Art Community Engagement
Has Cali Commons (or the building’s former lives) had an impact on you as an artist, visitor, or neighbor? Please share with us!
Our Mission: Creative Empowerment. At the heart of Cali Commons is a mission rooted in creative empowerment. We equip artists with the tools, confidence, and community needed to bring their ideas into form. Through educational programs, mentorship, workshops, and collaborative projects, Cali Commons helps artists move from inspiration to realization.
Cali Commons empowers emerging and re-emerging artists to step into their creative identity. We believe empowerment happens when artists are supported holistically — creatively, emotionally, and communally — giving them the freedom to take risks and flourish. We also believe that empowerment begins with opportunity — and by offering space, guidance, and community, we help artists turn potential into purpose.
The Community – Rooted in Collaboration, Blooming in Creativity Cali Commons thrives on collective energy. As a creative nursery, it’s a place where collaboration is organic and every voice contributes to a living ecosystem of art. From workshops and pop-ups to public installations and youth programs, our community reflects the diversity and vibrancy of Omaha’s creative culture. Here, growth is shared — artists learn from each other, uplift one another, and together cultivate a landscape where creativity continues to bloom.
Join the Movement! Whether you’re an emerging artist seeking guidance, a re-emerging creator rediscovering your spark, or a community partner looking to invest in local creativity — Cali Commons welcomes you. Together, we grow ideas into impact.
How does Cali Commons fit into the community?
Cali Commons is part of the Castle and Cathedral Creative District which seeks to “use and celebrate the power of the arts to build community, inspire cultural creation, and strengthen the ability of cultural and artistic organizations in the district to achieve (and drive) social and economic success.”
Creative Districts, established and celebrated by the Nebraska Art Council, “are designated cultural and economic areas where innovation flourishes and neighborhoods come together in the name of art. They provide significant economic impact by creating purposeful spaces like art galleries, theatres, and music venues, attracting employees and businesses.”
Cali Commons also is a member of and hosts Joslyn Castle Neighborhood Association (JCNA) meetings. JCNA organizes neighborhood clean-up days, plants trees, maintains their Little Free Library stocked, advocates for neighborhood in issues of zoning and regulations, and keep our neighbors informed about important issues.