ARTS COMMISSION

Las Vegas Municipal Code tit. 2, ch. 2.34

in effect

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 2.34.010 Established—Purpose.

2.34.010 - Established—Purpose. (A) There is created an Arts Commission. (B) The purpose of the Arts Commission shall be to serve as an advisory body to the City Council with respect to matters pertaining to the arts. (Ord. 3288 § 3, 1987)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 2.34.015 Definitions.

2.34.015 - Definitions. As used in this Chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, the words and terms defined in this Section have the meanings ascribed to them herein as follows: "Administrative Cost" means all costs associated with the operations of the Art Commission, including those costs incurred in connection with artistic programs and projects and the selection, acquisition, installation and exhibition of, and publicity about, City-owned works of art. "Arts Fund" means the fund designated in Subsection (A) of Section 2.34.130. "Capital Improvements" means any City capital project including, but not limited to, those paid for wholly or in part by the City to construct, remodel, renovate, or repair any building, park, street, sidewalk, parking facility or utility or any portion thereof within the limits of the City boundaries. "Municipal Arts Fund" means the fund described in Section 2.34.180. "Municipal Arts Plan" means an annual plan approved by the City Council for works of art and other artistic programs and projects in the City. "Percent for the Arts" means a program whereby a percentage of the City's annual capital improvements budget is appropriated by the City Council to the Municipal Arts Fund. Works of Art. (1) "Works of Art" means: (a) Two or three dimensional art that may be integrated into the structure of a public works project, building, landscape, other fixture or element, in any material or media or combination thereof; (b) Two or three dimensional art of any material or media or combination thereof; (c) Enhancements to public works projects, buildings, landscapes or any standardized fixtures and elements that are designed by an artist or by a design team which includes an artist member; and (d) New genres including video, electronic and digital art, holography, video and additional technologically based forms as they evolve. (2) For the purposes of this Section the term "works of art" does not mean: (a) Commercially mass produced objects of standard designs, except where these elements are integral parts of an original artwork; (b) Reproductions, by mechanical or other means, of original works of art, except in cases of film, video, photography, printmaking or other media arts; (c) Directional elements such as supergraphics, signage or color coding, except where these elements are integral parts of an artwork; (d) Decorative, ornamental or functional elements which are not designed by an artist; and (e) Landscape architecture and landscape gardening, except where these elements are designed by an artist or are an integral part of an artwork, or are both designed by an artist and an integral part of an artwork. (Ord. 5654 § 1, 2003)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 2.34.020 Composition—Qualifications—Voting restrictions.

2.34.020 - Composition—Qualifications—Voting restrictions. (A) The Arts Commission shall consist of twelve voting members to be appointed in the manner provided for in Section 2.34.030 of this Chapter. (B) No member of the Arts Commission shall hold an elected public office. (C) The members of the Arts Commission shall consider the total cultural well-being of the City and shall be persons who have diverse interests in, and knowledge about, the various artistic disciplines. (D) As an individual, a member of the Arts Commission shall not serve as an advocate for a single arts discipline or for a particular arts organization. The Arts Commission as a whole shall serve as an advocacy body for all the arts disciplines. (E) A member of the Arts Commission who serves as a board member or an officer of an arts organization shall abstain from the discussion with respect to and voting on that organization's applications to the Arts Commission for funding. (F) The membership of the Arts Commission shall include at least one but not more than three arts professionals and at least one but not more than three practicing artists. (G) For the purpose of this Section, the term "arts professional" means a person who is employed full-time in the profession of arts administration, and the term "practicing artist" means a person whose major profession is the practice of an artistic discipline. (Ord. 5392 § 1, 2001: Ord. 3288 § 4, 1987)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 2.34.030 Composition—Appointments.

2.34.030 - Composition—Appointments. The membership of the Arts Commission shall be as follows: (A) Three members appointed by the Mayor; (B) One member appointed by each of the City Councilmen; (C) Two members appointed by the members who are appointed pursuant to Subsections (A) and (B) of this Section; and (D) One member representative of City staff, appointed by the City Manager, or a designee, who shall serve ex officio. (Ord. 6016 § 1, 2008: Ord. 5392 § 2, 2001: Ord. 3288 § 5, 1987)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 2.34.050 Term.

2.34.050 - Term. Except with respect to the ex officio member: (A) The term of each member of the Arts Commission shall be four years or until his or her successor is appointed and qualifies. (B) No member shall be reappointed more than once. (Ord. 5392 § 4, 2001: Ord. 3571 § 1, 1991: Ord. 3288 § 7, 1987)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 2.34.060 Resignation—Tenure—Vacancies—Reappointment.

