A Tale of Two Goodmans

Arts, Culture and an Enduring Legacy in Las Vegas

BY LAURA HENKEL

Beginnings and Influences

Carolyn Goodman was born in New York City in 1939, a city renowned for its vibrant arts and cultural scene. Growing up amidst such rich cultural surroundings significantly shaped her early appreciation for the arts. She had immediate access to world-class art, music, theater, ballet and museums, which fostered her love for culture from a young age. She attended the prestigious Brearley School, further nurturing her cultural awareness and passion for the arts. Carolyn later earned a degree in anthropology from Bryn Mawr College, where she met her future husband, Oscar Goodman.

Oscar, also born in 1939, was raised in Philadelphia, another city with a deep cultural heritage. Philadelphia’s rich history and vibrant cultural scene, including its renowned art museums, historical landmarks, music venues and theaters, influenced his perspective and appreciation for the arts. He graduated from Haverford College and earned his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

Carolyn and Oscar’s union, two individuals deeply rooted in culturally rich environments, set the stage for their future contributions to the arts and culture in Las Vegas. Their shared passion for the arts and diverse educational backgrounds would later influence their visionary leadership in transforming Las Vegas into a cultural hub.

Moving to Las Vegas

In 1964, Carolyn and Oscar moved to Las Vegas, a city in its early stages of development with a population of only around 100,000 people. While Las Vegas was already renowned as the world’s entertainment capital, it was still in its infancy regarding local arts and culture. Recognizing this potential, the Goodmans were determined to make a difference.

Carolyn, driven by her passion for education and community development, initially worked in the hotel industry upon moving to Las Vegas. She then became a vocational counselor for the West Las Vegas Department of Labor, focusing on building employment opportunities for African Americans in a segregated city. During this time, she also raised their four young children and pursued a master’s degree in counseling from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

In 1984, Carolyn founded The Meadows School, Nevada’s first nonprofit college preparatory school. She managed the school’s day-to-day operations, curricular development, budget, hiring and fundraising for 26 years without taking a salary. This institution quickly became a beacon of high-quality education, nurturing the minds of the city’s youth and laying a foundation for a more culturally enriched future. Reflecting on their journey, Carolyn often remarked on the stark contrast between New York and Philadelphia’s vibrant, established cultural scenes and the nascent, evolving landscape of Las Vegas. “We saw a city with so much potential, yet it lacked the cultural infrastructure we were accustomed to. The Meadows School was our way of planting the seeds of cultural growth,” she once said.

The school’s success provided educational excellence and inspired a broader cultural awakening within the community, marking the beginning of a new era for Las Vegas. Carolyn’s efforts in education and community service were complemented by Oscar’s work in the legal field and later his contributions as mayor, setting the stage for their combined legacy of transforming Las Vegas into a cultural hub.

Oscar’s Mayoral Tenure: Setting the Foundation and Advancing Arts & Culture

Oscar’s tenure as the mayor of Las Vegas from 1999 to 2011 was marked by significant urban and cultural transformations. One of Oscar’s major contributions was the establishment of the Las Vegas Arts District, transforming a neglected area into a bustling hub for artists and cultural events. This district quickly became a focal point for the city’s burgeoning arts culture, attracting local artists and international visitors. Additionally, he introduced the Percent for the Arts ordinance, allocating a portion of public project funds to art installations, ensuring that public art became an integral part of the city’s landscape.

Oscar’s vision for urban design excellence was further promoted through the Mayor’s Urban Design Awards (MUDAs), established in 2006 to recognize projects that enhanced the city’s aesthetic and functional aspects. His strategic land swap with Lehman Brothers led to the development of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, enriching the cultural fabric of Las Vegas.

During his tenure, Oscar also focused on revitalizing the Historic Westside, a historically significant area of Las Vegas with deep roots in segregation and cultural richness. The area was the only place where African Americans were allowed to live and own property due to discriminatory practices until the 1960s. Oscar’s administration laid the groundwork for initiatives like the HUNDRED Plan, a comprehensive public-private effort to address issues such as affordable housing, economic development and community engagement. This plan seeks to honor and preserve the Westside’s rich history while creating a sustainable and livable community for all residents.

The Historic Westside Legacy Park, a project realized in partnership with Clark County, pays tribute to the many trailblazers who have led the community through the years. This park, which includes the stories of 36 community leaders, is an inviting gathering place and an educational site celebrating the achievements and history of the Westside’s residents.

Oscar’s efforts diversified the local economy and positioned Las Vegas as a city where arts and culture thrive alongside entertainment and hospitality. His tenure set the stage for future growth. It established a legacy of integrating arts into the city’s core, ensuring that Las Vegas would be known for its casinos, nightlife and commitment to cultural enrichment.

Carolyn’s Mayoral Tenure: Building on Foundations and Championing Cultural Growth

When Carolyn took office in 2011, she inherited a city that had already seen substantial growth under her husband’s leadership. Determined to build upon this foundation, Carolyn aimed to further integrate arts and culture into the fabric of Las Vegas. Her tenure, which concludes in 2024, has been characterized by a deep commitment to downtown revitalization and cultural enhancement.

