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Once known as the entertainment capital of the nation, Reno hosted now-legendary singers, dancers, and comedians, who performed to sold-out showrooms in casinos lining the banks of the Truckee River. But by 1995?after a solid run as one of the most dynamic playgrounds in the West-Reno showed all the wear of changing times and changing tastes. Downtown?s Truckee River corridor lost its glamorous glitter, and locals sought all the comforts of suburbia.
In 1996, a small group of business and arts executives in CITY 2000
(City of Reno Arts and Culture Commission) developed a plan to use the
arts to improve the city's self-image and give locals a reason to play
downtown again. The idea was to highlight the community's cultural
depth, ignite civic pride, and channel the economic and cultural rebirth
of our city. Later that year, over three weeks in July, the first Uptown
Downtown Artown festival took place. And to the wonder of all, more than
30,000 people attended.
In the years since, Artown has grown into what the National Endowment for the Arts calls one of the most comprehensive festivals in the country, with more than 100 organizations and businesses offering about 350 visual, performing, and humanities events in about 100 locations citywide, during the entire month of July. Approximately 350,000 people experience the festival annually.
Artown has welcomed such international, national, and local artists as
Mikhail Baryshnikov, Marcel Marceau, Great Basin Chautauqua, Project
Bandaloop, the San Francisco Ballet, and the Reno Philharmonic. We have
also created unique events, including Discover the Arts, a hands-on arts
program especially for children; and Movies in the Park, an outdoor
screening of classic and cutting-edge films. In 2003, our newly opened
Nevada Museum of Art featured the Frida Kahlo/Diego Rivera exhibition.
During Artown workshops are available to the community to explore new
perspectives of visiting artists. |
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