About

Building community
through arts engagement.

Values.  BFF supports the Arts & our Community through Advocacy, 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 10-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 STORY

Founded and operated by Alex Jochim & JD 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:
BFF Omaha.

And now 11 years later, Benson is an official Creative District, and 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.

OUR TEAM

BFF is an 93% artist-run organization!!!

Our volunteers and staff are 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.

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!

The Crew

Makayla Harrie
Board DEIA Chair
+ Membership Coordinator

Linda Hilliar
President of the Board
+ Benson Creative District

Shelby Audiss
Board Education Chair

Annie Butler
Board Advocacy Chair
+ PETFEST

Ang Bennett
Vice President of the Board
+ BFF Gallery Curator

Sarah Cavanagh
Secretary of the Board

Erin Foley
Treasurer of the Board

Alex Jochim
Co-Founder & Executive Director

JP Gurnett
Communications & Creative Director

Saraya "Ziggy" Vogel
First Friday

Laura Simpson
Youth Engagement
+ TeenLine Coordinator

Katera Brown
Lead Photographer
+ First Friday

Ang Gahan
MaMO Gallery, Community Outreach + Development

Joe Addison, Petshop

VIY
MaMO Gallery, First Friday,
+ Green Team

Tim Berg
First Friday

Sarah Ferguson
Petshop

Alex Dunwoody
Petshop

Katie Bugz
Development

Olivia Bell
First Friday

Jae Meyer
Development

Zach Schmieder
PETFEST

Caitlin Little, Advisor from Afar

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.

BFF Core Values

Here at BFF, we'd like to buy a vowel! Because AEIOU! stands for:
Advocacy, Education, Inclusion, Opportunity, and Unique Experiences.

BFF supports the Arts & Community through...

Advocacy
BFF encourages advocating for social justice, positive progression, artist support and retention, and an overall more cohesive and collaborative community.

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. Diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion for all keeps BFF vibrant and flourishing.

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: Advocacy, Education & Inclusivity)

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: Advocacy, 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: Advocacy, 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: Advocacy, 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.