Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Clark County eyes government complex site for a fine arts museum

museum

The Clark County Government Center complex could become the location of Las Vegas’ first standalone fine arts museum.

The museum was supposed to be built on a 1.2 acre lot in Symphony Park, but museum organizers determined the space was too small to include everything on their wish list.

Heather Harmon, the museum’s deputy director, said the limited space would prevent incorporating an outdoor sculpture garden, which officials say is an important component for a space meant to be utilized by the entire community. The $250 million project would be a Las Vegas extension of the Reno-based Nevada Museum of Art.

“We want to bring a museum of global caliber to the community, and have a welcoming facility we feel is home,” she said. “We want the community to feel reflected in it.”

Harmon said the timing is right for such a venture in fine arts, noting the popularity of the Seven Magic Mountains desert art installation off Interstate 15 and the success of the Smith Center for the Performing Arts in downtown.

“The Smith Center showed what is possible in fine arts. It was a dream beautifully realized,” she said. “It has been such a source of pride for the city, so having that foundation and structure to support us will help us grow in the future and make this project a reality.”

The southern end of the Clark County complex would allow for up to five acres of extra space, according to museum officials. Building the museum there would also keep the location near downtown, which is key, Harmon said. Commissioner Tick Segerblom, who proposed the county’s partnership with the museum, said during Tuesday’s commission meeting that the museum would add to the architectural landscape of the area.

“Personally, I think it would be great for visibility,” he said.

Museum officials haven’t come to a consensus on what the museum will look like, but they are considering working with world-renowned architects like David Adjaye or Sharon Johnston and Mark Lee.

Commission Vice Chairman Lawrence Weekly, who represents the district where the proposed site would be located, supports the proposal but wants more details. While the county owns between three to five acres of vacant land, space still needs to be left for adequate parking.

Harmon said the county site is a strong candidate for the location, but museum officials are still considering other downtown locations proposed by the city of Las Vegas.

“The city has been so amicable and we have been with them throughout the process,” she said. "It has been of paramount importance to us to have their support early on as we all serve the same constituents.”