Building community
through arts engagement.
Values. BFF supports the Arts & Community by Advocating for Education, Inclusion, Opportunity, and Unique Experiences. AEIOU! (We’d like to buy a vowel!)
Vision. While continuing to build community in Benson and Omaha, BFF envisions using our 8-year history as a guiding template to expand the mission to build community through arts engagement in other neighborhoods and cities.
Belief. We believe that everyone has the right to create, experience, and cultivate the arts in our communities.
Acknowledgment.
BFF Omaha 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.”
To learn more visit Native-Land.ca
Vision. While continuing to build community in Benson and Omaha, BFF envisions using our 8-year history as a guiding template to expand the mission to build community through arts engagement in other neighborhoods and cities.
Belief. We believe that everyone has the right to create, experience, and cultivate the arts in our communities.
Acknowledgment.
BFF Omaha 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.”
To learn more visit Native-Land.ca
Send us an email :)The best way to get ahold of yer BFFs is via email at info@bffomaha.org
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THE BFF STORYFounded and operated by Alex Jochim & Jamie Hardy
as Benson First Friday in June 2012, BFF Omaha gained nonprofit status in July 2015 after managing 3 years of monthly First Friday art walks. The duo, along with many more acquired organizers, wanted to see the organization grow from a once-a-month gathering to one that supported the area arts on a daily basis. They then began producing projects such as public art, regional-outreach, gallery operations, youth engagement, merchandise and more. In 2019, BFF took the big step away from "Benson First Friday" and turned our nickname into our official name: simply "BFF." And now 10 years later, BFF continues to grow and gain regional attention as a major influencer for the area arts and creative culture, continuing to Build Community Through Arts Engagement. 
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OUR TEAMBFF is an 85% volunteer-run organization!!!
Our volunteer staff is comprised of local artists, business owners & operators, neighborhood staff, and community members! Each and every one of us are dedicated to BFF, its mission, and its programming. A true passion project. And we are always looking to add different ideas and perspectives to the mix! If interested in lending a hand, shoot us an email at info@bffomaha.org! 
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The Crew
This is the DREAM TEAM behind the organization.
**PLEASE NOTE - every single one of these angels are VOLUNTEERS for the organization.
Show them some love next time you see them :)
**PLEASE NOTE - every single one of these angels are VOLUNTEERS for the organization.
Show them some love next time you see them :)
Alex Jochim,
Co-Founder & Executive Director |
Linda Hilliar,
President of the Board |
JP Gurnett,
Communications Director |
Saraya "Ziggy" Vogel,
First Friday Admin & Board Inclusion Chair |
Liz Thrash,
Artist Market & Communications |
Laura Simpson,
Youth Coordinator |
Katera Brown,
Administrative Assistant & Lead Photographer |
Joe Addison, Petshop
DéShaun Shelly,
Artist Market |
Lindsay Jump,
Communications |
Ben Matukewicz,
Board Member |
Shelby Audiss,
Board Education Chair |
Ang Bennett,
Vice President of the Board & BFF Gallery Curator |
Ramanda Fuelberth,
Treasurer of the Board |
Grace Short,
MaMO Gallery Curator |
Annie Butler,
Board Member |
Sarah Cavanagh,
Secretary of the Board |
Parker Brown,
Donor Management |
Olivia Bell,
First Fridays |
Ned Vasquez,
Green Team |
Zach Schmieder, PETFEST
Sarah Ferguson, Petshop
Caitlin Little, Advisor from Afar / former Development Director
MANY CREW MEMBERS NOT PICTURED...
BFF CODE OF CONDUCT
The BFF Code of Conduct reflects our daily operations, core values, and overall culture.
We expect all volunteers, employees, guests, artists, partners, other representatives,
and associated members to abide by this code.
We expect all volunteers, employees, guests, artists, partners, other representatives,
and associated members to abide by this code.
BFF Core Values
Here at BFF, we'd like to buy a vowel! Because AEIOU! stands for:
Advocate for Education, Inclusion, Opportunity, and Unique Experiences.
Advocate for Education, Inclusion, Opportunity, and Unique Experiences.
BFF Advocates for...
- Education
BFF strives to provide education through workshops, youth engagement, interactive elements, intern programs, and by working with emerging artists, curators, and community activists.
- Inclusion
BFF invites all communities and peoples to join in and engage in our projects and programming. Accessibility and inclusion for all keeps BFF vibrant and flourishing. (See Inclusion statements below)
- Opportunity
BFF gives opportunities to artists, businesses, volunteers, youth, communities and organizations by bringing them together and providing an arena for engagement and interaction.
- Unique Experiences
Keepin’ “Benson Bent” & “Good Weird,” BFF encourages originality, novelties, and perhaps unconventional ideas and strategies to support the arts and the neighborhood.
Guiding Principles
When interacting with or under BFF, keep these key principles in mind as guidance for action.
Help Others (Core Values: Education & Inclusivity)
Be Creative (Core Values: Unique Experiences)
Have Integrity (Core Values: Education, Inclusivity, Opportunity, Unique Experiences)
Be Respectful (Core Values: Education, Inclusivity, Opportunity, Unique Experiences)
Enjoy Yourself (Core Values: Education, Inclusivity, Opportunity, Unique Experiences)
- Help others through action, interaction, and compassion. Strive to be inclusive and help educate.
Be Creative (Core Values: Unique Experiences)
- Creativity cannot be or come from normalcy and shouldn’t be treated as such.
By opening up our minds and tapping into creativity, we provide unique experiences for the community.
Have Integrity (Core Values: Education, Inclusivity, Opportunity, Unique Experiences)
- Work in a dignified and serious manner, throughout all actions - and no matter how unique the action, integrity keeps it relative to the mission. Do unto others...
Be Respectful (Core Values: Education, Inclusivity, Opportunity, Unique Experiences)
- We are all in this together, and cannot progress without respect for each other, our surroundings, our belongings, and the community at large.
Enjoy Yourself (Core Values: Education, Inclusivity, Opportunity, Unique Experiences)
- Life is too short and it’s later than you think. If you are genuinely enjoying your actions and involvement with BFF, then you are doing the right thing, in the right place, at the right time.
Download the BFF Code of Conduct
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Proudly supported by:
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This project is generously funded by Mid-America Arts Alliance, the National Endowment for the Arts,
and the state arts agencies of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas.
and the state arts agencies of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Please support our sponsors!
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