What is artVenture?
artVenture is a unique program and fundraising partnership
benefitting Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska. It is the only program
of its kind across Girl Scout councils in the country and
celebrating its 19th consecutive year.
The program matches small groups of Girl Scouts with professional
artists across Nebraska. Girls and artists collaborate to create
original works of art to be sold during a silent auction event held
each spring. As an extension of the fundraising portion of the
program, artists also donate original pieces from their collections,
with the proceeds benefitting Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska programming.
Through this project, girls learn a new art medium or technique,
work closely with an artist (often in their studio), and get to know
other girls interested in the same art form. Most girls also make a
small piece of art to take home as a keepsake. Participating girls and
their families are invited to a Girl Reception, where they can see the
collaboration artwork on display and celebrate their contribution.
For Parents/Caregivers
How can my Girl Scout participate?
This year, girls have two options to choose from...
Council-Arranged Collaborations
Sign up for a traditional council-arranged collaboration, including
options for in-person and virtual experiences. Those registered will
receive a list of collaboration options to choose from in early
January. Register early, limited space will be available.
Cost: $10* per girl, includes arranged collaboration, patch, and
invitation to special Girl Reception.
*Collaborating artists also may charge each girl up to $25 for
materials. Material fee details will be included in collaboration
options listings.
- Registration Closes: Sunday, January 8, 2023
- Collaborations Take Place: Throughout February and March,
2023
Create-Your-Own Collaboration Team
Form a team of at least four Girl Scouts, an adult project leader
(team contact), and an adult artist volunteer. You’ll design your own
project, setting meeting dates and times that work best for you (teams
must adhere to the artVenture 2023 artwork requirements and timelines).
Cost: $5* per girl, includes patch, and invitation to special Girl Reception.
*Collaborating artists also may charge each girl up to $25 for
materials; this will vary by project and is to be worked out between
the artist and the collaboration team.
- Project Proposals Due: Sunday, January 8, 2023
- Collaborations Take Place: Throughout February and March,
2023
- Artwork Details Form and Girl Registration Due: Friday,
March 31, 2023
How do I sign up my troop for the Create-Your-Own Collaboration?
You must submit a project proposal by Sunday, January 8,
2023. Program Specialist, Hailey Thiem, will review your proposal and
give you the go ahead as soon as all details are finalized. You do not
need to know who exactly will be participating in the collaboration at
the time you turn in the proposal. You have until March 31, 2023, to
register all participating girls and pay the $5 registration. A
registration link will be sent to teams whose project proposals have
been approved.
We finished our Create-Your-Own Collaboration, now what?
Once your Create-Your-Own Collaboration is done, you need to submit the Artwork Details Form.
You also need to register all participating girls and pay the $5
registration per girl by March 31, 2023. Participating Create-Your-Own
Collaboration teams will receive a link to register after their
project proposals are approved.
How will we get our Create-Your-Own Collaboration artwork to you
for the auction?
The adult volunteer project leader and collaborating artist
volunteer should coordinate with each other to determine who will drop
off the Create-Your-Own Collaboration artwork for the auction. (See
below “When can I drop off my donated or collaboration
artwork?” in the Artists section.)
I signed my Girl Scout up for a council arranged artVenture 2023
collaboration, what happens next?
artVenture council-arranged collaborations look a little different
across the state but no matter where you are you will be contacted by
your program specialist after January 8, 2023, with collaboration
options for your area. After looking through the options with your
Girl Scout (details such as dates, times, location, and artist fees
will all be included), you will submit her collaboration preferences.
Next, you will receive an email confirming which collaboration she is
in. Collaborations will occur through February and March, but that may
vary slightly by area.
I’m registering my Girl Scout for artVenture. What is the
additional artist material fee for?
The $5 (Create-Your-Own) or $10 (Council Arranged) registration fee
is paid to Spirit of Nebraska council and covers a special artVenture
2023 patch for each girl as well as the expenses for the in-person and
virtual artVenture Girl Reception that each girl and her family are
invited to attend after all collaborations are completed.
Each collaborating artist donates their time, but they are allowed
to charge up to $25 per girl for costs associated with materials for
both the collaborative artwork and the individual take-home piece each
girl keeps, and for preparing the artwork for display. Some charge
nothing, others charge the full $25—it really depends upon the art
project and the materials used. The material fees are paid directly to
the artist at the time of the collaboration.
What happens during a collaboration?
Creativity and fun! The artists will have a general project idea in
mind before they meet with the group, but the girls will also
contribute their ideas, making it a collaborative effort. We ask the
artists to talk a little about their own artist path-why and how they
became an artist and what it means to be an artist. They will share
their expertise in a particular medium or art form and will work
together with the girls to create one collaborative piece that will go
to the artVenture auction event. Each girl will also make a smaller
piece to take home as a keepsake of her experience.
Where do collaborations take place?
This varies a great deal but most take place in the artist’s studio.
This gives the girls a first-hand look at how artists work, their
tools of the trade, etc. Not all artists have their own studios,
however, or sometimes there is not enough space in them to accommodate
a collaboration, so some take place at another site such as a
“borrowed” studio, a classroom, or other meeting space.
Do I stay with my daughter during the collaboration? How is
supervision handled?
