About our community
Mission
Supporting disabled artists in creative expression, representation and community partnerships.
Who We Are
Live Yes Studios (LYS) originally opened in 2011 as a program of the nonprofit organization Resources for Human Development (RHD) based in Philadelphia, PA. RHD decided to consolidate their programming and close their services in Nebraska in June of 2024. The fear of our community losing this creative space brought then LYS Assistant Director, Natasha Scholz, and then LYS Program Manager, Micah Snyder, to turn LYS into a Nebraska based nonprofit to keep our doors open. They combined their collective experience and passion for the arts and disability community and co-founded Live Yes Studios, Inc. in April 2024. However, without our employees, Board of Directors, families, friends, colleagues and the community at large, we would not have made it. But most importantly, the artists, relationships and communal environment we created at the studio were worth fighting for.
We support adults with developmental, intellectual and physical disabilities by providing a structured day program with a professional studio environment. Our instructors work together with our resident artists to offer opportunities for learning, artistic growth, collaboration and gallery exhibition. Check out our instructors and our talented artists!
Our Values
The mission of LYS directly communicates our three primary values of creation, representation and community partnerships. We continue to develop our values as the studio grows its new identity, but first and foremost, LYS is a program run by artists, for artists, for the benefit of all.
Creation We teach new skills and create adaptive equipment to make any art form accessible to all artists. LYS artists have the freedom to fulfill their creative vision and share their unique perspective with the greater Lincoln community.
Representation We exhibit the artists’ finished work in our gallery and community venues to provide access to alternative revenue streams through sales. In December 2021, we added a production studio for each artist to design and print their own mugs, shirts, coasters, bags, etc. and sell them in our gift shop and online store.
Community We welcome the community into our gallery to enjoy the works of LYS artists alongside local emerging artists. Exhibitions connect hundreds of community members to the artists as their viewers, patrons and clientele and offer opportunities for relationships, collaborations and exposure to all types of people.
What We Do
Each day we offer two different classes taught by our instructors and volunteer community members. Some class examples are drawing, painting, ceramics, textiles, printmaking, fiber arts and film production. We offer private lessons in bass, drums, guitar, piano, song writing, vocals, and music software programs (Logic and GarageBand).
We also invest in self-directed projects for personal artistic development and take weekly community trips to local galleries, museums, and parks. We provide resident artists with essential supplies for creating their work such as paint, canvases, paper, pencils, ink, wood, clay, music equipment, and much more. Visiting community artists also lead various lectures and workshops that are open and free to the public. Check out our Programs!
When We Create
Resident artists may attend 8:30AM-3:30PM, Monday through Friday. We love visits from our community. Due to our daily activities and classes, please contact our Studio Floor Manager, Hannah Ashburn, at 402-904-4216 to set up a tour!
We curate visual and performing art shows each First Friday of the month. In our First Friday art exhibits we showcase resident artists’ work as well as emerging artists from the Lincoln community. Check Out our Galleries and Upcoming events!
Where We Create
Our facilities include various studio spaces for learning: individual space, sculpture, ceramics, music production, printmaking, digital lab, textiles, kitchen, movie room, communal work space and gallery for presenting and critiquing work. All of what is created in our studio is sold in our gallery or at our gift shop, Gift Yes.
LYS is located at 1135 M Street in Lincoln, NE.
