kaneko annual report 2015

KANEKO

ANNUAL REPORT

2015

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

L E T T E R F R O M T H E D I R E C TO R

Photo by Ben Semisch 5

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

KANEKO

BOARD

OF

DIRECTORS

66

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

KANEKO

PARTNERS

7

DONORS1,000,000+

Anonymous

Karen and Robert Duncan

Holland Family Foundation

Richard Holland

Ree and Jun Kaneko

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

Douglas County

First National Bank of Omaha

Gerry and Bruce Lauritzen

Kathy and Marc LeBaron

Nebraska Arts Council

Anne and John P. Nelson

Sherwood Foundation

Gail and Mike Yanney

$50,000—99,999

Alan and Marcia Baer Family Charitable Trust

Bentley Gallery, Inc.

Clark Creative Group

Distribution Fund

Dorothy B. Davis Family Foundation

Sandie Eskin

Eskin Family Foundation

Linda Esterling and Steve Wake

Gallery Kasahara

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

Vrana Construction

Wake Charitable Foundation

$25,000—49,999

Leisa and David Austin

Sandy Besser

Susie Buffett

Bullseye Glass Company

Elaine and Sidney Cohen

The Contemporary Museum

Barbara and Eric Dobkin

Dobkin Family Foundation

Elaine Baker Gallery

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

Sharee and Murray Newman

Omaha Hotel Corporation

Brian Pelowski

Justin Perri

Deb Peterson

Patricia and Earl Scudder

SilverStone Group

Kippy Boulton Stroud

Warren Distribution

Woods Charitable Fund

Donna Woods and Jon Hinrichs

Kristae and Peter Zandbergen

Thank you to our generous supporters

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$10,000—24,999

Acklie Charitable Foundation

John and Kelly Balistreri

Rkachea and Bruce Carpenter

ConAgra Foods (Research, Quality and Innovation)

Alice Corning and Richard Massey

Elaine Baker Gallery

Carol Gendler

Gerald Peters Gallery

Carmen and John Gottschalk

Jan E. Hailey

Sidonie Haines

HDR

ilumin

Larry A. Jobeun

Locks Gallery

Patricia and John MacDonald

Nancy and Michael McCarthy

Nana Smith and J.B. Milliken

Mission Clay Products

Montessori Co-op School

Sandy and Jeffrey A. Passer, M.D.

Perry V. Haines Foundation

Peggy Reinecke and Dean Arkfeld

Sherry Leedy Gallery

Betiana and Todd Simon

Annette and Paul Smith

Lisa and Thomas Smith

Smith Kramer Fine Art Services

Shirley and Michael Sorrell

Ann and Gene Spence

Therman Statom

University of Iowa

University of Nebraska Foundation

University of Wyoming

Valmont Industries, Inc.

Dawn and Carl Von Bernuth

Kate and Roger Weitz

$5,000—9,999

Dayton Visual Arts Center

Marilyn and Terry Diamond

Melissa and Patrick J. Duffy

Ayman El-Mohandes, MBBCh, MD, MPH

The Fabric Workshop and Museum

FVB Foundation, Inc.

Howard Farber

Claire M. Hubbard Foundation

Maureen and Richard Hunt

International Sculpture Center

Jewish Community Foundation (California)

Angie and Dan Muhleisen

Fredrick P. Ogren

Paypal, Inc.

RDO Truck Center

Jane and Ky Rohman

Georgina and Thomas Russo

Laura Russo Gallery

Betty and Jack Schafer

Laura and Greg Schnackel

Suzanne and Walter Scott Foundation

Turkey and Peter Stremmel

Dr. Peter Suzuki

Monté and Duane Thompson

Ted Townsend

Union Pacific Corporation

Dorothy and Fred Weiss

Lyn and C. Thomas White

William Traver Gallery

$2,500—4,999

Lela Autio

Cindy and Mogens C. Bay

Bruce Frasier Architects

Jan Buckingham and Lauren Ronald

Chabad-Lubavich of Nebraska

Alice Corning and Richard Massey

Dicobe Tapes, Inc.

Peter Durst

Shehzad Hasan

Helen and Richard Kelley

Lincoln Financial Foundation

Maurine Littleton

Locks Gallery

Royce Maynard

McCarthy Capital Corporation

Morgan Stanley

Nancy and Steven Oliver

Jeanne and Bill Penry

Louis G. Pol

Rena Bransten Gallery

Susan Schonlau

Troia Schonlau

Sue and Steve Seline

The Springcreek Foundation

Union Bank and Trust

University of Nebraska – Omaha

Lou Ann and Del Weber

Diane Wilsey

Mary and John Wilson

Anita and Ron Wornick

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FRIENDS MEMBERSS.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

Monté and Duane Thompson

Steve Wake

Sheila Christ and Fred Vakili

Sue Pridemore

Joan Squires and Thomas Fay

Susy Westerholm

CREATIVE CIRCLE MEMBERS Cindy and Mogens C. Bay

Dan and Esther Brabec

Annette and Paul Smith

TRUSTEESKristae 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

SPONSORS Thanks to our corporate partners for their ongoing support:

First National Bank

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.

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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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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.

FOUNDATI

ON

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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.

MISSI

ON

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SUPPORTING AND

PROMOTING FREEDOM IN

CREATIVITY IS KANEKO’S

MISSION

PROGRAMMING

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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KANEKO 2015 EXPENSES

PROGRAM DELIVERY

Program Development 7.7%

Education/Outreach 22.5%

Exhibitions 31.4%

Non-Exhibit Program Expenses 11.7%

SUPPORTING SERVICES

Fundraising 12.2%

Administration 14.5%

FINANCIALS

Exhibitions31%

Administration 15%

Fundrasing 12%

Non-Exhibit Program Expenses

12%

Education / Outreach

23%

Program Development

8%

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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

18,000

1,3500

9,000

4,500

0

TRUCK-A-TECTURE

4,800

DESIGN LEGENDS

5,300

FIBER

7,800

PLAY

17,650

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TRUCK-A-TECTUREKANEKO 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 CAMPSEvery 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 Omaha-Metro. 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 one-of-a-kind learning experience.

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“The camp really opened up our family’s eyes to the importance of architecture in our daily lives.”

John, KANEKO Member

DESIGN LEGENDSOlson 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 SOIRÉEKANEKO 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.

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“KANEKO Soirée is a finalist for Metro Magazine’s Best Event 2015”Metro Magazine

R E D E F I N I N G T H E L I T E R A R Y R E A D I N G

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FEEDBACKfeedback 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.

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“I love feedback. The readings and workshops always bring something fresh to the table.”

feedback Workshop Participant

KANEKO-UNO LIBRARY PARTNERSHIPKANEKO’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 cross-programming opportunities provide Omaha’s population with additional creative experiences. Collaboration with the library provides an intersection with the college and youth population of Omaha.

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“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

FIBERIn 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 MINDSKANEKO 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 CATALYSTSCreative Catalysts is a community based program that connects select metro-area 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.

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“KANEKO’s Creative Catalyst program provided Youth Earn-a-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

PLAYPLAY, 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.

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“It’s an understate-ment to say my kids loved it.”Kim Reiner, ohmyomaha.com

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.

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“The type of music being offered is provocative and refreshing.”Eko Nova Performance Attendee

kaneko annual report 2015

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