By Paul Takahashi
Monday, Feb. 28, 2011 | 2:57 p.m.
Map of The Society Inc
4104 Cathedral Falls Ave, North Las Vegas
Las Vegas gaming industry leader Diana Bennett recently donated $1.5 million to The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, set to open in March 2012.
Bennett is the CEO and co-founder of Paragon Gaming and the daughter of Las Vegas casino industry pioneer William Bennett.
Diana Bennett’s donation – which makes her the 42nd Founder of The Smith Center – will be used to construct the new performing arts center in downtown Las Vegas.
“We are incredibly thankful for both the donation and support The Smith Center has received from Diana Bennett,” chairman Donald Snyder said in a statement. “Our family is so grateful to the gaming industry, but I think the difficult times we are seeing now illustrate that Las Vegas has to go beyond gaming to continue to grow and thrive.
“The Smith Center can be a part of that,” Bennett said. “It’s going to be a huge source of pride for Las Vegas and an incredibly important piece in the revival of downtown Las Vegas.”
Plans for the five-acre Smith Center campus call for three performance spaces, including the 2,050-seat Reynolds Hall and the Boman Pavilion that will house a cabaret jazz space and a studio theater. The cultural campus will also feature the Discovery Children’s Museum.
The Smith Center broke ground in May 2009, and is located in downtown’s 61-acre Symphony Park.
The Society Inc The Smith Center for the Performing Arts offers a blend of performances by resident companies and touring attractions. The 5-acre cultural campus features three performance spaces, which includes a main performance area with more than 2,000 seats. This downtown cultural center of Las Vegas looks to educate, entertain and excite community members.
OUR MISSION
To provide and preserve a high-quality performing arts center that is embraced by the community and recognized as a vital force by supporting artistic excellence, education and inspiration for all.
OUR GOALS
To entertain, educate, enrich and inspire the southern Nevada community.
FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES
Thanks to the generous support of our dedicated founders, members, donors and community partners, The Smith Center continues to provide a wide variety of services for Southern Nevada residents, including access to world-class performances, inspirational Education and Outreach programs for students and teachers, and a unique space to host events, meetings and special occasions. Celebrating our fifth season, we depend upon public support to fulfill our mission and serve as the Heart of the Arts for many years to come.
With ticket sales covering just 75 percent of our operating budget for each season, the remaining 25 percent comes from the community we serve. Philanthropic support at all levels helps provide programming that entertains, educates, enriches and inspires. By giving to The Smith Center, you play a vital role in providing an important resource for our community.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
There are many opportunities to volunteer and play a direct role with your community's performing arts complex. Volunteers engage with staff and patrons to enhance experiences at The Smith Center, and can serve in various capacities including tour guide/docent, usher, security team member or community ambassador. As important members of The Smith Center team, volunteers help us remain financially sustainable and provide numerous services for the community. Please show your support for The Smith Center's mission by gifting your time and unique skills.
GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
Members' annual support provides crucial resources for The Smith Center's artistic programming, education opportunities and cultural enrichment each year. There are a variety of giving options and levels, and Members receive exclusive benefits and behind-the-scenes opportunities based on their level of support. To learn more, please visit www.thesmithcenter.com/support-us/members.
The Encore Society recognizes those generous donors who have included The Smith Center as a part of their estate plan. Corporate Sponsorship is available to companies to underwrite all, or part, of a program, performance or event.
Fanfare! is The Smith Center's young progressional networking organization, open to anyone with an interest in the performing arts who is between the ages of 21-40. And our Show Dedication allows for the celebration of an individual or special occasion with unique recognition opportunities during a specific performance.
SERVICE AREA
The Smith Center provides world-class performing arts and outreach and education throughout the Southern Nevada region.
YEAR ESTABLISHED
2012.
The organization originally formed in 1996 as the Las Vegas Performing Arts Center.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Myron G. Martin President and CEO Donald D. Snyder Chairman Dr. Keith Boman Vice Chairman Mark Tratos Secretary Michael Yackira Treasurer David Dunn Alan M. Feldman Richard Haddrill Fred Hipwell Nancy Houssels Todd-Avery Lenahan Scott MacTaggart Jerry Nadal John Nelson Richard Plaster Rory Reid Kim Sinatra Roger P. Thomas 4104 Cathedral Falls Ave North Las Vegas,
NV
702-749-2000
CORRECTION: The quote from Diana Bennett was wrongly attributed to Donald Snyder when this story was first reported. | (March 2, 2011)
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