By: Las Vegas Now Staff
As Las Vegas grows, the people who are shaping the valley's future say without the arts, we will not be able to compete with other tourist destinations.
Las Vegas has a downtown arts district. Most people in the valley couldn't find it. Ask someone where to go to see contemporary art, they will most likely say they do not know. More people may be able to tell you that the classics can be found in the Bellagio and Venetian.
Community leaders say Las Vegas must find its art soul to make the next evolution. Tucked in the back of a public library on Sahara sits the Las Vegas Art Museum. In 1974, it became the first fine art museum in the state.
Libby Lumpkin, Las Vegas Art Museum's director said, “We occupy the West Sahara Library. We share the building with them. We have the smaller west end of the building.”
It's a hidden treasure. That's the problem according to MGM-Mirage president and COO Jim Murren.
“It is unconscionable today that we find it acceptable that the Las Vegas Art Museum is an addition to a public library. That is offensive,” said Murren.
Murren is shaping the future of Las Vegas by spearheading the CityCenter Project. He donates to the arts and says we are denying our children the chance to educate themselves.
“It is not acceptable that we have a sub-standard amount of cultural options here in general. That is why the performing arts center is such a critical effort that I love personally and corporately we enjoy,” he said.
The $470 million in private donations will build the Smith Center for Performing Arts downtown. It will open in 2011. The Las Vegas Art Museum has plans in 2009 to move to a new building on Sunset.
Lumpkin points to New York City as an example of how the arts anchor an area. She says the primary tourist draw in New York City is the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
“With the Museum of Modern Art right behind it. Before Broadway, before any other attractions,” she said. Lumpkin adds for Las Vegas to take the next step in maturity as a city, the arts need to leap forward.
“The end of '09 you are going to see the beginning, the real beginning of a transformation of this town so that we will also be a cultural destinations well as a leisure destination,” said Lumpkin.
Both Libby Lumpkin and Jim Murren say a cultural core will diversify the attractions in Las Vegas. That in turn will bring more people.
Both new buildings will be in more central locations for the entire valley. The Performing Arts Center will be near the World Market Center downtown.
The new art museum will be near the airport on Sunset, making it a quick cab trip for tourists and just off the 215 for residents. Right now it's an $80 cab ride round trip for visitors on the Las Vegas Strip.
Email your comments to Reporter Edward Lawrence.
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