OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Las Vegas Arts Commission Meeting - March 19, 2026

Public Meetings — Thursday, March 19, 2026
BodyLas Vegas, Nevada
SessionPublic Meetings
DateThursday, March 19, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:21:09

Transcript — Verbatim
2:03

Good afternoon, everyone.

2:05

I would like to call the March nineteenth meeting to order at four PM.

2:12

Uh Deputy City Clerk, are we in compliance?

2:20

Yes, Chair, we are.

2:22

Um, for item number one, we will need to do the roll call.

2:28

Chair Beals.

2:29

Here.

2:30

Vice Chair Bednarchik.

2:33

Here.

2:34

Second, Vice Chair Roberts.

2:36

Here.

2:37

Commissioner Clevin.

2:39

Here.

2:40

Commissioner Douglas.

2:42

Here.

2:42

Commissioner DeSantis.

2:44

Here.

2:45

Commissioner Chirk.

2:46

Here.

2:47

Commissioner Portnoy.

2:49

Here.

2:49

Commissioner Chi.

2:51

Excused.

2:52

Commissioner Von Bastians.

2:53

Here.

2:54

Commissioner Galatian.

2:55

Here.

2:56

Thank you, Chair.

2:56

You have a quorum.

2:58

Thank you so much, Yvette.

3:00

This meeting has been properly noticed and posted within the has this meeting been properly noted and posted within the open meeting law.

3:10

Yes, Chair has.

3:11

Thank you so much.

3:13

Now we'll move on to item number two, announcement regarding oh, item number three.

3:20

I'm sorry, you all.

3:21

Item number three, public comment.

3:24

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

3:30

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

3:33

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

3:41

Do we have anyone at this time?

3:45

I'm moving on to item number four for possible action to approve the final minutes by reference of the regular meeting of February nineteenth, two thousand twenty-six.

4:50

Motion passes.

5:00

Next, I would like to move to item number five report by Carmen Beals, Art Commission chair regarding a monthly summary of current initiatives, cultural events, and opportunities awards.

5:09

Join us this evening for the Nations of Erasure reception, March 19th, 5 to 7 p.m.

5:17

at City Hall Chamber Gallery.

5:19

Notions of Erasure is an exhibition of Nevada Arts Council Fellowship recipients on view through April 23rd.

5:27

Join us for a workshop led by Artist Lois Ledris, how to craft your first public art proposal Thursday, March 26th from 6 30 to 7 30 at Civic Center Public Meeting Room.

5:41

This educational workshop will break down the key elements of creating a strong public art proposal.

5:47

This event is free and open to the public.

5:50

For more information about these events, please visit WWW.artslas Vegas org or call 702 229 Arts 2787.

6:03

Do any commissioners have additional events or happenings they would like to mention?

6:10

This is Commissioner Trick.

6:11

I would like to invite all Nevada artists to attend two free workshop hosted by Nevada Arts Council, um, Artist Inc.

6:19

and supported by Emily Hall Tremain Foundation.

6:22

It is called What Works Essential.

6:24

Um, the two part uh uh webinars will happen on April 3rd and April 13th.

6:30

Um, and that will include um let me read the Suscription, excuse me.

6:35

What Work Essential is the first in a two-part workshop series for Nevada based artists and creatives.

6:40

Essential is based on sharing the common behaviors of successful artists, entrepreneurs.

6:44

Uh this training includes gold setting and planning portfolio careers and multiple income streams, communication, marketing and branding, strategic networking, financial planning, and much more.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Arts And Culture█████████████████████████████████████████████81%
Procedural████7%
Community Engagement██4%
Budget Equity Analysis██3%
Education█2%
Mental Health Awareness█1%
Land Use Planning█1%
Public Safety█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Las Vegas Arts Commission Meeting - March 19, 2026

The Las Vegas Arts Commission convened on March 19, 2026, at 4:00 PM at the Civic Center. Chair Carmen Beals presided, with a quorum present (Commissioner Chi excused). The meeting included reports from the Chair, the First Friday Foundation, Cultural Affairs staff on festivals and initiatives, and a presentation on commission roles under municipal code. The meeting adjourned at 5:19 PM.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes: The final minutes of the February 19, 2026 regular meeting were approved by motion (passed without dissent).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public comments were made during either public comment period.

