Clark County Public Arts Issues a Call for Proposals to Create Empowerment Art

Application Deadline: Thursday, March 24

Photo by Steve Johnson

The Clark County Public Arts Office is seeking a professional digital artist or art team to work with youth to create inspiring, encouraging, and empowering messages to be displayed in the restrooms at the Hollywood Recreation Center. The project has a budget of $4,000, which is to be used for the requirements under the scope of work and all necessary materials, supplies, labor, and surface preparation.

Artists must submit their applications by 12 p.m. on Thursday, March 24, to the Clark County Public Arts website at https://tinyurl.com/ClarkCountyPublicArtCalls.

This entry-level public art project is open to all ages 18 and older. Applicants must be Clark County residents. Clark County employees and previous Empowerment Art! grant recipients are not eligible to apply. If an artist team is selected, the selected artist, or Project Lead, will be contracted with Clark County and receive funding. The artist will be responsible to do the following as part of the project:

· Facilitate at least four, two-hour workshops with youth ages 6 to 17 that will provide inspiration for empowerment messages important to the youth at the Hollywood Recreation Center. All project and workshop supplies are to be provided by the artist.

· Create digital designs containing inspiring, encouraging, and empowering messages aimed at the facility's youth patrons. Arrangements will be printed on vinyl and professionally installed on restroom stall doors by outside contractors. Cost of printing and installation is covered by the Public Arts Program.

Clark County Public Arts Office's mission is to promote, encourage and connect the community with culture and public art around the valley. The Clark County Public Arts program can be found on Facebook and Instagram @CCPublicArts. Those wanting more information about Clark County’s Public Arts Program can visit https://bit.ly/3A88Tx2.

UNLV Symphony Orchestra March 27 Concert Honors Ukraine

Conducted by Ukrainian-born Taras Krysa, the orchestra performs works by Martinů, Skoryk, and Strauss.

The UNLV Symphony Orchestra will perform “For Ukraine,” conducted by Ukrainian-born Taras Krysa, Director of Orchestras at UNLV. Music featured will include Martinů, Skoryk, and Strauss in Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall at 3 p.m. on March 27.

Krysa is establishing a reputation for innovative and thoughtful music-making throughout the United States and Europe. In addition to serving as the Director of Orchestras at UNLV, Krysa serves as the Music Director of the Lviv (Ukraine) Philharmonic Orchestra.

Krysa has appeared internationally with orchestras including the New World Symphony, Netherlands Symphony Orchestra, St. Petersburg Symphony, Moscow Soloists, Slovak Sinfonietta, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, Kiev Chamber Orchestra, Lublin Philharmonic Orchestra, Las Vegas Philharmonic Orchestra, Odessa Philharmonic Orchestra, and many others. In addition, Krysa led several European orchestras on tours in China, Germany, and the Netherlands, including appearances there at Concertgebouw Hall.

An accomplished violinist, he was a member of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and the New World Symphony Orchestra and continues to maintain an active career performing chamber music.

Krysa recently concluded his ninth season as the Artistic and Music Director of the Henderson Symphony Orchestra in Nevada. Under his leadership, the ensemble saw its audience expand ten-fold, and its concerts recognized as a treasured part of the community’s cultural life.

He actively promotes new music and has made three critically acclaimed recordings for the Brilliant Classics label, two of which featured works by Mozart and one a live recording of Freddie Mercury’s rock opera, Barcelona.

Krysa attended the Gnessin in Moscow before moving with his family to the United States in 1989, where he continued his studies in violin and conducting at Indiana University and Northwestern University. His conducting teachers were Victor Yampolsky, Jorma Panula, and David Zinman. Krysa attended The Pierre Monteux School and the American Academy of Conducting at the Aspen Music Festival.

Tickets are $15 with $10 discounted tickets for the in-person event available to seniors, military members, UNLV faculty and staff, and all students. All students also may receive one free ticket with a valid ID. Tickets can be purchased at the UNLV Performing Arts Center Box Office, conveniently located on the northeast end of campus attached to the south face of the parking garage; view maps and directions for more information. Tickets can also be purchased by calling (702) 895-ARTS (2787) or Buy Online.