2.34.060 - Resignation—Tenure—Vacancies—Reappointment. (A) Any member may discontinue his or her membership by resignation. Members appointed pursuant to Subsections (A) and (B) of Section 2.34.030 serve at the pleasure of the City Council. (B) If any position becomes vacant, the Mayor, City Councilman or Arts Commission, as the case may be, who appointed the former holder of such position shall appoint a member to serve the balance of the unexpired term. (Ord. No. 6832, § 3, 3-1-23; Ord. 3571 § 2, 1991: Ord. 3288 § 8, 1987)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 2.34.070 Absence from meetings.

2.34.070 - Absence from meetings. Any member who is absent from three consecutive meetings of the Arts Commission without a satisfactory excuse shall be removed from office by the City Council. (Ord. 3288 § 9, 1987)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 2.34.080 Operational rules and procedures.

2.34.080 - Operational rules and procedures. (A) The Arts Commission shall adopt operational rules and procedures for the conduct of its duties which shall be ratified by the City Council. The rules and procedures shall provide for annual election of officers, the conduct of regular and special meetings, and the appointment of subcommittees. (B) The affirmative vote of two-thirds of the entire membership of the Arts Commission shall be required to amend such operational rules and procedures, and any such amendment must be ratified by the City Council. (Ord. 3288 § 10, 1987)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 2.34.090 Operational budget.

2.34.090 - Operational budget. The Arts Commission shall prepare annually an operational budget which shall be submitted to the City Council for approval. The budget shall provide for the costs necessary for the conduct of the administrative operation of the Arts Commission, including the staffing assistance that is provided in Section 2.34.110 of this Chapter. (Ord. 3288 § 11, 1987)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 2.34.100 Administrative cost sharing—Fiscal agent.

2.34.100 - Administrative cost sharing—Fiscal agent. The City shall provide for the administrative costs for the Arts Commission and shall serve as its fiscal agent. (Ord. 3288 § 12, 1987)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 2.34.110 Staffing assistance.

2.34.110 - Staffing assistance. The City shall provide professional arts administrative staff, clerical and staff resource assistance to the Arts Commission. (Ord. 3288 § 13, 1987)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 2.34.120 Powers and duties.

2.34.120 - Powers and duties. The purpose of the Arts Commission shall be to serve as an advisory body to the City Council as follows: (A) Make recommendations with respect to the Municipal Arts Plan, with annual updating of such recommendations; (B) Advise with respect to all matters concerning the arts, including suggested legislation and the allocation of funds in support of the arts; (C) Propose methods to encourage private initiative in the fields of art; (D) Develop plans and proposals for submission to the City for the purpose of encouraging the City Council to seek State, Federal and private funds for the support of the arts; (E) Make recommendations to the City Council with respect to the establishment of and appropriations to the Arts Fund for artistic programs and projects and the granting of funds therefrom; (F) Encourage the highest possible standards in the development and presentation of artistic programs; (G) Encourage an awareness of the value of the arts to the quality of life in the City and its residents and visitors; (H) Serve as liaison between the arts community, the general public and the City Council with respect to matters concerning the arts; (I) Strengthen, support and collaborate with new and existing cultural organizations, projects and programs; (J) Consult with, support and advise arts organizations, individuals, local colleges, universities, libraries and the Clark County School District with respect to the coordination and development of the arts in the City and the arts in education; (K) Review and make recommendations with respect to the acquisition, commission or purchase by the City of works of art to be placed on public property or in public works, with the exception of works of art given to or purchased by museums, and to make recommendations with respect to the removal, relocation, upkeep, conservation and alteration of existing works of art in the possession of the City; and (L) Engage in such other activities or projects relative to the arts as may be authorized by the City Council. (Ord. 5654 § 2, 2003: Ord. 3288 § 14, 1987)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 2.34.130 Establishment of Arts Fund—Appropriations.

2.34.130 - Establishment of Arts Fund—Appropriations. (A) A special account shall be established for the purpose of receiving private, local, State and Federal funds obtained by the City for artistic purposes consistent with the function of the Arts Commission. The fund shall be known as the Arts Fund. (B) All funds received by the City or the Arts Commission for artistic programs and projects and works of art, and all funds appropriated by the City Council to the Arts Commission shall be deposited in the Arts Fund, with the exception of: (1) The Arts Commission's operational funds; (2) The budgetary appropriations made by the City to its departments for artistic services; and (3) Percent for the Arts Funds. (C) All funds deposited in the Arts Fund shall be used exclusively for the purpose or function for which they are appropriated, specified or donated. In the event that funds deposited in the Arts Fund are unspecified, the Arts Commission shall make recommendations to the City Council with respect to the use of these funds for purposes consistent with the function of the Arts Commission. (Ord. 5654 § 3, 2003: Ord. 3288 § 15, 1987)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 2.34.140 Percent for the Arts Program—Created.

