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Record of Proceedings

Las Vegas Arts Commission Meeting - August 28, 2025

Public Meetings — Thursday, August 28, 2025
BodyLas Vegas, Nevada
SessionPublic Meetings
DateThursday, August 28, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 49:15

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
1:18

Good afternoon, everyone.

1:20

This is Sapira Chirk, and I would like to call the Arts Commission meeting to order at four PM, Thursday, August 28th.

1:30

Clerk, could I get a roll call?

1:33

Chair Chirk present.

1:35

Vice Chair Bednarch.

1:39

Present.

1:40

Second Vice Chair Roberts.

1:42

In an okay, thank you.

1:45

Present.

1:46

Commissioner Clevin.

1:49

Here.

1:50

Commissioner Westfield.

1:53

Excused.

1:54

Commissioner Douglas.

1:56

Excused.

1:57

Commissioner DeSantis.

2:02

Commissioner Chi.

2:03

Here.

2:04

Commissioner Beals.

2:06

Excused.

2:07

Commissioner Portnoy.

2:09

Here.

2:10

Commissioner Von Bastians.

2:12

Present.

2:12

Thank you, Chair.

2:13

You have a quorum.

2:15

Moving on to agenda item number two.

2:19

Are we compliance with the open meeting law?

2:22

Yes, Chair, we are.

2:23

Thank you.

2:23

Moving on to item number three, public comment.

2:26

Comment during this portion of the agenda must be limited to matters on the agenda for action.

2:31

If you wish to be heard, come forward and give your name for the record.

2:34

The amount of discussion as well as the amount of time any single speaker is allowed, may be limited.

2:40

Are there any public comments?

2:50

Okay.

2:51

All right, my name is Ryan Ariola, R Y A N A R R I O L A.

3:03

And then my time is it a minute.

3:07

The time you may speak may be limited.

3:10

Okay.

3:11

Um, I won't take up your time.

3:13

Good evening.

3:14

Um I just think that there's a better way to fund art, especially as an artist.

3:23

If you really care about what you're doing, you'll do it for free, especially in times like this where money is very um fragile on how we spend it because there's a lot of other great places where it could be used.

3:39

And I'll leave my comment at that.

3:44

Thank you.

3:44

You're welcome.

3:46

Are there other public comments?

3:52

If there are none, we're going to move on to agenda number four for possible action to approve the final minutes by reference of the regular meeting of May 15th, 2025.

4:04

This is Commissioner Chi.

4:05

A motion to approve.

4:20

Aye.

4:22

Any opposed.

4:27

Thank you.

4:28

Moving on to agenda item number five.

4:31

Abeyance item presented presentation by Sally Dobler of the Mayor's Fund for Las Vegas Life regarding mayor's fund initiatives for all wards.

4:44

Good morning, Commission.

4:46

And thank you for uh allowing me to be here.

4:48

Sally Dobler for the record, CEO for the Mayor's Fund for Las Vegas Life.

4:52

Uh, I am honored to be able to appear so nice to see some some old friends and uh also make some new acquaintances.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Arts And Culture█████████████████████████████████████████████74%
Procedural█████9%
Budget Equity Analysis█████8%
Fundraising Strategy████6%
Public Engagement██3%
Summary of Proceedings

Las Vegas Arts Commission Meeting - August 28, 2025

The Las Vegas Arts Commission met on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at 4 PM. The meeting included a presentation from the Mayor's Fund for Las Vegas Life, approval of prior minutes, financial updates, and approval of multiple public art projects for Fiscal Year 2026.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes (May 15, 2025): Motion by Commissioner Chi, seconded, and unanimously approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Ryan Ariola (artist): Expressed opposition to city funding for art, stating there is a better way to fund art and that artists should do it for free, especially during tight economic times.

