Our Mission

This mission of Lux Center for the Arts is to enhance the live of a diverse public through the visual arts by providing exceptional learning opportunities in contemporary art, craft, and design. These opportunities, honoring the legacy of arts educator Gladys M. Lux, include art classes, residency programs, gallery exhibitions, and community outreach.

• We believe learning about the visual arts enhances lives of individuals and adds vibrancy to our community.
  
• We believe we can be most effective when we involve a wide variety of community members in our vision for the future.
  
• We believe inclusiveness and outreach with respect to accessibility, diversity and creative expression are important.
  
• We believe the highest degree of professional standards and conduct should be employed in all programs.
  
• We believe that working with other non-profit organizations increases our effectiveness and expands our ability to fulfill our mission. Together we are stronger.
  
• We believe efficiency, financial strength and fiscal responsibility are essential to the future of the organization and our ability to provide services for our community.

Our New Initiative: Art Van deLUX

Art Van deLUX will take our quality art classes to schools, senior living facilities, youth-serving agencies, daycare centers, rehabilitation centers, among others. Staff at these types of facilities told us that they want art classes for their clients, but they do not have the staff or the materials to make it happen. All materials, supplies, and art teachers will be transported so that transportation is no longer a barrier for participation in art experiences! Once Art Van deLUX is at its appointed place, students will make and glaze ceramic pots, carve a woodblock to print an original work of art, paint a watercolor, weave a wall hanging, or make beaded jewelry. Custom classes can be arranged to suit the skill and ability level of the students.

Impacting Our Community

• youth gain a creative and competitive edge to prepare them for the workforce
  
• students learn to think through problems to find multiple solutions
  
• youth and adults experience improved self-efficacy
  
• youth gain understanding of and appreciation for others and their creative process
  
• art making is a high motivator for learning other subjects like social studies, math, and language
  
• art making can stave off depression and social isolation in the elderly
  
• students of all ages gain an enhanced understanding of the world around them.
  

Here’s a story about how our art classes helped a Lincoln family:

My youngest daughter was struggling in school and had to get services so she was unable to attend specials, thus no art class. I felt and still do believe art is important. She needed a creative outlet, and a different part of her brain needed to be stimulated. Luckily for us, Lux has a scholarship program and she qualified. Since then she has been taking classes regularly! I wanted my oldest daughter to just do something (since she wasn't working and teenagers don't need a lot of free time), so I had her volunteer. She also was unable to take art classes at school because of her schedule, so again the Lux proved invaluable! I asked Jenni (the education director) and my oldest daughter was able to volunteer in my youngest daughter’s class. At the time, they were not getting along well, and a counselor suggested they do more things together, again, thank god for the Lux. I saw how much fun they both were having and what a positive experience it was.

K. Rockwell

The Driving Force