2.34.140 - Percent for the Arts Program—Created. (A) There is hereby established a program for funding works of art in conjunction with City capital improvement projects, to be known as "Percent for the Arts." (B) Under the Percent for the Arts program the City Council shall appropriate not less than one percent of the City's annual capital improvements budget to the Municipal Arts Fund. (C) For the purposes of this Section, "capital improvements budget" means only those funds budgeted for transfer to capital project funds from the general fund and proceeds from the sale of bonds whose debt service is paid solely from general fund revenues. (D) In addition to the annual Percent for the Arts appropriations, the City Council may make additional annual appropriations to the Municipal Arts Fund which shall be subject to the same terms and conditions applying to expenditure of Percent for the Arts funds. (Ord. 5654 § 5, 2003)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 2.34.150 Percent for the Arts Fund—Eligibility.

2.34.150 - Percent for the Arts Fund—Eligibility. (A) Only those works of art approved by the City Council for capital improvement projects as part of the Municipal Arts Plan shall be eligible to receive expenditures from Percent for the Arts funds. (B) For the purposes of this Chapter the following are permissible works of art expenditures: (1) Artists' design services, development of design concepts and models and the selection, acquisition, installation, fabrication and exhibition of works of art; (2) Identification plaques and labels; (3) Water works, electrical and mechanical devices and equipment which are an integral part of the works of art; (4) Frames, mat and single pedestals necessary for the proper presentation of the works of art; (5) Walls, bases, pools or other architectural or landscaping elements on or in which the works of art are placed or affixed and which, in the opinion of the Arts Commission, are an integral part of and contribute to the aesthetic and structural support of the works of art; (6) Architectural or landscaping elements which themselves constitute some works of art; (7) Ongoing operating expenses or maintenance of works of art, architectural elements on or in which the works of art are placed, or sites where works of art are located; or (8) Any other expenditures as approved by the City Council in the Municipal Arts Plan. (Ord. 5654 § 6, 2003)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 2.34.160 Works of art at capital improvements projects—Display.

2.34.160 - Works of art at capital improvements projects—Display. Works of art at capital improvements projects may be placed on public display, integral or attached to a public building or structure, detached within or outside a public building or structure, or as a part of the landscape or a public park, square or other outdoor public site or lands. (Ord. 5654 § 7, 2003)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 2.34.170 Municipal Arts Plan—Submission requirements.

2.34.170 - Municipal Arts Plan—Submission requirements. (A) A Municipal Arts Plan for the next fiscal year shall be submitted by the Arts Commission not later than February each year for City Council approval, which plan shall include any: (1) Proposed works of art for capital improvements projects; (2) Proposed works of art for sites and locations not in conjunction with capital improvements projects; (3) Progress reports and completion plan regarding the design, selection, acquisition, fabrication and installation of uncompleted works or art previously approved by the City Council; and (4) Requested funding from the Arts Fund and Municipal Arts Fund, respectively, for proposed and ongoing works of art projects. (B) The Municipal Arts Plan shall be submitted to the City Council in conjunction with the City's capital project plan for the next fiscal year. (Ord. 5654 § 8, 2003)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 2.34.180 Municipal Arts Fund—Account provisions.

2.34.180 - Municipal Arts Fund—Account provisions. (A) A special account shall be established for the purpose of receiving funds appropriated by the City Council pursuant to the Percent for the Arts program. The fund shall be known as the Municipal Arts Fund. (B) All funds deposited to the Municipal Arts Funds shall be used exclusively for the purpose or function for which they are appropriated. (C) Except as otherwise provided in this Section, funds remaining in the Municipal Arts Fund at the end of each fiscal year shall carry over in such fund for the next fiscal year. (D) Funds in excess of one million dollars remaining in the Municipal Arts Fund at the end of each fiscal year that are not committed to works of art approved in the Municipal Arts Plan for that year or previous years shall revert to the City general fund. (Ord. 5654 § 9, 2003)

Las Vegas Municipal Code § 2.34.190 Arts Commission—Dissolution.

2.34.190 - Arts Commission—Dissolution. In the event of the repeal of this Chapter and the dissolution of the Arts Commission all funds remaining in the Arts Fund and Municipal Arts Fund shall revert to the City and be used for artistic purposes except as follows: (A) All remaining Percent for the Arts funds shall revert to the City general fund to be used in the discretion of the City Council. (B) Any restricted gift or donations shall be used for the purpose specified in the restriction or returned to the donor. (Ord. 5654 § 10, 2003)

Source: City of Las Vegas, Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/nv/las_vegas/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT2AD_CH2.34ARCOFetched: 10/28/2026