Mary Kingslan Gibilisco

Mary Kingslan Gibilisco has served as Executive Director of WhyArts since 2022, bringing more than two decades of experience in nonprofit leadership, arts education, and community engagement. Prior to this role, she led Arts in Motion, an inclusive arts organization that merged with WhyArts in 2021, creating a stronger foundation for expanding accessible programming across Omaha.

Mary's philosophy: My philosophy centers on equity, access, and connection through the arts. I believe that creative expression is not a privilege but a human right — one that should be available to individuals of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds, without financial barriers. In my view, nonprofit work is about removing obstacles, amplifying voices that are often unheard, and building sustainable systems that serve the community first.

Under Mary’s leadership, WhyArts has advanced its mission of ensuring that the arts are accessible to everyone, regardless of age, ability, or income. With the support of dedicated staff and professional teaching artists, WhyArts delivers over 3,000 arts-based workshops each year to community partners — never charging a fee to participants. Signature programs include Dancing Classrooms, which builds social-emotional learning and respect through ballroom dance; Kids on the Block, a puppet program that promotes empathy and disability awareness; the UNO Service Learning partnership, which engages university students in meaningful community-based arts experiences; and Saturday Academy, which offers youth hands-on creative opportunities outside of the school day.

Mary holds a Master of Science in Youth Development and Nonprofit Management from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art with minors in Art History and Spanish, and an Adult Training Certificate from UNL’s College of Continuing Studies. Both an accomplished visual artist and an experienced educator, she is recognized for using the arts as a tool for empowerment, connection, and lifelong learning.

Mary lives in Omaha with her husband of 43 years, John. They are proud parents of two grown children and doting grandparents to two grandsons.

Email Mary at director@whyartsinc.org