Community Development
Community Arts Development (CAD) supports Nevada’s nonprofit arts and culture organizations, municipalities, public institutions, and communities with a variety of programs and services aimed to build vibrant communities statewide. CAD works to:
- Elevate the arts and culture infrastructure statewide
- Expand the skill set of Nevada’s creative community
- Cultivate organizational capacity
- Facilitate professional networking and relationship building within and between communities
- Increase access to the arts
CAD staff is committed to assisting communities and community arts organizations. The work of this program includes implementation of community cultural assessments, developing strategic plans, providing links to new resources, and arranging for peer to peer networking opportunities to assist with the challenges of working toward long term sustainability.
PROGRAMS & SERVICES
STRATEGIC PLANNING ASSESSMENT PROGRAM
The Community Arts Development Program area supports cultural organizations, statewide partnerships, and provides resources to creative communities across Nevada. The Nevada Arts Council is committed to elevating the cultural landscape of Nevada by introducing strategic organizational assessments, designed to support the specific needs of cultural organizations.
The CAD Strategic Planning Assessments is a free service designed based on the needs of the organization. These assessments may involve an evaluation of organizational governance structure, risk management, and other operational systems. It may also include technical assistance, program support, and resources to enhance skills, knowledge, and overall infrastructure of the organization and its personnel. The Community Arts Development team will recommend and support organizations towards applying for grant opportunities as available and relevant.
Nevada Basin to Range Exchange (BRX)
The Nevada Basin to Range Exchange (BRX) supports, promotes, and celebrates rural-metropolitan collaboration through the arts, culture, and community. This unique professional development opportunity allows participants share their challenges, successes, and ideas towards the betterment of community and economic development. The synergy between peers and participants who gather, is irreplaceable. Join us for an in-person or virtual gathering!
Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6)
The Nevada Arts Council, in partnership with Americans for the Arts launched the Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6), the sixth national study of the economic impact of the nonprofit arts and culture industry. Building on its 25-year legacy, the highly regarded Arts & Economic Prosperity® series aims to document in unprecedented scope and detail the economic power that the arts and culture wield in 395 participating communities representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia—communities ranging in geography (Alaska to Florida to Maine to Hawaii), population (1,400 to 4.7 million), and population density (rural to large metropolitan). AEP6 results coming in Fall 2024. AEP7 will begin in 2028.
pROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERIES
The professional development series offers webinars with guest experts in various topics that help to elevate and expand the skill set of Nevada`s arts and cultural nonprofit organizations. The webinars are offered via Zoom and are also available on our YouTube channel for a two-year timeframe.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
CAD staff assists communities and community arts organizations with board development, strategic planning, recommending new resources, and arranging statewide workshops and networking opportunities towards local community and economic development.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
PROJECT GRANT FOR ORGANIZATIONS
The Project Grant for Organizations (PGO) supports arts and cultural activities of organizations and public institutions. Funds may be used to support the execution of our arts and culture project or a series of related activities. Open to nonprofit organizations and public institutions. This is an Annual Grant Cycle.
FY26 Project Grant for Organizations to support projects between July 2025 and June 2026. Applications are closed.
OPERATING SUPPORT GRANT
The Operational Support Grant (OSG) provides funding to strengthen Nevada’s arts infrastructure by supporting general operations of nonprofit arts organizations statewide. Only open to nonprofit organizations and funding based on annual revenue. Grants open every other year for a two-year cycle.
FY26/27 Operational Support Grant provided funding from July 2025 to June 2027. Applications are closed.
Staff
- Community Arts Development Specialist (Northern Nevada), Lauren Frick
- Community Arts Development Specialist (Southern Nevada), Michelle Patrick
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Resources
- Step by Step to a Nonprofit
- How to Incorporate in the State of Nevada
- Unique Entity ID (UEI) Q&A from GSA.gov
- National Council of Nonprofits
- Americans for the Arts
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