One of Carolyn’s significant contributions has been championing The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, a project initiated during Oscar’s tenure but brought to fruition under hers. This center has become a cornerstone of Symphony Park, providing a world-class venue for performing arts and significantly boosting the cultural profile of Las Vegas. It has hosted numerous performances ranging from Broadway shows to symphony orchestras, attracting locals and tourists.

Carolyn’s vision for a more aesthetically pleasing downtown led to numerous beautification projects. These included the installation of neon signs, landscaping and improved streetscapes, making downtown Las Vegas more attractive and pedestrian-friendly. Her administration’s efforts transformed Main Street and Fremont Street, enhancing their appeal and encouraging more foot traffic. These improvements were not just cosmetic but aimed at creating a more inviting environment that would draw people to the heart of the city.

Under Carolyn’s leadership, the Las Vegas Arts District saw significant expansion. Infrastructure improvements and the influx of new businesses revitalized the area, transforming it into a vibrant cultural hub. Carolyn acknowledges that developing a thriving arts district is a real estate endeavor. It requires the support of real estate developers who can keep rents affordable for artists, enabling them to create and prosper while preserving the district’s artistic integrity. She knows champions who drive this development forward will emerge, recognizing that collaboration between the public and private sectors is essential. “We need champions. It will happen in time,” she says. Reflecting on the district’s transformation over the past decade, Carolyn notes that it was once considered “a diamond in the rough,” but has now become a sought-after destination, showcasing the power of strategic development and community engagement.

Carolyn continued to promote public art installations, a passion she shared with Oscar. His arts and culture initiatives, like the MUDAs, remained a focal point of her administration, encouraging innovative urban design and celebrating projects that enhanced the city’s aesthetic and functional aspects. These efforts ensured that art remained a visible and integral part of the city’s identity. Throughout her tenure, she has showcased local artists in her offices and exhibited their work throughout City Hall. “It is wonderful when someone from another city or another country enjoys the art that changes often and is so exquisite. It is even better when someone wants to buy it. We don’t sell the art, but we give the artist’s contact information so they may deal directly with the artist.” Not once but twice, she has championed the donation of land at Symphony Park to create an art museum to be built. Again, as she peers through the windows of her office as the new Civic Plaza is being built, she states, “This is a magnificent city. As we continue to provide the resources of education, the betterment of our community will always continue to reach new heights, provide more opportunities and reflect our community’s souls. That is the beauty of art, culture and education.”

Carolyn’s tenure as mayor has been distinguished by her remarkable success in infrastructure and beautification projects and her resilience and leadership through challenging times. Her time in office was characterized by a deep commitment to enhancing the cultural landscape of Las Vegas, but her personal strength and perseverance also defined it. Her dedication to her role never wavered, even as she battled cancer. Her resilience during this period was nothing short of inspiring. Despite undergoing treatments, she continued to push forward with her vision for Las Vegas, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to her duties as mayor. She was a beast when fighting the illness with grace, humor, kindness and empathy, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic presented unprecedented challenges for leaders worldwide, and Carolyn was no exception. She faced the enormous task of navigating Las Vegas through this crisis, balancing public health concerns with the economic realities of a city heavily dependent on tourism and entertainment. She took on the immense responsibility and weight of the city’s challenges, providing a beacon of hope and light when all seemed lost. Her leadership during this difficult period showcased her unwavering dedication to her city and its people, reinforcing her legacy as a resilient and committed leader.

Under Carolyn’s leadership, the community’s resilience was evident. Initiatives to support local businesses, provide resources for those affected by the pandemic and maintain the city’s cultural vibrancy were crucial during this time. Her administration’s efforts ensured that Las Vegas survived the pandemic and retained its spirit and cultural dynamism. Carolyn’s incredible journey as mayor has been defined by her strength, vision and unwavering dedication to the city of Las Vegas. She adores the diverse cultures that make Las Vegas so incredibly rich as a community and is by far Las Vegas’ greatest advocate and instrument to inspire others to succeed. Las Vegas is filled with opportunity. You just need the vision, the passion (and the funding) to succeed. As she put it, “Start small. Let it bloom. Allow it to grow. Build upon that success.”

An Enduring Impact: The Goodmans’ Cultural Transformation of Las Vegas

The cultural transformation of Las Vegas under Carolyn and Oscar’s leadership is undeniable. When Carolyn took office, she built upon Oscar’s foundation with a clear vision for expanding the city’s arts and cultural landscape. Her leadership saw the completion of major beautification projects and the revitalization of the Arts District. Through partnerships with real estate developers and the public-private sector, she encouraged collaboration to make the district affordable and accessible for artists, ensuring it would remain a true cultural hub.

Carolyn’s commitment to community engagement was evident through her support for public art installations, promotion of local artists and continued push to integrate the arts into education. The city flourished under her watch, drawing tourists and locals into a vibrant, ever-growing cultural scene. Her dedication ensured that Las Vegas became a destination for more than just entertainment—it became a beacon of arts, culture and opportunity.

Together, Carolyn and Oscar shaped a legacy that will endure for generations. Their vision transformed Las Vegas into a thriving center for the arts and created a cultural heartbeat that will inspire dreamers and creators for years to come.