UNO Announces Samuel Bak Museum: The Learning Center, Executive Director

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) has announced the next steps for a museum and community-focused learning space dedicated to the life and work of renowned artist and Holocaust survivor Samuel Bak.

Work has officially begun on developing Samuel Bak Museum: The Learning Center, which is scheduled to open its first phase in Aksarben Village, near the Scott Campus, in February 2023.

In this phase, the Museum will house 99 pieces of Bak’s work through rotating exhibitions as well as classroom and presentation spaces for tours, lectures, and curated programming. A second phase, which features plans for a fully stand-alone facility that will engage the community through a “house of questions” where educational activities and events will be held on topics including human rights, genocide studies, the Holocaust, and artistic expression.

Samuel Bak Museum: The Learning Center will be led by Hillary Nather-Detisch, who began her role as executive director this past July following a national search to identify the inaugural leader for the vital effort. She joined UNO after spending eight years as director of development for Omaha’s Joslyn Art Museum.

“Our collective world history is one of triumph, but not without significant tragedy as well. It's through conversation about these difficult times from our past and present that can help us understand ways to change the future,” UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA said. “We want to provide spaces on our campus, and our community, where those tough conversations and questions can take place. Samuel Bak Museum: The Learning Center will be a true space for enhancing and supporting the intellectual curiosity of our students, our citizens, and our future leaders.”

Beginning with a visit by Bak to UNO in 2019 and following the donation of more than 500 pieces of artwork from the artist in 2021, the announcement of the creation of Samuel Bak Museum: The Learning Center and hiring of its executive director mark an important step forward for the campus-wide initiative that is spearheaded through UNO Academic Affairs.

In her new role, Nather-Detisch will report to UNO’s senior vice chancellor and work closely with leaders from across campus and the Omaha community, including philanthropic, government, and corporate partners, to develop the museum’s foundational operations and structure.

“As a campus that is nationally recognized for our community engagement efforts, there is no question that we must be a leader in Omaha and our region for high-quality educational experiences that are available to everyone,” Deborah Smith-Howell, Ph.D., interim senior vice chancellor for academic affairs said. “With her vast experience in developing community relationships in the Omaha area, Hillary brings not only the skills needed to make this project a premiere national landmark for human rights education and art engagement, but also an understanding of how our communities can most benefit from this important resource.”

An Omaha native, Nather-Detisch earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from San Francisco State University before earning a Master of Public Administration from UNO. In addition to her role as director of development at Joslyn Art Museum, she has held previous planning, project development, grant making and fundraising roles at Boys Town National Research Hospital, Inclusive Communities, Omaha Children’s Museum, the Omaha Community Foundation, and United Way of the Midlands.

“I am honored to have been selected for this inaugural position which brings together my personal passion of social justice work, art and my professional skill set together perfectly,” Nather-Detisch said “This project is a unique opportunity to serve as a hub for intercultural dialogue and education for the region, where art becomes the tool to begin a safe discussion for all visitors. My personal goal is to create a welcoming, accessible facility that will inspire meaningful and thoughtful discussion between students, faculty, staff, the greater Omaha community and beyond.”

More details about a formal opening and the first series of free community programming offerings will be shared with the campus and community in the coming months.

Questions about Samuel Bak Museum: The Learning Center can be directed to hnatherdetisch@unomaha.edu or 402.554.3191.