Update From The Union For Contemporary Art Executive Director

Dear Supporters for The Union for Contemporary Art,

A message of thanks to all our great supporters and friends. We have so appreciated all the recent messages of support and greatly look forward to the growth and development for the organization ahead.

As many of you are aware, after some careful planning and in consideration of our operational needs, we implemented a restructuring plan to streamline our operations. These decisions were made thoughtfully and with the future of our organization in mind, but it did come at some cost, in that we ended up eliminating four positions. We recognize that personnel changes can be challenging, and we want to emphasize that these decisions were not made lightly, nor were they driven by malice or retaliation. Rather, they reflect our dedication to ensuring that The Union continues to serve artists and our North Omaha Community Effectively.

We want to be clear that we deeply value the contributions of all past and present team members and remain focused on our mission to use the arts as a vehicle for positive social change.

We appreciate the understanding and support of our community during this transition. These changes come as a result of our strategic planning and we are excited for our future. The Union has always prioritized financial stewardship, ensuring that our resources are allocated to best serve our mission and community is a priority. Claims that we are in financial trouble or that fundraising efforts are inadequate misrepresent the reality of our ongoing strategic planning which are for the betterment of the organization.

We are aware of unwarranted social media posts and the unauthorized use of our database to reach out to our supporters and funders. This is deeply unfortunate, as the information is being presented with an alternative motivation which is not accurate. In addition, we regret that others have used our information to spread this message and in some cases to make aggressive statements directed at our team. We are implementing security measures and appropriate steps to ensure the safety of our staff, artists, and community as well as to reinforce our use of technology security.

Following some of these changes, there are at least some on our team who have expressed a desire for a unionized workforce. Our management team and Board has no aversion to such a concept and while complicated, are working through how that presents itself with the union at issue and the agencies which regulate such matters.

We remain committed to fostering a safe, creative, and inclusive space for all. We deeply appreciate the continued support of our artists, funders, and community members, and we encourage open and constructive dialogue as we move forward together.

We recognize the deep passion our community has for The Union, and we remain committed to our mission of using the arts as a vehicle for social change. Organizational changes can be challenging, but they are often necessary for growth and sustainability.

Transparency and accountability are core values of our institution, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering a thriving arts community while ensuring the long-term sustainability of our organization. We welcome open, constructive conversations with our community and remain committed to moving forward with integrity and purpose. We remain committed to transparency and will continue to engage with our community in a direct and responsible manner.

If you have any questions or concerns, we encourage you to reach out to us directly.

-Lakesha Green, Executive Director