Cultural void is created

Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009 | 2:07 a.m.

When the Las Vegas Art Museum moved into what was then the new Sahara West Library in 1997, hopes were raised that a place where contemporary art was exhibited would fit in nicely with the newest addition to the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District.

The museum staged numerous exhibits and lectures that celebrated artists from Nevada and elsewhere. It was a place where students from the Clark County School District could gain an appreciation for paintings, sculptures and other examples of fine art by attending the exhibits and then doing their own projects.

All of this will sadly come to an end Saturday when the museum closes, yet another victim of the sour economy.

As reporter Kristen Peterson wrote last week in the Las Vegas Sun, the museum, which relied almost exclusively on private funding, simply ran out of options after its shrinking budget forced it to lay off workers. Having existed as an organization since 1950, when it began as an art league, the museum had staying power but had never confronted times as tough as now.

Former museum Executive Director Libby Lumpkin, who resigned in December when its board announced the budget cuts, told the Sun: “It’s just a lesson in the fact that no serious museum will be possible without public support. Maybe I missed the readiness of Las Vegas to move in the direction of an urban metropolis.”

There are several ways a mature metropolis projects itself to the outside world. Noteworthy downtown skylines, people-friendly airports and professional sports teams are certainly examples. So, too, are museums that expose the public to the unique insights offered by the wonderful world of art.

There is no question that the museum’s demise — at least for the time being — is a step backward culturally for Southern Nevada.

One can only hope that when the economy rebounds the museum will reemerge and grow to be stronger than ever.