The Smith Center for the Performing Arts

The Las Vegas Performing Arts Center Foundation, in partnership with the city of Las Vegas, is developing The Smith Center for the Performing Arts. Upon completion, The Smith Center will place Las Vegas on the world stage for performing arts, attracting world-class artistry, diverse productions and a highly-skilled workforce.

Centrally located in downtown’s 61-acre Union Park, The Smith Center sits on nearly five acres on the corner of Bonneville Avenue and Grand Central Parkway. The multi-theater complex will offer a blend of performances by local arts groups as well as first-run touring attractions. It will feature music, theatre, and dance companies from all over the world, and will be home to the Las Vegas Philharmonic and Nevada Ballet Theatre.

The Smith Center is funded by a public/private partnership. The city of Las Vegas has provided the land, infrastructure and parking for the facility. In addition, the city, Clark County and state legislature collaborated on a car rental fee that will result in a bond of at least $125 million.

The private funding campaign was launched by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation with a landmark gift of $50 million in 2005, in honor of their chairman, Fred W. Smith, and his wife, Mary. Since then, The Reynolds Foundation has continued their generosity, pledging an additional $100 million challenge grant. This gift is the largest philanthropic donation in state history, and combined with their initial contribution, is the second largest donation to the performing arts in the United States.

The Smith Center is expected to break ground in early 2009 with construction completed in mid 2011.

For more details on The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, please visit http://www.thesmithcenter.com/.

All media-related questions should be directed to Jennifer Clark, by calling (702) 614-0109, or by e-mailing jenniferclark@thesmithcenter.com

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