Shortage of funds forces art gallery to close

Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2000 | 11:15 a.m.

Las Vegas' budding downtown arts community will have to press on without the Nevada Institute of Contemporary Arts.

The not-for-profit organization will close its gallery's doors when its final exhibit finishes April 8.

"It's a very sad thing," said Phillip Peckman, chairman of the board commonly called "NICA."

Peckman, who also is chief operating officer for the Greenspun Corp., said the 14-year-old organization has been struggling the past three years to keep its gallery and education programs afloat. Greenspun Corp. is owned by the Greenspun family, which publishes the Las Vegas Sun.

The gallery moved to its current location about a year ago, but even cheaper rent couldn't save it. The group needs about $250,000 annually just to make ends meet, and it just couldn't find enough donors, he said.

"This is all about raising money," Peckman said. "NICA couldn't raise sufficient funds. That's not to say another one won't be able to. We all hope so."

The gallery featured art by local graduate students in addition to nationally known artists. It is housed on the first floor of the Arts Factory, a building filled with artists' studios and galleries on Charleston Boulevard just east of Main Street.

Wes Isbutt, professional photographer and building owner, said he is sorry to see the gallery fail.

"It brings me much sadness because I've been giving to NICA for 10 years," Isbutt said. "It's a thankless job, and they got tired of being thankless."

Michael Shulman, a NICA board member, said the lack of financial support illustrates something that's not good about Las Vegas.

"Las Vegas is a fantastic city, except it's got to be the most culturally apathetic city in North America," Shulman said. "The people of affluence are perfectly capable of traveling to other cities for that culture. Vegas appeals to the lowest common culture-denominator."

Isbutt says the majority of Las Vegas residents likely have no idea what they're losing -- including many of those who have visited the Arts Factory.

"When people come in here, no one asks questions. They don't ask who, what or why. It is truly amazing," he said. "It's a strange, strange populace here."

Losing the NICA gallery is tough, but Isbutt said it won't affect the Arts Factory. He has a waiting list of prospective tenants and is considering five of the proposals.

"Some sort of art will show in that space," Isbutt said. "From the ashes the Phoenix will rise."