2021 Nebraska Artist Biennial
View the artwork selected for the 2021 Biennial
Nearly 1,000 artworks were submitted for this year’s exhibition and reviewed by a volunteer panel of judges. The first round of judging was conducted online and then selected works were reviewed in-person to determine the final selections for the exhibition. Ultimately, 100 artists representing a variety of artistic styles and disciplines were selected for the 2021 Biennial!
This year’s judging panel included five judges from across Nebraska:
Russ Erpelding (Kearney, NE) — Former ArtReach Curator at the Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA) and current advisor to Gallery 1516
Nicole Herden (Kearney, NE) — Executive Director at the Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA)
Amy Morris (Omaha, NE) — Associate Professor of Art History at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO)
Anne Pagel (Lincoln, NE) — Curator for the Karen & Robert Duncan collection since 2006
John Thein (Omaha, NE) — Full-time artist and former Associate Professor of Art at Creighton University
What is the Biennial?
The Biennial is a juried exhibition of work by Nebraska artists. The exhibition brings together artists from various styles, mediums, and backgrounds and showcases their work to the public. All submissions for the Biennial are reviewed blindly by a panel of judges from across the state. This process ensures artwork is chosen without bias or name-recognition. The Biennial is open to all Nebraska artists, including students and current and former residents.
The original Nebraska Biennial was held at the Joslyn from 1932-1988 with Grant Wood as its first judge. As part of our mission to support Nebraska artists, Gallery 1516 revived the exhibition in 2017 to provide a much-needed stage for a diverse range of artists. In 2019, the Biennial grew to include both 2D and 3D work by over 90 artists.
This year, the Biennial is also hitting the road! After being exhibited at Gallery 1516, selected works will form a traveling exhibition that will be displayed at the Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA) in Kearney during September.
May 7 - August 1 at Gallery 1516
Selected works from the show will be exhibited at MONA in Kearney during September.
Who is Eligible?
The Biennial is open to all artists who have a connection to Nebraska. This includes:
Nebraska residents, both current & former
Students at any Nebraska school, both current & former
Members of Nebraska-based arts groups or societies, Bemis residents, etc.
Selection Process and Exhibition
Each artist can submit up to 2 works for consideration. All submissions will be reviewed by a panel of judges. Judging is done blind to ensure unbiased selections; the judges only see the artwork you submit, not your name or information. Between 75-100 works will be selected for 2021 Biennial exhibition.
After the final pieces have been selected, the judges will also determine the top pieces in each of the 8 categories listed below. These pieces will become the traveling exhibition that will be shown at the Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA) in Kearney following the end of Gallery 1516’s exhibition.
Entry Fee
The application is FREE. This year we are waiving the usual entry fee due to the financial difficulties caused by the pandemic.
This change was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Fred and Eve Simon Charitable Foundation.
Awards
If selected to appear in the Biennial, your work is eligible to receive one of several unrestricted cash awards chosen by the judges. One $2,500 best in show award and ten $500 category awards are available.
Artwork Categories
Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, Printmaking, Photography, Ceramics/Pottery, Multimedia/Other, Student
Special Thanks to
The Fred and Eve Simon Charitable Foundation
The Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA)
and
Friends of Gallery 1516