MAKING LAS VEGAS A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE

Local artists land jobs thanks to First Friday

By Beth Fisher

CREATED Dec. 7, 2012

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  • It's the biggest free cultural event in Southern Nevada continues to grow. Video by ktnv.com

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Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- It is the biggest free cultural event in Southern Nevada and now, First Friday is growing. The music and art festival takes place the first Friday of the month in downtown Las Vegas and a new  foundation  is working to match local artists with jobs.  

Their first success story?  Marquee Nightclub inside the Cosmopolitan reached out to the foundation looking for local artists to create a Halloween display.  Artist Anthony Bondi created the Tin Man.  "So here I am with access to Marquee who didn't know me as far as I know. The skills have been there. I've been there. But they didn't know about it. But when they reached the First Friday Foundation the connection was made. It's tremendous."

The foundation's supporters say local venues have long been outsourcing their art.  They hope to get our community to consider local talent for future projects.
 
Charles Ressler with the First Friday Foundation says when local artists thrive, it's a game changer.  "The other major thing for Las Vegas is that the pendulum swing for the real estate market here is ginormous because the first thing to go in economic bad times is gaming. So when you start building these arts communities that are supporting themselves especially in the economic bad times, it starts to change that swing so that Las Vegas can actually be sustainable through any economy." 
 
Marquee nightclub is now working with the foundation to create a holiday atmosphere complete with giant snowflakes of art. Right now if you donate to the First Friday Foundation, an anonymous donor will match your generosity dollar for dollar.  Just click here for donation information.