Art, music, and fashion are parts of culture that make up identities, bringing our communities together and making statements. We are proud to have Culxr House, an organization dedicated to the arts and community, providing a safe space for artists, musicians, and activists to create and engage. Founder Marcey Yates designed Culxr House to be an activation space for the community and by the community. “I see North Omaha a lot more active when it comes to civic engagement, using their own voices for advocacy and giving back to the community,” he says.
Culxr House started as a personal project where Marcey could be peacefully loud and create music. When the building was obtained in 2018, Marcey set out to create a space for other artists and community members to express themselves artistically, sparking new life in North Omaha. Marcey says, “I sprouted a lot in the city. Now we’re a voice for the community and artists to help them with their platform and give them opportunities.”
Through Culxr House, artists and community members come together and come out as stronger advocates on important issues for their communities, following the motto on their window “feed creativity, grow community.” The organization hosts informational workshops covering voter registration and functions of public offices at both city and state levels. In past years, Culxr House has hosted candidate forums, creating a space for prospective candidates to hear the needs of North Omaha residents.
Current goals of the organization include finding new ways to connect to and engage new and existing voters through Culxr House’s programming. Marcey identifies some challenges community members face that keep them from voting. “People genuinely struggle to care, because they can't pay attention to it, they're just trying to survive first.” Despite this challenge, Marcey aims to reframe the conversation on why civic engagement matters through cultural celebration, with goals to host a civic engagement block party, implementing calls to action, and incorporating civic information in their art events, such as Art Battle and future concerts. Marcy says, “that's why we just need that community part,” as a means to activate the community in culture and celebration.
This past October, Culxr House helped lead in voting rights restoration efforts by canvassing and phone banking to help formerly incarcerated Nebraskans register and regain their right to vote. These efforts still continue today in the lead up to upcoming local elections in Omaha, bringing power and a voice back to our neighbors. There is limitless potential for the community to come together to celebrate and get activated with recent events such as “The Worthy Experience” concert and “Culxr Talk: So Fresh, So Clean.” The events are more than shows, art exhibitions, or talks — it is a movement that we are all in together.
“It’s my job to continue to make sure that people come through here to take things home with them.” - Marcey Yates