Americans for the Arts and The United States Conference of Mayors today awarded Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve the 2019 National Award for Local Arts Leadership for cities with a population of 100,000 or more.

 

Mayor Schieve believes that investing in the arts strengthens Reno’s economy, drives tourism, sparks creativity and innovation, and promotes local businesses. Through her work, she has helped brand Reno as the “#BigArtsLittleCity” and has worked to reform downtown Reno. In partnership with the Reno City Council, Mayor Schieve formed an Operation Downtown group focused on reimagining and revitalizing the downtown corridor. Most recently, she was instrumental to Reno receiving a National Endowment for the Arts grant for $30,000, awarded for a public art project in the Midtown District.

 

Mayor Schieve was also instrumental in continuing the city’s commitment of $150,000 a year to Artown. During this month-long arts and cultural festival, the city is invited to gather and celebrate Reno through the arts, with more than 500 unique events.

 

In September 2017, Mayor Schieve was selected as Chair of The United States Conference of Mayors Standing Committee on Tourism, Arts, Parks, Entertainment, and Sports (TAPES). She is the first woman to chair the TAPES committee in more than 25 years. In 2018, Mayor Schieve hosted a TAPES Committee Meeting in Reno to introduce mayors to a behind-the-scenes tour of the world-famous Burning Man visual art convergence that takes place annually in late August. Mayors toured the temporary city that is erected each year on the playa in the Black Rock Desert, showcasing how community building and art unite.

 

“I am so thrilled and honored to receive this award! I advocate to all Mayors that the arts ‘package’ a city,” said Mayor Schieve. “The arts have strengthened Reno’s economy, driven tourism, sparked creativity and innovation, and have promoted local business. I have seen this firsthand when I worked with my business partners and friends to create the Midtown District. We worked to showcase Reno’s local artists, restaurants, musicians, and small businesses which have helped make Midtown the hippest and most successful commercial district within the City of Reno. Additionally, I am truly honored to continue the City’s partnership with Burning Man, which has been essential to attracting artists to live, work, and play in our community. I am so very proud to raise the profile of Reno's incredible local arts and culture scene. We truly are #BigArtsLittleCity!” 

 

Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts, commented, “Mayor Schieve has helped create a place that elevates the quality of life for citizens and visitors. It’s clear that she understands the importance of using the arts to help enhance the quality of life for Reno residents, while at the same time harnessing the economic potential of investment in culture. I applaud her for her leadership worthy of this recognition.” 

 

“Every year, The U.S. Conference of Mayors recognizes the exemplary efforts of mayors who believe as much as we do that the arts are an integral part our society,” remarked Tom Cochran, CEO and Executive Director of The U.S. Conference of Mayors. “Mayors understand the connection between arts and business, and the significant contribution the arts make to the local economy.”

 

Americans for the Arts and The United States Conference of Mayors presented their 2019 Public Arts Leadership Awards at the mayors’ Winter Meeting in Washington, DC. Utah Governor Gary Herbert received the National Award for State Arts Leadership; Bloomington, Indiana Mayor John Hamilton received the National Award for Local Arts Leadership for cities with a population of fewer than 100,000; and artists Michael L. Bivens, Jonathan Green, and Kate Raudenbush received the Citizen Artist Award.

 

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Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education in America. With offices in Washington, D.C. and New York City, it has a record of more than 55 years of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.

 

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