From self-guided activities to facilitated programs and events, opportunities abound to find inspiration and connection with art, yourself, and others.

Community Programs

A man and a young girl are sitting at a table doing arts and crafts, with colored papers, markers, and scissors scattered on the table. Next to them, another man and a woman are also engaged in similar activities. The room has bright green walls with artwork displayed.

KIDS & FAMILIES

Grab a set of Art Cards with ideas to make your visit easy and fun, stop by Art Works: A Place for Curiosity for hands-on fun, sign up for a studio class, or enjoy creative family time at a special event. Young visitors can be a Museum Hero by wearing a wristband (available at the Welcome Desk) to show they are ready to protect the art.

Art-tastic Saturdays
First Saturdays of the month are for art fun! Stop by from 11 am to 2 pm for gallery activities, special presentations, and creative exploration designed for all ages.

KETV Family Festival
The Joslyn is part of the Holiday Lights Festival’s (Nov 29–Jan 1) KETV Family Festival, an annual program presented in partnership with downtown Omaha’s arts and cultural community. Enjoy family-friendly art projects, music performances, gallery activities, and more. It will take place Dec 7, 11 am–4 pm. Find out more here.

Art Works

Teens

Looking for an inspiring place to hang out and have fun? Find your favorite spot to sketch in the galleries or make new friends in a studio program or at an event. Click below for information about The Joslyn’s arts mentoring program for teens.

Kent Bellows Mentoring Program
Young Artist Exhibition Opening Weekend
Fri, Aug 1, 6–9 pm and Sat, Aug 2, 11 am–2 pm
Find out more here.

Hallowteen
The Joslyn will be open for an after-hours, teens-only event with music, gallery tours with a haunted vibe, a selfie photo booth, pumpkin painting, designing your own decorative banner, a cookie-decorating station, and more yummy sweets and snacks. It will take place Oct 24, 6–9 pm. Registration is required for this free program. Find out more here.

Kent Bellows Mentoring Program

A speaker on stage delivers a presentation titled "Italy at the Center" to an audience. Two seated panelists are onstage near a screen displaying images and text. The audience watches attentively in a dimly lit auditorium.

Adults

Find fresh ways to experience The Joslyn that will stretch your intellect and imagination, offer peace, or provide some sizzle.

Nights at The Joslyn
Thursday evenings are for art immersion! Once a month, come out from 5 pm to 8 pm for gallery talks, live music, art making, special programs, and tasty food and drink (for purchase).

Public Tours
Join our Gallery Volunteers for a lively conversation that will engage the senses and build visual literacy skills. Drop-in program; no registration required.

Group Visits
Interested in coming to The Joslyn with a group of twelve or more adults? Plan ahead and book a self-guided visit or a guided tour. Four weeks notice required.

Visualizing Literature:
Visualizing Literature explores connections between the literary and visual arts through moderated book discussions and gallery tours led by trained Visualizing Literature Volunteers. Registration required.

Upcoming dates in 2025 and 2026: Registration is open now for Nov 19 and Nov 22 (All That She Carried: The Journey of Ashley’s Sack, a Black Family Keepsake by Tiya Miles); Feb 18 and 21 (The Sea of Grass: A Family Tale from the American Heartland by Walter R. Echo-Hawk); and Apr 15 and 18 (The Last Painting of Sara de Vos: A Novel by Dominic Smith).

Learn About Group Visits

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

The Joslyn collaborates with individuals and organizations throughout the metro to generate meaningful art experiences, together. Have an idea for a partnership? Please tell us about it.

Fall 2025 Community Partnership Programs

VIP Visitors
VIP Visitors is a special invitation program for community groups to join in the fun at our monthly events, Art-tastic Saturdays and Nights at The Joslyn. This new program offers special perks, including an at-your-location presentation, discounts, and refreshments. In November 2025, we are happy to host our first VIP Visitor group, the Learning Community Center of South Omaha.

The Art of Healing Fashion Show: Stories, Stitches & The Sacred, Nov 2, 1–3 pm (includes reception): This special event by Healing Ribbons showcases culturally relevant regalia created by Indigenous artists who have woven their personal journeys of healing, grief, and survival into each piece. Registration is required for this free program. Find out more here.

CreativeMornings, Dec 12, 8:30 am–10 am: The Joslyn is the host site for December’s CreativeMornings, with the theme of Innovation. Jewel Rodgers, 2025–2029 Nebraska State Poet, will be the featured speaker, and coffee and light refreshments will be provided. Registration is required for this free program. Find out more here.