Ground Rules: Public Art & Transit-Oriented Development

Amplify Arts

Join Amplify's next panel discussion on August 14th at Millwork Commons!

The Ashton

How do public art and public transportation work together to shape healthier, more connected communities? Join us at the Ashton on Friday, August 14, from 12:00 pm –1:00 pm for a conversation exploring the intersection of contemporary art, urban design, and mobility with Kene Okigbo, partner at RDG Planning &amp; Design, PGSA Vice President Stephen Osberg, and Amplify’s Amy Cherko.Together, panelists will discuss how public art transforms our streets, sidewalks, and trails into conduits for encounter and belonging. They’ll consider its potential to interrupt familiar patterns of movement, invite moments of curiosity, and foster a stronger sense of place. Connecting the dots between cultural experiences and civic infrastructure, the conversation will open new perspectives on how thoughtful investments in both culture and mobility enhance individual well-being, strengthen community life, and contribute to our city’s long-term economic vitality. Free and open to all. Please RSVP if you’d like to attend to help us plan.The Ashton is wheelchair accessible and located in Millwork Commons, a walkable and bikeable district off either the number 13 or number 4 Metro Transit Omaha bus line. If you have any accessibility needs, please reach out to us at least 48 hours before this event at info@amplfiyarts.org.Free parking is located north of HELLO Apartments and in the lot west of the Mastercraft building. Metered Parking is available on Millwork Ave, 13th St, 12th St, and Nicholas Street. Be sure to download the City of Omaha’s Park Omaha app or pay at the purple kiosks. <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/7NJqA5EPtAdCHRJ28" title="https://maps.app.goo.gl/7NJqA5EPtAdCHRJ28" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Click here for directions.</a> Amplify’s programming is possible in part with support from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, the Nebraska Arts Council, and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment. About the Panelists:Kene Okigbo, PLA, ASLA, is a partner at RDG Planning &amp; Design whose work spans the markets of urban design, parks and recreation, healthcare, higher education, and sports.He is passionate about shaping places that enhance quality of life and consistently seeks opportunities to demonstrate the positive impact of design on communities. His goal in every project is to communicate the needs of a community through a compelling design.In addition to his design practice, Kene is deeply engaged in community and professional organizations. His work has been recognized through a number of awards, and he is a frequent speaker at universities and national conferences, where he shares insights on design, leadership, and the evolving role of the profession.He is increasingly interested in how landscape architecture contributes to relief, resilience, and recovery, especially in communities experiencing change or reinvention. Stephen Osberg is Vice President at PGSA, where he guides the firm’s urban strategies, communication efforts, and public-facing partnerships. With a background in planning, policy, and infrastructure, he brings a thoughtful, systems-level perspective to complex urban redevelopment opportunities.Before joining PGSA, Osberg served as Senior Director of Transportation &amp; Urban Development at the Greater Omaha Chamber, where he oversaw development of Omaha’s Urban Core Strategic Plan, managed financial analysis underlying the Omaha Streetcar, and helped secure federal infrastructure funding for the region. Earlier roles additionally include the City of Omaha and regional planning firms, where he shaped land use policies, led multimodal transportation initiatives, and managed stakeholder engagement across public and private sectors. Osberg’s planning expertise and public-sector insight help PGSA navigate the intersection of policy, place, and investment—advancing projects strategically to deliver both impact and value. About the Moderator:Amy Cherko oversees Public Art at Amplify Arts. She is a lifelong Omahan, proud and passionate about our arts and culture communities. She is a biologist, project manager, and compassionate communicator who believes joy should be centered in the everyday. Before joining Amplify, Amy worked in environmental consulting, supporting a wide range of natural resources projects, which shaped her appreciation of vast spaces, the kindness and care of community, and the importance of interdisciplinary connections.

Ground Rules: Public Art & Transit-Oriented Development

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Ground Rules: Public Art & Transit-Oriented Development

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