Museums are vital institutions where education, inspiration, history and creativity are defined and displayed for all to see. They have the power to change the way we see and understand our world, and in the importance of close observation and challenging preconceived notions. For a university campus, a well-developed museum can be a critical player in not only unifying its own campus base but also in building and maintaining strong relationships with its surrounding community, including the public schools, residents and visitors, by giving them access to the type of education resources only a university can offer. This is especially true in the resort-dominated city of Las Vegas, where there are relatively few cultural opportunities available to the general public. Adding to this bleak outlook, the closing of Las Vegas’ sole public art museum means the city has taken a giant step backward in terms of cultural engagement. Yet, both the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National Governors Association agree that cultural assets such as museums are essential to attracting businesses, a skilled workforce, and local, regional, and international tourism.
UNLV is often viewed as the Mojave Desert’s intellectual oasis. As such, the University has an obligation to extend its educational and scholarly programs to the Las Vegas community and beyond. A strong university museum – a place of informal learning open to both students and the general public – serves this purpose well, providing a place of enjoyment and education for all segments of the Las Vegas population, surrounding communities and visitors.
