By Anika Keese ’27
The Samuel Bak Museum: The Learning Center offers a unique experience to every person who visits.
Samuel Bak is a 92-year-old Holocaust survivor known worldwide for his surrealist paintings centered around human rights. His works first appeared on UNO’s campus in 2019 during the “WITNESS: The Art of Samuel Bak” exhibition.
Following that visit, a 500 plus-piece collection of Bak’s work was donated to UNO, ultimately leading to the development and opening of the museum and learning center in a temporary location in Aksarben Village in his name in 2023.
From middle schoolers to college students and the greater community, the museum allows everyone who visits to have meaningful conversations about art, Holocaust education, human rights and genocide.
That impact can be felt through a range of offerings found at the Bak Museum. Since opening in 2023, 76% of visitors have participated in an education program or event. It’s a testament to the impact of the museum.
Hillary Nather-Detisch, executive director of the museum, is committed to creating a space where art and human rights intertwine.
Last fall, the museum welcomed contemporary artists in addition to Mr. Bak’s works to include different narratives in each exhibition. On January 21, 2026 the Museum opened Justice and Hope, an exhibition that explores how artists Samuel Bak, Dinh Q. Lê, Mladen Miljanović, Serge Nitegeka, and Maja Ruznic use intertwining personal narrative and historical facts to commemorate conflicts and denounce humanity’s inability to forgo violence.
“UNO provides 50 to 60% of the museum’s annual operating budget, and the remaining 40 to 50% is funded by private philanthropy,” Nather-Detisch said.
The ability to stay free and accessible for all visitors while presenting top-notch exhibitions and education engagement opportunities is a priority to staff at the museum.
To ensure that the meaningful work of Samuel Bak can continue to live on, please consider donating to the Samuel Bak Museum: The Learning Center Excellence Fund.
Samuel Bak Museum: The Learning Center Excellence Fund
The Samuel Bak Museum: The Learning Center bring people together to have meaningful conversations surrounding human rights and Holocaust education through art. Your gift allows the museum to continue its growth, allowing these important conversations to continue.
“A donor gift will help us to offer our free exhibition and related programming — that includes evening lectures, musical concerts, free art-making weekend sessions and family-friendly activities. Donor gifts also support all of our K-12 student field trips and the museum’s free audio tour offered in three languages.”
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