OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Las Vegas Arts Commission Meeting - April 30, 2026

Public Meetings — Thursday, April 30, 2026
BodyLas Vegas, Nevada
SessionPublic Meetings
DateThursday, April 30, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 53:52

Transcript — Verbatim
2:37

I now call the April thirtieth, two thousand twenty six Las Vegas Arts Commission to order.

2:43

Would Deputy Clerk City Clerk Yvette please take roll call?

2:48

Chair Beals.

2:49

Here.

2:50

Second Vice Chair Roberts.

2:53

Excused.

2:54

Commissioner Clevin.

2:56

Here.

2:56

Commissioner Douglas.

2:58

Here.

2:59

Commissioner DeSantis.

3:01

Commissioner Chirk.

3:03

Excused.

3:04

Commissioner Chi?

3:05

Here.

3:06

Commissioner Portnoy.

3:07

Here.

3:08

Commissioner Von Bastians.

3:09

Here.

3:09

Commissioner Collati.

3:11

Excused.

3:12

Commissioner Vitone.

3:14

Here.

3:14

Commissioner Anderson.

3:16

Here.

3:16

Thank you, Chair.

3:17

We have a quorum.

3:19

And has the meeting been properly noticed and posted in compliance with the Nevada Open Meeting Law?

3:25

Yes, Chair, it has.

3:26

Thank you so much.

3:28

And I would also like to welcome two new commissioners.

3:32

Would you please give your name and a little in who you representing?

3:40

Commissioner Vatone, I'm representing Ward Five, Councilwoman Summers Armstrong.

3:52

Thank you both.

4:01

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

4:06

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

4:11

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

4:20

Seeing none, we'll go ahead and move on to item number four for possible action to approve the final minutes by reference of the regular meeting of March nineteenth, two thousand twenty-six.

5:00

Now we'll move to agenda item number five, which is a report by me, Carmen Beals, the Commissioner Chair, regarding a monthly summary of current initiatives, southern cultural events and opportunities awards.

5:10

Please join us for the illumination ceremony of harmonic ascension by Cliff Garden Studios, located in the Civic Center Plaza on May 7th at 5 30 p.m.

5:21

Remarks will begin at 6 p.m.

5:23

with the illumination happening at 6 30 p.m.

5:27

Also join us next month for the opening reception of Peaks and Valleys, capturing the highs and lows of the Las Vegas Valley, curated by Donna Fox, Thursday, May 21st from 5 to 7 p.m.

5:40

at the Mayor's Gallery at the Historic Fifth Street School.

5:44

For more information about these events, please visit www.artslosvegas.org or call 702-229 arts.

5:54

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

6:00

This is Commissioner Portnoy.

6:02

I have an exhibit running at the West Charleston Library through the middle of June called the Endangered Species series, featuring 18 works of art for the endangered species.

6:18

Commissioner Douglas, um, at the New Wu Art Gallery and Community Center.

6:22

Uh we're hosting on May 9th from noon to 2 p.m.

6:26

on a Saturday, the opening reception of the Native Youth Art Exhibition, celebrate aspiring Native American youth artists with an opening K through 12 students in the Clark County School District, Indian Education Opportunities Program, as well as homeschooled students present their creations from culture, heritage, and fun.

6:45

This uh event is not limited to the Native students who uh put out their art, but to all community members so you can come and celebrate them and you know cheer them on.

6:56

We have about 20 works that are going to be presented from many different tribes.

7:01

Uh, we're also going to have Indian tacos for the first 60 participants.

7:07

Oh, and it's sponsored by the Indigenous AF nonprofit, CCSD's Indian Education Opportunities Program, and the Andy Warhol Foundation.

7:19

This is Commissioner Clevin.

7:21

Um, on Saturday, May 2nd at 7 p.m.

7:24

here at Civic Center in the Plaza Downstairs, Vegas City Opera will be presenting music of the night, a concert of musical gems.

7:31

Please join us.

7:33

Um, also on Friday, May 8th at the Centennial Hills Amphitheater at 7 p.m.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Arts And Culture█████████████████████████████████████████████75%
Procedural██████10%
Economic Development████6%
Public Engagement████6%
Community Engagement██3%
Summary of Proceedings

Las Vegas Arts Commission Meeting - April 30, 2026

The Las Vegas Arts Commission held its regular meeting on April 30, 2026, with Chair Carmen Beals presiding. The commission reviewed minutes, heard reports on current initiatives, received a presentation from the Southern Nevada Arts Coalition, and received updates on the Public Art Master Plan. Several new commissioners were welcomed.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the final minutes of the March 19, 2026 regular meeting by reference.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public comments were made.

Chair's Report

  • Chair Beals announced upcoming events: illumination ceremony of "Harmonic Ascension" by Cliff Garden Studios on May 7, and opening reception of "Peaks and Valleys" on May 21.
  • Commissioners shared additional events: Commissioner Portnoy's Endangered Species series at West Charleston Library; Commissioner Douglas's Native Youth Art Exhibition on May 9; Commissioner Clevin's events including Vegas City Opera concert, Jazz Under the Stars, and Peter and the Starcatcher performances.

