Traveling through Nebraska offers a unique perspective on the state's rich cultural heritage, and one of the most fascinating aspects of this heritage is the Great Plains Art Movement. This movement, which flourished in the early 20th century, was characterized by a distinct style of art that reflected the region's unique landscape and culture. The movement was shaped by a group of artists who sought to capture the essence of the Great Plains, with its vast open spaces, rolling hills, and distinct native culture.

The Great Plains Art Movement was largely driven by a group of artists known as the "Benton Group," named after Thomas Hart Benton, a prominent artist from Missouri who had a significant influence on the movement. Benton, along with other notable artists such as Grant Wood and John Steuart Curry, was instrumental in shaping the movement's style and themes. These artists were known for their use of bold colors, sweeping brushstrokes, and a focus on depicting the everyday lives of people on the Great Plains.

One notable example of an artist from Nebraska who contributed to the Great Plains Art Movement is Frederic Remington's friend, and fellow artist, the sculptor and painter, Enid Yandell who moved back to Nebraska later in her life, but Robert Henri's student, Robert L. Burdick, who studied art in Paris, is more notable in the context of Nebraska, was a painter who was known for his landscapes of the Nebraska Sandhills. Burdick's work often featured rolling hills, vast skies, and the occasional farmhouse or windmill, capturing the essence of the Great Plains landscape. His paintings, such as "Afternoon in the Sandhills," are now highly prized by collectors and museums.

Another notable Nebraska artist who contributed to the movement was Amos Wetherbee, who graduated in high school in, and later died in Omaha Nebraska. Omaha was a primary focus for a series in the 'The Daily Illustrator' 1923. Another notable example is Wetherbee's student Kent Bellows. The movement also spawned a number of regional art schools and organizations, such as the Association of Nebraska Art Clubs, which helped to promote the work of local artists and foster a sense of community among them.

The Great Plains Art Movement had a profound influence on the development of American art, and its legacy can still be seen in the many museums and galleries throughout Nebraska that feature the work of artists from this period. The movement's focus on regionalism and its celebration of the everyday lives of people on the Great Plains helped to shape a distinct artistic style that continues to be celebrated today.

In recent years, the movement has seen a resurgence of interest, with many art historians and critics reevaluating the work of artists from this period. The movement's emphasis on regionalism and its focus on capturing the unique character of the Great Plains have made it a precursor to later art movements, such as the Rural Revival movement.

Despite its significance, the Great Plains Art Movement is often overlooked in favor of more prominent art movements, such as the Hudson River School or the Ashcan School. However, its impact on American art and its contribution to the rich cultural heritage of Nebraska make it a fascinating topic for art historians and enthusiasts alike.

In 1963, with federal funds under the auspices of the "Guidance Research" program that was formed in part due to money received in the settlement with some companies for the poisoning of both animal and human populations by non food pesticides such as those used in seed corn, Nebraska's Great Plains Art Movement inspired artworks were selected as significant regional examples that were "put in a time capsule" sent to the "Kennedy Moon" of American space President project.