Many art studios are small spaces, and we want to keep the focus on
the girls, so the number of adults present during a collaboration is
limited. We require at least one adult who is a current Girl Scout
member and who has successfully completed a background screening to be
present as an adult helper, a supervisory role in addition to the
artist. Parents/caregivers can volunteer to be a helper at the time
they submit their Girl Scout’s collaboration preferences.
What is the Girl Reception?
Each participating Girl Scout and her family will be invited to the
Girl Reception to see the collaborative artwork on display and
celebrate their contribution. At the reception, girls will receive
their patch, view all the artwork, pose for photos with their fellow
artists and their creations, enjoy some refreshments, and drop off a
hand-made thank you card for their artists.
The in-person reception for participating girls and their families
will take place on April 22, 2023, from 1–2:30 p.m. (CT,) and will be
held at UNO Mammel Hall, 6708 Pine St., Omaha.
Since the in-person event will only be in Omaha this year, we are
also offering a virtual Girl Reception. Stay tuned for more
information about the virtual event.
I know someone who I think would make a great artVenture
collaborating artist. How do I get them involved?
We are always in need of more artists so we welcome suggestions! If
you know someone that you think would be a great fit for artVenture,
direct them to the Artist Interest Form and then we’ll contact them
to provide additional information.
What is the artVenture Patch Contest?
This year, we invite all registered Girl Scouts to submit design ideas for the year’s artVenture
patch. The girl whose design is selected will meet with our
graphic designer to collaborate on preparing their patch design for
production. The deadline to submit is January 8, 2023.
For Artists
I’m a new collaborating artist. How can I find out more about artVenture?
Welcome to artVenture! We want to make sure that your experience is
as wonderful and enriching as the girl’s will be. Many artists comment
on how inspired they are after working with a group of girls during an
artVenture collaboration. To help you be successful, we have a program
staff member in each area who will go through your collaboration
details with you ahead of time and answer your questions. Throughout
the process, our staff will help you with every step!
I’d like to donate my artwork. Can I do that?
We invite artists to submit up to two pieces of their own work into
the auction. As a donating artist, your artwork will be featured
during our silent auction. Proceeds from the sale are donated to our
council to assist with programming throughout the year—artists decide
whether they want to donate 50% or 100% of the proceeds.
You can fill out the Artist
Interest Form if you would like to donate an original piece to
the auction.
NOTE: 100% of final sale for all collaboration artworks goes to the council.
When can I drop off my donated or collaboration artwork?
Outside the Omaha area, the deadline to drop off your artwork at
nearest Spirit of Nebraska Service Center or staff member is Monday,
April 3, 2023.*
For the Omaha-area, you can drop-off artwork on Thursday, April 20,
2023, at UNO Mammel Hall* (6708 Pine St., 9 a.m.–5 p.m.)
*Unless other arrangements are made in advance.
If my artwork doesn’t sell during the auction, what happens?
When submitting your artwork details, you will be given the option
to have your artwork entered into the post event auction held
exclusively online the week after the event. Pieces will be offered
for sale at 50% of the original value.
If the collaboration artwork doesn’t sell during the auction, what happens?
Collaboration artwork is the property of Girl Scouts Spirit of
Nebraska and any unsold collaboration pieces will be retained by the
Council for future use.
Auction Event
How can I bid on the artwork?
We use an online auction system that is easy to access! The
in-person auction event takes place in Omaha, however, this will allow
you to bid on artwork no matter where you live! Prior to the event, a
link to preview the auction catalogue will be made available via our
Facebook page.
If you have registered to attend the event in-person, you’ll be
checked in as a bidder and your unique link will be texted to you.
If you are attending virtually, you can sign up to be a “Remote
Bidder” via our registration link. Once the auction is open, you will
be sent a unique link via text message.
How do I buy tickets to the artVenture auction?
The link to register will be posted on our Facebook page, website, and sent out via email.
There are no physical tickets issued for artVenture, and registration
is all online.
How much does it cost to attend to the artVenture auction?
- Preview Party (includes a Main Event Ticket): $150/person
- Main Event: $75/person
Where will the auction take place?
The artVenture silent auction takes place on Saturday, April 22,
2023 at UNO Mammel Hall (free parking)
What time are the auction events?
- 5–6 p.m.– Preview Party
- 6–9 p.m. – Main Event
Can I bring my children to the artVenture auction event?
The artVenture auction events are for adults only, ages 21 and over.
Youth are not allowed at the auction other than a few, chaperoned
older Girl Scouts who may attend briefly as part of a presentation or activity.
What do I wear to an artVenture auction event?
The suggested attire is cocktail casual, though some enjoy the
opportunity to dress up a bit more.
What happens at the artVenture auction?
artVenture is a strolling cocktail reception featuring delicious
food and adult beverages. View more than 150 original works of art
and, place your bids in support of Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska.
I have the winning bid, how do I claim my artwork?
If you attend the event in person, we ask that you pay and take your
artwork home with you at the end of the event.
If you are unable to take your items with you that night, or if you
win items as a Remote Bidder, you may pick up your items at the Girl
Scout Omaha Service Center (2121 S. 44th Street, Omaha) the week after
the event (starting on Tuesday).
What does artVenture support?
Proceeds from this event support our statewide programs and
financial assistance fund, giving more girls more opportunities to
participate in fun leadership opportunities, just like artVenture.
