KEEP BENSON GOOD WEIRD
KEEP BENSON GOOD WEIRD
About
Welcome to the Benson Creative District
Mission
Our mission is to advance creativity and the economic vitality in the historic Benson Community.
Vision
Our vision is to elevate artists, amplify Benson’s creative spirit, and serve as a hub for creative enterprise and expression in the Midwest.
Values
Creativity
Art is Everywhere - We value the arts in all aspects of our lives; beyond visual, and immersed into schools, businesses, community spaces, outdoors, parks, streets, alleys, etc.
Equity
All Are Welcome - We value diversity, inclusion, and differing ideas from all residents, stakeholders, and visitors.
Community
We’re Human - We value helping each other, learning from each other and providing a safe and sustainable atmosphere for all.
Collaboration
We’re “Tight Knit” - We value our supportive community and seek collaborative partnerships among all Benson residents and visitors.
Originality
We’re Original - We value grassroot ideals and hold space for all creatives to innovate freely.
Meet the new BCD Director, Annie Butler!
Annie Butler is the director of the newly State designated Benson Creative District. Having served on the board for BFF Omaha (formerly Benson First Friday) since it’s inception in 2012, she has strong ties to both the arts and the Benson community at large.
In her previous role as BFF’s Advocacy chair, she utilized the arts and BFF’s platform to advocate for various social causes. Some of her curated projects include the “Call to Action Phone-Booth,” a temporary public art piece designed to encourage advocacy and communication between citizens and government, and “Voices of Choice”, a project in collaboration with Nebraskans for Abortion Access where artworks by 10 local artists were displayed on billboards across the state. With a background in Sociology, she brings a unique perspective and human approach to place-based economic development. An expert in qualitative research methods, she’s able to focus on individual and collective experiences. By combining those experiences with the arts and culture, she aims to create a blueprint for inclusive community driven development.
Looking for more?
Check out our FAQ’s and Strategic Plan below!
Land Acknowledgment
BCD acknowledges the historical legacy of colonialism by honoring and paying respect to the land, which was taken by conquest, along with the domination of the people who inhabited the land, and the imposition of white supremacy. We do it to raise greater public consciousness of Native sovereignty and cultural rights as a small step toward equitable relationship and reconciliation.
We acknowledge the historical legacy of colonialism and non-western ways of knowing that holistically link mind, body, spirit, and the human and non-human.
We acknowledge that the space we are in, and the land we are on, are part of who we are and how we know the world.Here in Omaha we are on native UmoHo (Omaha) and Ochethi Sakowin land. “Ni Bthaska” is the UmoHo term for “flat water.”
Benson Creative District Managing Partners
