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.
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.
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THE BFF STORYAfter months of planning and research, Benson First Friday began in June 2012 with the help of organizers Alex Jochim & Jamie Hardy. Although the June 2012 event was planned as a one-time gig, Jochim and Hardy saw so much success and promise in the night that they immediately began planning the following month...and the following month...and the following month (you get it).
Three years later - after many months of event planning, artist curating and installing, collaborating with Benson businesses and growing with the help of community support - BFF was granted 501c-3 nonprofit status in July 2015. The duo, along with many more acquired organizers, had wanted to see the organization grow from just a once-a-month gathering to one that supported the area arts on a daily basis. Now in 2020, BFF continues to grow its influence outside of Benson and into other areas of Omaha and the surrounding area. We took the big step away from "Benson First Friday" and turned our nickname into our official name: We are simply "BFF." 
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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 passionate about BFF and its programming. This truly is a 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@bensonfirstfriday.com! 
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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
Caitlin Little, Development Director
John-Paul Gurnett, Communications Director
Linda Hilliar, Vice President
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Brittani Button, President of the Board
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Shelby Audiss, Education Chair
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Parker Brown, Membership Coordinator
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Kirby Kaufman, Member of the Board
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Saraya "Ziggy" Vogel, First Fridays
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Annie Butler,
Member of the Board |
Ang Bennett,
Inclusion Chair |
Sarah Cavanagh,
Secretary of the Board |
Ramanda Fuelberth,
Treasurer of the Board |
Joe Addison, Petshop
Katera Brown, Photography
RIKÉ, GenQ
Liz Thrash, Artist Market
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Olivia Bell, Young & Restless
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Laura Simpson, Youth
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Ned Vasquez, Green Team
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Zach Schmieder, PETFEST
Sarah Ferguson, Petshop
DéShaun Shelly, Event Volunteer
Kate Jensen, Event Volunteer
Ben Matukewicz, Green Team
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Nicole Hulstein, Artist Market
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Grace Short, MaMO Gallery
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Crew Members not pictured:
Delaney Nordbrock (Green Team), Melinda Sorenson (MaMO Gallery), Mr. Little Cat (Walk it Out), CC Pebbles (Walk it Out), Jasmine Eggert (Youth Engagement), Stephanie Diaz (GenQ)
& SO MANY MORE.
Delaney Nordbrock (Green Team), Melinda Sorenson (MaMO Gallery), Mr. Little Cat (Walk it Out), CC Pebbles (Walk it Out), Jasmine Eggert (Youth Engagement), Stephanie Diaz (GenQ)
& SO MANY MORE.
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.
BFF Inclusion
BFF cultivates diversity and inclusion by creating educational & artistic experiences, collaborations,
and opportunities that are visible and accessible.
and opportunities that are visible and accessible.
Inclusion Vision Statement
BFF intentionally fosters inclusion by expanding education efforts for both youth and adults, creating higher visibility & transparency among various demographics, groups & communities, diversifying artist outreach and open call tactics, and including marginalized community representation within the organization.
Inclusion Tactics & Strategy
BFF intentionally fosters inclusion by expanding education efforts for both youth and adults, creating higher visibility & transparency among various demographics, groups & communities, diversifying artist outreach and open call tactics, and including marginalized community representation within the organization.
Inclusion Tactics & Strategy
- Diversify open calls & artist outreach: Provide alternatives to the online submission process.
- Expand education opportunities, mentorships, & youth partnerships.
- Create a wider visibility through artist swaps, worldwide curation, & city-wide promotional efforts.
- Expand beyond the Benson neighborhood and into the greater Omaha area.
- Continue to expand collaborations & partnerships with diverse organizations.
- Continue to offer programming that fosters multidisciplinary experiences.