Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA)

BVH Architecture

Recognitions: Central States Award for Excellence in Architecture

Project Description

The Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA) in Kearney is home to the state’s official art collection and a champion of Nebraska artists. Originally a 1911 post office, the building was converted to a museum in 1986 and renovated in 1993. While listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the facility no longer met MONA’s growing needs for accessibility, preservation, and public engagement across curatorial, educational, and operational goals. A transformative expansion and renovation have redefined MONA’s role as a cultural and civic cornerstone for the region. The project adds 23,000 square feet of new space and introduces a 43,000-square-foot sculpture garden on what was once a surface parking lot. A new universally accessible entrance, set back from the historic façade, honors the original architecture while signaling a renewed public welcome and a more inclusive visitor experience. Inside, a central spine links old and new spaces, connecting updated galleries with a museum store, flexible event space, and a naturally lit community studio. A new ground-floor gallery supports traveling and changing exhibitions, while upper-level galleries—framed in exposed mass timber—accommodate MONA’s permanent collection with expanded capacity and curatorial flexibility. Ceiling heights reach 18 feet, allowing for a wide range of artwork and installation types. Filtered daylight, framed views, and sustainable materials—like zinc cladding, regional stone, and native woods—reinforce MONA’s connection to its landscape and cultural context. Below grade, a climate-controlled vault and art handling spaces support long-term stewardship, conservation, and back-of-house efficiency. Outside, the sculpture garden transforms the eastern edge of the site into a civic landscape. Featuring native plantings, shaded seating, accessible paths, and integrated artwork, the garden is open year-round and free to the public, supporting gathering, reflection, and daily use. With this transformation, MONA reaffirms its mission to preserve, present, and celebrate Nebraska’s artistic legacy—rooted in place, shaped by