Common Senses Festival 2022 Overview

A man in costume, playing a banjo. Three people are in the background.
122
Families at "Up and Away"
A young girl inside an art piece. An adult knees behind her.
29
Orgs at Arts & Inclusion Symposium
138
voices heard
Black silhouette of a young boy in a room, covered in teal light.
5,000
attendees
A Black man in a suit and hat, laying with a young boy in his pajamas. It appears this is during a live performance of sorts.
A black and white photo of a modern brick building with large windows and a covered entrance. On the building is a sign with a logo and the words "Common Senses Omaha." Above the photo, on a purple background, are stylized eye and ear icons alongside the logo and the words "Common Senses." In the top right corner, it says "Omaha | 2022."
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Black silhouette of someone in front of a large disco ball. The background is rainbow colors.
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Past 2022 Events

A whimsical indoor scene with purple lighting, featuring a ringmaster-like performer standing in the center of a ring, surrounded by an audience. Above, there are large hanging decorations: a glowing sun, a starry moon, fluffy clouds, and a giant balloon-like globe with twinkling star lights. The setting feels magical and theatrical, evoking a sense of wonder and imagination, with children and adults watching the central figure's performance.
Performing Arts
March 12, 2025
The Rose Theater
Up and Away
The Fogg Family invited audiences on a multi-sensory journey through the sky in their very own hot-air balloon.
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An abstract, dome-like outdoor installation glowing with vibrant blue lights at night. The structure is made of mesh material and has an organic, curved shape resembling wings or petals, with sections illuminated and patterned by circular spots of light. Some people are visible inside or near the installation, which sits in an urban environment with tall buildings in the background. The effect is both futuristic and artistic, creating a striking presence in the city setting.
Science & Technology
March 25, 2022
Millwork Commons
Orchid
Social Sensory Architecture explored the design of multi-sensory environments that engage children's creativity…
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Yellow circle with text. The image contains a large yellow circle against a dark blue and white background. Inside the circle, in large bold letters, it says: "WORLD AUTISM DAY." Above this, in a smaller handwritten-style font, it says: "join us for."
Performing Arts
April 2, 2022
Kaneko
World Autism Day
We invited the autism community for an exclusive SNEAK PEEK of the Common Senses Festival installations...
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Silhouette of a person in front of a swirling blue and white cosmic pattern that looks like a galaxy. The bright center radiates outward with intricate lines and shapes, resembling clouds or nebulae in space. The background is dark, making the illuminated patterns stand out vividly. The scene has a sense of awe and wonder, capturing the vastness and beauty of the cosmos.
Science & Technology
April 3, 2022
Kaneko
The Living Room
This proof-of-concept project aimed to determine if affective and physiological regulation in individuals with autism can be promoted through dynamic adjustments in the ambient environment.
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A child and an adult sitting in white chairs facing each other, connected by a glowing heart rate line running between them. The child is surrounded by a purple-colored light while the adult is surrounded by a red-orange light. A heart rate line connects the two.
Science & Technology
April 3, 2022
Kaneko
Cardio Chairs
Cardio Chairs was designed to enable and facilitate the visualization and exploration of interpersonal dynamics by making the invisible visible.
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Black silhouettes of two adults and two children outside in front of a river, lots of trees.
Performing Arts
April 3, 2022
Kaneko
A Worm’s Eye View
A Worm’s Eye View celebrated this perspective revealing the miraculous in the mundane.
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Event flyer with a dark purple background and geometric shapes. The main, large text says: "Don't Just Dim the Lights:". Below, it reads, "How to Create Inclusive Environments in the Arts for All to Enjoy." There is a logo of an eye and text that says "Common Senses." Keynote: Dr. Roger Ideishi; Speakers: Lisa Porter, Dr. Matthew Lerner; Omaha Community Playhouse, Howard Drew Theater; April 8, 2022, 7:30 - 11:30 AM. Sponsored by: Weitz Family Foundation
Common Conversations
April 8, 2022
Omaha Community Playhouse
Don't Just Dim the Lights.
How to Create Inclusive Environments in the Arts for All to Enjoy (A Symposium)
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Three violinists side by side, playing their instruments.
Performing Arts
April 16, 2022
Holland Performing Arts | Scott Recital Hall
Omaha Symphony Small Ensemble Concert for Adults with Autism
A relaxed concert where Symphony musicians share some of their favorite works composed for string quartet.
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A Black man wearing a tan suit sits, notebook in hand. He is a speaker on stage, looking to be sitting patiently while waiting to speak.
Common Conversations
April 23, 2025
Creighton University | Harper Center
Timbre Talks: Lifting the Unique Voices of the Autism Community
Timbre Talks is a series of community discussions & feedback sessions that addresses problems identified by the autism community.
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A minimalist book cover design. The background is a yellowish-brown color resembling aged paper, with the silhouettes of bookshelves and books. In the center is a red apple, and above it, large white text reads: "THE GIVER." The font is bold, serif, and all uppercase except for "THE," which is in smaller letters beside the word "GIVER."
Performing Arts
April 29, 2022
Omaha Community Playhouse
The Giver (Sensory-Friendly)
A sensory-friendly performance of The Giver at the Omaha Community Playhouse.
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A small child and an adult are ballerinas dancing together, arms in the air while standing on their tip toes and feet.
Performing Arts
April 30, 2025
Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center
Opera, Ballet + Beyond: A Performing Arts Workshop
The opera and ballet through a workshop class offered for children on the spectrum.
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A white woman with her hair pulled back, wearing glasses, is speaking into a microphone. One Black woman is sitting behind her, head back in laughter. Another Black woman stands beside her, smiling.
Performing Arts
April 30, 2022
Scottish Rite Masonic Hall Auditorium
Plant, Nourish & Shine - The Musical
The Gotta Be Me Heartlight Choir, lead by Blake, Britta and Courtney CC on choreography.
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A group of musicians play their instruments during a Symphony.
Performing Arts
May 1, 2022
Holland Center
Omaha Symphony Concert for Children with Autism (and their Families)
What happens when a giant choice board appeared in front of the orchestra? Why, we took turns exploring the options of course!
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