Discussion Items

  • Chair Beals' Report: Announced upcoming events including the "Notions of Erasure" reception (March 19, 5-7 PM at City Hall Chamber Gallery), a public art proposal workshop led by Lois Ledris (March 26, 6:30-7:30 PM at Civic Center), and several other community arts events.
  • Commissioner Announcements: Multiple commissioners shared upcoming arts events, including an Artist Inc. webinar (April 3 & 13), an exhibit at West Charleston Library (April 14), the "Art You OK" Wellness Festival (March 21, noon-6 PM at Civic Center Plaza), and various events at Nuwu Art Gallery and elsewhere.
  • First Friday Foundation Presentation: Executive Director Corey Fagan provided an overview of First Friday's programs, highlighting the monthly event drawing over 20,000 attendees, the Art You OK mental health initiative serving 19 Clark County schools, and the upcoming Art You OK Resource Fair on March 21. She also described the Rancho High School mural project and a partnership with Dazzle Africa. Commissioners expressed strong support and appreciation for the foundation's work.
  • Cultural Affairs Manager Report: Jonathan Mesa presented on the performing arts division, noting that over 60% of artists in the current season are local. He outlined the city's internally produced festivals (Bluegrass, Caribbean Heritage, Dia de los Muertos, etc.), which serve over 20,000 guests annually. He discussed facility management (Centennial Hills Amphitheater, Goodman Plaza, Sammy Davis Jr. Festival Plaza, historic Fifth Street School, West Las Vegas Arts Center, Charleston Heights Arts Center) and artist/vendor selection processes. Commissioners offered additional artist connections and praised the Indigenous Talent Showcase.
  • Staff Report on Current Initiatives: Staff provided updates on percent-for-the-arts projects, including:
    • Upcoming meeting schedule (April 16, May 21, June 18; dark July-August; return September 17).
    • Closing reception for Don Michael Jr.'s exhibition (over 50 attendees).
    • AMP Ward 3 and Ward 4 Gateway projects: contracts finalizing, painting to begin next month.
    • Arts District Garage Project: design presentation April 1 at 4 PM.
    • Boulder Plaza Sculpture Project: cancelled due to missed milestones; termination notice issued February 18.
    • Celebrating Life juried exhibition (ages 50+) open through April 22.
    • Cliff Garden sculpture installation scheduled for April 27, illumination event May 7.
    • Conservation and maintenance updates: Doc Romeo Skate Park mural refresh, graffiti abatement contract, restoration plans for older works.
    • Art in Public Places exhibition purchase project allocated $91,500; additional general funds could be used.
  • Educational Initiatives Report: Staff outlined the Public Art Education Series, launched in 2022, which has hosted 12 events. Upcoming events include an artist talk by Jig and Alexia (April 2), Cliff Garden (May 8), and crit chat sessions.
  • Roles and Responsibilities Presentation: Laura Machado reviewed Las Vegas Municipal Code Chapter 2.34, defining eligible uses of percent-for-the-arts funds. Key points: funds may only be used for artwork approved by city council as part of the municipal arts plan; eligible expenses include artist services, fabrication, installation, and integral landscape/architectural features. Mass-produced objects (unless part of original artwork) are not eligible. Commissioner Shark clarified that access to art is not a supported use.

Key Outcomes

  • Minutes Approved: The February 19, 2026 regular meeting minutes were approved.
  • Boulder Plaza Sculpture Project Cancelled: The project was terminated due to missed milestones; funds will revert to percent-for-the-arts account.
  • Next Steps for Art Acquisition: While $91,500 is allocated for the Art in Public Places exhibition purchase, additional funds for percent-for-the-arts projects must be allocated in September and approved by city council in November.
  • Commission Expressed Support: Commissioners voiced strong support for First Friday Foundation, Cultural Affairs programming, and educational initiatives.
  • Future Meetings: Scheduled for April 16, May 21, June 18, 2026; no meetings in July and August.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon, everyone. I would like to call the March nineteenth meeting to order at four PM. Uh Deputy City Clerk, are we in compliance? Yes, Chair, we are. Um, for item number one, we will need to do the roll call. Chair Beals. Here. Vice Chair Bednarchik. Here. Second, Vice Chair Roberts. Here. Commissioner Clevin. Here. Commissioner Douglas. Here. Commissioner DeSantis. Here. Commissioner Chirk. Here. Commissioner Portnoy. Here. Commissioner Chi. Excused. Commissioner Von Bastians. Here. Commissioner Galatian. Here. Thank you, Chair. You have a quorum. Thank you so much, Yvette. This meeting has been properly noticed and posted within the has this meeting been properly noted and posted within the open meeting law. Yes, Chair has. Thank you so much. Now we'll move on to item number two, announcement regarding oh, item number three. I'm sorry, you all. 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. Do we have anyone at this time? I'm moving on to item number four for possible action to approve the final minutes by reference of the regular meeting of February nineteenth, two thousand twenty-six. Motion passes. Next, I would like to move to item number five report by Carmen Beals, Art Commission chair regarding a monthly summary of current initiatives, cultural events, and opportunities awards. Join us this evening for the Nations of Erasure reception, March 19th, 5 to 7 p.m. at City Hall Chamber Gallery. Notions of Erasure is an exhibition of Nevada Arts Council Fellowship recipients on view through April 23rd. Join us for a workshop led by Artist Lois Ledris, how to craft your first public art proposal Thursday, March 26th from 6 30 to 7 30 at Civic Center Public Meeting Room. This educational workshop will break down the key elements of creating a strong public art proposal. This event is free and open to the public. For more information about these events, please visit WWW.artslas Vegas org or call 702 229 Arts 2787.

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