Southern Nevada Arts Coalition (SNAC) Presentation

  • Demasini Gray, Secretary and founding board member, presented the coalition's mission to empower and sustain Southern Nevada through the arts. Founded in 2024 after the City of Las Vegas Arts and Culture Summit, SNAC aims to become a re-granting agency and local arts agency to increase funding for artists and arts organizations. The coalition has achieved 501(c)(3) status and has held community events (SNAC Times). Board members Gina Blackman Taylor and Matt Hodges shared their personal motivations. Key goals: financial stability, community engagement, advocacy for the 2027 Nevada legislative session, and establishing a grant-making program.
  • Commissioner Chi inquired about expenses, learning that community outreach and advocacy have been the main costs, with no staff yet.
  • Commissioner Portnoy offered suggestions to engage creatives across disciplines and emphasized collaboration.

Cultural Affairs Staff Reports

  • Holly Lay, Laura Machado, and Mary Sabo provided updates on numerous projects:
    • AMP Ward 3 Gateway and Arts District utility cabinet painting underway.
    • AMP Ward 4 cabinets completed.
    • Arts District garage mural in contract negotiations.
    • Call for artists for the Art in Public Places exhibition (guest curator Demasini Gray).
    • "Celebrating Life" exhibition received over 300 submissions; juried selections made.
    • Call for gallery proposals open.
    • "Harmonic Ascension" sculpture installed at Civic Center Plaza.
    • Conservation of "Radial Symmetry"; repainting of "Snowball" sculpture.
    • Monthly Crit Chats beginning in June.
    • "Here's Park Tile Mural" design selected: "Gila Monster" by Miguel Rodriguez, installation fall 2027.
    • Wallapai Canyon Trailhead design selected: Luis Varelo Rico.
    • Upcoming exhibitions: "Six Ways of Seeing" at Chamber Gallery, "Windows on First" by Sarissa Lopez.
  • Commissioner Portnoy suggested a traveling art show in parks; Commissioner Clevin noted existing art in the park events.

Public Art Master Plan Update

  • Laura Machado reported on the city's public art program, which includes over 1,000 pieces and a $4.5 million Percent for the Arts Fund. The updated master plan (2023) provides 41 recommendations over 10 years; 13 have been completed.
  • Accomplishments include: interactive map on website, meet the artist events, updated policies for collection care, extended exhibition timelines, increased educational outreach, regional loans, and outdoor art projects.
  • Future plans include greater commissioner involvement in project evaluation panels, site visits, and dedication events.
  • Commissioner Chi requested that commissioners be invited to the state of the city address; staff noted they would ensure future invitations.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved the March 19, 2026 meeting minutes.
  • Received and filed reports from the Southern Nevada Arts Coalition and cultural affairs staff.
  • No formal action items were voted on beyond the minutes approval.

Meeting Transcript

I now call the April thirtieth, two thousand twenty six Las Vegas Arts Commission to order. Would Deputy Clerk City Clerk Yvette please take roll call? Chair Beals. Here. Second Vice Chair Roberts. Excused. Commissioner Clevin. Here. Commissioner Douglas. Here. Commissioner DeSantis. Commissioner Chirk. Excused. Commissioner Chi? Here. Commissioner Portnoy. Here. Commissioner Von Bastians. Here. Commissioner Collati. Excused. Commissioner Vitone. Here. Commissioner Anderson. Here. Thank you, Chair. We have a quorum. And has the meeting been properly noticed and posted in compliance with the Nevada Open Meeting Law? Yes, Chair, it has. Thank you so much. And I would also like to welcome two new commissioners. Would you please give your name and a little in who you representing? Commissioner Vatone, I'm representing Ward Five, Councilwoman Summers Armstrong. Thank you both. Comment during this portion of the agenda must be limited to matters on the agenda for action. If you wish to be heard, please 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. Seeing none, we'll go ahead and move on to item number four for possible action to approve the final minutes by reference of the regular meeting of March nineteenth, two thousand twenty-six. Now we'll move to agenda item number five, which is a report by me, Carmen Beals, the Commissioner Chair, regarding a monthly summary of current initiatives, southern cultural events and opportunities awards. Please join us for the illumination ceremony of harmonic ascension by Cliff Garden Studios, located in the Civic Center Plaza on May 7th at 5 30 p.m. Remarks will begin at 6 p.m. with the illumination happening at 6 30 p.m. Also join us next month for the opening reception of Peaks and Valleys, capturing the highs and lows of the Las Vegas Valley, curated by Donna Fox, Thursday, May 21st from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Mayor's Gallery at the Historic Fifth Street School. For more information about these events, please visit www.artslosvegas.org or call 702-229 arts. Do any commissioners have additional events or happenings that they would like to mention? This is Commissioner Portnoy. I have an exhibit running at the West Charleston Library through the middle of June called the Endangered Species series, featuring 18 works of art for the endangered species. Commissioner Douglas, um, at the New Wu Art Gallery and Community Center. Uh we're hosting on May 9th from noon to 2 p.m.

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