enormous social media response, new connections with several community and educational organizations, and brought new audience members to KANEKO. The collaborative PLAY exhibition at KANEKO was awarded a Gold Design Award for Environment and Experience at the 2015 AIGA Nebraska Show.
“It’s an understatement to say my kids loved it.” Kim Reiner, ohmyomaha.com
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EKO NOVA KANEKO is collaborating with the Omaha Chamber Music Society on an exciting new music performance series entitled Eko Nova. Eko Nova introduces Omaha audiences to some of the most innovative and inspiring musical works written today – music that looks outward with an openness to a myriad of genres, styles, and forms. With virtuosic performances from the region’s finest musicians, plus guest appearances by extraordinary artists from around the country, these events appeal to a diverse crowd, from lovers of contemporary art, to classical music fans and beyond.
“The type of music being offered is provocative and refreshing.”
Eko Nova Performance Attendee
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