Discussion Items

  • Presentation by Sally Dobler (CEO, Mayor's Fund for Las Vegas Life): Overviewed the fund's private-public partnership model, independent 501(c)(3) status as of 2023, and focus areas including public art. Highlighted past projects (e.g., historic Westside murals, Goodman statues) and upcoming initiatives (e.g., memorial park statues at Lone Mountain, first art exhibit at Civic Center Art Gallery). Discussed fundraising challenges and strategies, including targeting new donors and professional athletes.
  • Relocation of Funding (Item 6): Staff proposed moving $100,000 from the Wellness Way Gateway project back to the percent for arts fund because the project was canceled. Motion by Commissioner Roberts, seconded by Commissioner Chi, unanimously approved.
  • Increased Funding for Rancho Gateway Project (Item 7): Staff requested an increase for "The Healer" by Luis Virella Rico due to tariff increases and location changes. Motion by Commissioner Roberts, seconded by Commissioner Douglas, unanimously approved.
  • Striking Item 8: Staff moved to strike the Hualipai Canyon Trailhead Environmental Art Project from the agenda. Motion by Commissioner Clevin, seconded by Commissioner DeSantis, unanimously approved.
  • Financial Report (Item 9): Commissioner Clevin reported FY26 allocation of $395,306.39 to the percent for arts fund. Original fund balance: $3,735,665.90. FY25 expenses: $992,683.87. Current fund balance: approximately $3.07 million, with $2,430,907.49 committed to existing projects, leaving $107,380.93 for new projects. Confirmed that unspent funds remain in the restricted fund.
  • Current Projects Report (Item 10): Staff provided updates on numerous percent for the arts projects across wards, including:
    • Third Street East to Fremont Street project: Contract executed (artist David Ryan).
    • AMP Gateway and Arts District: 10 artists selected for RFP, due mid-October.
    • Boulder Plaza sculpture "The Seed": Engineering documents under review, completion estimated June 2026.
    • Centennial Hills Park mural: RFQ closes September 25.
    • Civic Center interior artwork: Most installed, final piece expected by end of September.
    • Conservation: Restoration of paintbrush gateway by Dennis Oppenheim ongoing.
    • Other projects: Star Child installation September 18, Mirabelli Community Center mural ("Finding Your Wings"), Westside Education and Training Center sculpture completed.
  • New Projects for FY26 (Item 11): Staff proposed 10 new projects totaling approximately $450,000, funded by the FY26 allocation. Projects included:
    • StuPac Community Center Mural: $77,500
    • Arts District Parking Garage Mural: $60,000
    • Additional mural (unnamed): $15,500
    • Large-scale pool mural: $70,000
    • Park mural: $15,500
    • Original artwork acquisition for city buildings: $91,500
    • Public art tour map/design: $20,000
    • Conservation and maintenance: $80,000
    • Project contingency: $20,000 Questions from commissioners about funding sources and timelines. Commissioner Roberts expressed excitement about the projects. Commissioner Chi requested clarification on the public art map scope and suggested coordination with other entities. Commissioner Portnoy asked about EUD participation in the garage mural funding. Staff clarified that percent for arts funds are used solely for art, and EUD provides the building. Motion by Commissioner Clevin, seconded by Commissioner Douglas, unanimously approved.
  • Future Engagement: Commissioner Chi suggested a meeting with the Las Vegas Visitors and Convention Authority (LVCVA) to explore partnerships. Staff agreed to reach out and report back.

Key Outcomes

  • Motion to approve minutes: Unanimously passed.
  • Motion to relocate $100,000: Unanimously passed.
  • Motion to increase funding for "The Healer": Unanimously passed.
  • Motion to strike Item 8: Unanimously passed.
  • Motion to approve new FY26 projects: Unanimously passed.
  • Directive: Staff to contact LVCVA regarding potential collaboration.

The meeting adjourned at approximately [time not specified].

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon, everyone. This is Sapira Chirk, and I would like to call the Arts Commission meeting to order at four PM, Thursday, August 28th. Clerk, could I get a roll call? Chair Chirk present. Vice Chair Bednarch. Present. Second Vice Chair Roberts. In an okay, thank you. Present. Commissioner Clevin. Here. Commissioner Westfield. Excused. Commissioner Douglas. Excused. Commissioner DeSantis. Commissioner Chi. Here. Commissioner Beals. Excused. Commissioner Portnoy. Here. Commissioner Von Bastians. Present. Thank you, Chair. You have a quorum. Moving on to agenda item number two. Are we compliance with the open meeting law? Yes, Chair, we are. Thank you. Moving on to item number three, public comment. Comment during this portion of the agenda must be limited to matters on the agenda for action. If you wish to be heard, come forward and give your name for the record. The amount of discussion as well as the amount of time any single speaker is allowed, may be limited. Are there any public comments? Okay. All right, my name is Ryan Ariola, R Y A N A R R I O L A. And then my time is it a minute. The time you may speak may be limited. Okay. Um, I won't take up your time. Good evening. Um I just think that there's a better way to fund art, especially as an artist. If you really care about what you're doing, you'll do it for free, especially in times like this where money is very um fragile on how we spend it because there's a lot of other great places where it could be used. And I'll leave my comment at that. Thank you. You're welcome. Are there other public comments? If there are none, we're going to move on to agenda number four for possible action to approve the final minutes by reference of the regular meeting of May 15th, 2025. This is Commissioner Chi.

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