UNLV Performing Arts Center patrons are welcome to park in the Cottage Grove Parking Garage. Parking is free after 7 p.m. Monday to Thursday, after 1 p.m. Friday, and all weekend. Visit UNLV Parking and Transportation Services for more information.

Community Lutheran Church and Jazz Outreach Initiative offer free concert on Nov. 10

After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, a free concert featuring Clint Holmes and Kenny Rampton with the JOI Jazz Orchestra and the Las Vegas Youth Jazz Orchestra to be performed at the new JOI HQ.

Community Lutheran Church and Jazz Outreach Initiative host a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at new JOI HQ, 3690 E. Tropicana Ave. beginning at 6 p.m. on Wed. Nov. 10. Following the brief ceremony at 6:30 p.m. at the new JOI HQ office, JOI will present a free “Thank You” Concert, open to the public, at 7:30 p.m. across the street in the main sanctuary of Community Lutheran Church located at 3720 E Tropicana Ave, near the corner of Tropicana Avenue and Sandhill Road. Tickets are not required.

“The outstanding support for Jazz Outreach Initiative by Pastor Ben Bergren and the entire pastoral and leadership team at Community Lutheran Church affords us a unique opportunity to continue our outstanding programs connecting the language of music to the language of life for youth throughout our community,” said Donny Thompson, Executive Director for JOI.

Pastor Ben Bergren added, “We fully believe in and support the mission of the Jazz Outreach Initiative and the deep impact JOI has for the youth in our community. Youth are our future, and the arts are vital to sustaining and improving the quality of life for everyone. Community Lutheran Church has always celebrated the importance of the arts, and we incorporate that fully as part of our core values and in our message to our congregation.”

Community Lutheran Church has a long history of supplementing its pastoral ministries with the arts in Southern Nevada. When Jazz Outreach Initiative’s co-founder and V.P. of Programming, Gary Cordell, approached the church, the response was overwhelmingly positive. Cordell performs regularly for the congregation on trumpet and performs free military bugler services for fallen service members, including those who attend CLC through his charity, TAPPS. The ability to base out of the large open area located within the new “JOI HQ” space has already enabled the charity to rehearse both the Las Vegas Youth Jazz Orchestra and the new professional JOI Jazz Orchestra in an environment that allows adequate distancing and other safety protocols including disinfectant spraying and more.

The Las Vegas Youth Jazz Orchestra is comprised of talented student musicians from across the valley aged middle school through 19. The LVYJO was created in February 2020, just before the pandemic shutdown, and recorded numerous YouTube performances throughout that year.

The JOI Jazz Orchestra was founded in late 2020 and is a professional big band made up of some of the finest musicians in the world. Many of these performers also serve as volunteer mentors with the LVYJO. The JOI Jazz Orchestra released two YouTube recordings in December and January, including a world premiere of Kenny Rampton’s arrangement of “Smile” featuring Clint Holmes and members of the LV Philharmonic strings, and “Merry Christmas Baby” arranged by Sherman Irby for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. JOI co-founder, Artistic Director, and President is Kenny Rampton, a member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis.

Jazz Outreach Initiative is a 501(c)(3) music educational nonprofit charity whose programs connect the language of music to the language of life for youth throughout our community. JOI operates on three primary pillars, jazz awareness, outreach programs, educational programs, and performances. JOI hosts the nation’s largest annual Regional Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Festival. JOI also founded and leads the Las Vegas Youth Jazz Orchestra, comprised of middle school and high school-aged students from across the valley. JOI also presents educational programs at CCSD elementary, middle, and high schools, emphasizing Title 1 “at-risk” populations. And recently, JOI launched “Jazz Routes,” which provides youth with donated instruments and a year of free private lessons. In November, JOI will officially launch its first public performance by the JOI Jazz Orchestra; a professional big band made up of JOI’s stable of outstanding volunteer mentors and some of the region’s first-call musicians. For more info, visit www.jazzoutreachinitiative.org.