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What We Do

The mission of the Nebraska Juvenile Justice Association is to improve services to youth in the juvenile justice system by serving as a resource for collaboration, leadership development, and education for juvenile justice system professionals.

  • Conference Attendee
    Conference Attendee

    "Having opportunities to hear from people with lived experience within the juv. justice system. Also the awards luncheon-- seeing the young people and leaders work and what
    they have accomplished."

  • Conference Attendee
    Conference Attendee

    "All keynote speakers were fantastic. I also enjoy networking and meeting new people."

  • Conference Attendee
    Conference Attendee

    "Getting to interact with people across the state in person rather than by Zoom"

  • Conference Attendee
    Conference Attendee

    "All 3 keynote speakers were wonderful and was able to grow my knowledge. The breakout sessions were full of knowledge."

  • Conference Attendee
    Conference Attendee

    "The keynote speakers were impactful and I felt I could take their insight with me to better serve in my field."

  • Conference Attendee
    Conference Attendee

    "The keynote speakers and their real life experiences that translated into resiliency, lessons and success on how to serve others who have similar life experiences."

  • Conference Attendee
    Conference Attendee

    "I do feel like the keynote speakers in the morning were really great and gave great advice on how to work with victims and juveniles and their stories were really inspirational."

Conference Results

  • 2024 Conference Participation

    381

  • Would Attend Again

    96.83%

  • Rated the Conference Very Good or Excellent

    72.73%

  • Fulfilled My Reason To Attend

    92.42%

  • Attended the conference for personal growth and development

    42.42%

The Importance of Art Galleries and Why You Should Visit

With summer quickly approaching, the question always seems to arise: What are you going to do with your spare time? From swimming pools and barbecues, to parades and fireworks, there’s lots of stuff to fill up the time during summer.

But what if you could enjoy summer while supporting local community members at the same time? Well, you can! Art galleries are a beneficial component of any neighborhood. Check out some of these ways art galleries are important and why you should visit them this summer.

 

They’re inexpensive (or even free)

They say the best things in life are free… or at least very cheap. Most community art galleries have inexpensive, or even free, admission. If you’re trying to have an engaging summer at a low budget, art galleries and other local museums are a great way to save money while having fun. 

 

You can learn new things

Let’s face it: there are a lot of better things to do this summer than rewatch your favorite show for the fifth time. Visiting an art gallery can help expand your mind and absorb new information. Whether you’re still in school or have been out for years, it’s never too late to try to learn something new. When you visit an art gallery, you’re engaging in education outside of a classroom setting, which lets you learn about topics that interest you at the perfect pace.

 

Art can make you happy

Studies have shown that looking at art releases dopamine in the brain, a feel-good chemical associated with feelings like falling in love. At the same time, it decreases our cortisol levels, the stress hormone. This means that visiting an art gallery can literally help you to relax, feel at peace and feel content or even giddy. So when you’re ready to kick back and relax this summer, you don’t always have to go to the pool; the art gallery can be just as enjoyable.

 

You’ll feel more creative

There’s just something about seeing others’ creative outlets that allows us to release our inhibitions and express our own creativity even more fully. Whether you’re a musician, writer, photographer or an artist yourself, soaking in creative inspiration from an art gallery can give you just the right amount of vision to explore your own creativity. If you don’t particularly think of yourself as a creative person, just the experience of being in a creative environment can encourage you to try new things and strengthen your imagination.

 

You support small businesses

Visiting local art galleries and museums is a great way to support the small businesses in your community. Many galleries are entirely donation-based, and your donation can go a long way in strengthening their impact. Not only can you support them financially, but your encouragement and promotion with friends and family shares the love of art galleries with others in your life.

 

They build community

Finally, art teaches us that we are a part of something larger than ourselves. Art galleries often host events for the community that bring us together and help us get to know our neighbors. A mutual love for art and art galleries builds us up and strengthens the community relationally, emotionally and fiscally.

Art galleries are a vital part of the neighborhood, and this summer you can help support them by visiting and encouraging others to go as well. Afterwards, support other small businesses by enjoying your favorite local restaurant, cafe, bookstore or shop. So go ahead, get out there and soak up the beauty of the artistic world around you.

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