The Night the Future of the Arts Took Shape at UNLV

A landmark gift, global vision and a room filled with those who build what comes next

By Laura Henkel / Photography by Cashman Photo

The evening opened not with spectacle, but with intention.

Nancy Uscher, dean of the UNLV College of Fine Arts, took the stage first, grounding the 21st Annual Hall of Fame Gala in both legacy and vision. Her remarks carried quiet authority, honoring the institution’s history while pointing clearly toward its future. From the outset, something felt different. This would not simply be a celebration. It would be a turning point.

Presented by Wynn Resorts, the gala brought together a remarkable constellation of artists, philanthropists, cultural leaders and advocates. It was a gathering of arts supporters in Southern Nevada, each guest contributing to a shared understanding that the creative economy is not peripheral, but central to the identity and evolution of Las Vegas.

Then the room turned toward recognition.

This year’s honorees reflected the full breadth of that vision. Hall of Fame inductees included Cindy Doumani, Mat Franco and Francisco Menéndez, honored posthumously for his enduring impact as a filmmaker and educator. Torrey Russell received the Koep Dean’s Medal for his transformative work through Broadway in the HOOD. Jonathan Karrant was recognized with the CFA Limelight Award. Denise Wunderlich received the CFA Community Impact Award for decades of dedication to arts education and advocacy. Alumni of the Year honors were awarded to Wendy Kveck and internationally acclaimed pianist and composer Iñaki Sandoval.

The program shifted, and the room followed.

Sandoval, who flew in from Hong Kong to attend the honor, delivered a performance that was both intimate and expansive, reflecting a career that spans continents and cultures. There was a brief pause before the applause, the kind that signals recognition before reaction. Later in the program, Karrant took the stage, his rich, expressive voice bringing warmth and immediacy that settled across the room. Together, their performances grounded the evening in the power of live art.

The evening’s spirit of impact was underscored during Wunderlich’s acceptance of the Community Impact Award, when the gift of 86 Steinway pianos to the UNLV School of Music by the KJS Family Foundation was acknowledged. Facilitated through her leadership, the contribution will resonate for generations, shaping both the sound and the standard of excellence for every student who plays them.

Then, a moment of pure presence.

At 93, Doumani took the stage and captured the room entirely. With wit, charm and unmistakable vitality, she shared that she had performed as recently as December. The audience responded with admiration as she reflected on her arrival in Las Vegas and her role in shaping its artistic landscape. It was not simply an anecdote. It was a reminder that artistry is not bound by age. It endures, evolves and continues to inspire across generations. In that moment, she was not only an honoree. She was a living embodiment of the city’s creative spirit.

A defining highlight of the evening was the presentation of the inaugural UNLV Fine Arts Global Impact Award to Sphere, accepted by Jennifer Koester, president and chief operating officer. Leading business operations on behalf of Executive Chairman and CEO James L. Dolan, Koester represents a new era of leadership behind one of the most ambitious cultural and technological achievements in the world.

Sphere stands at the intersection of art and technology, redefining immersive experience on a global scale. Its presence in Las Vegas reinforces the city’s position as both an entertainment capital and a global leader in artistic innovation. It is not simply a venue. It is a new language for storytelling, expanding the boundaries of how audiences see, hear and feel art.

And then, the moment that will shape what comes next.

In a unified announcement, President Chris Heavey and Uscher revealed a significant gift from Jeri and Rick Crawford. The room rose before the applause fully caught up, a collective recognition that this was not just a contribution, but a turning point.

The gift will fund the development of a state-of-the-art facility for the College of Fine Arts, to be built on the current site of Grant Hall. Envisioned as a dynamic hub for creativity, collaboration and innovation, the new facility represents a bold investment in the next generation of artists, thinkers and cultural leaders.

This contribution is part of the university’s broader master plan for a $100 million arts building, signaling a long-term commitment to expanding the role of the arts within the institution and the region.

In a personal reflection shared beyond the stage, Jeri expressed hope that the gift would inspire others to step forward, invest in the creative development of the community and recognize the arts as a driving force within it. Her words reframed philanthropy as participation, a shared responsibility to ensure that creativity continues to shape and elevate the community.

That vision is further amplified through a major pledge by Dale and Leslie Chihuly to UNLV, featuring the Fire Opal Chandelier, which will be displayed in the future UNLV Learning Center for the Arts. With the involvement of the Chihuly Studio team, the installation will serve as both a visual anchor and a defining artistic statement within the space, reinforcing the College of Fine Arts’ commitment to integrating world-class work into the daily experience of its students and community.

By the close of the evening, the energy in the room had unmistakably shifted. Conversations lingered, voices animated, ideas already in motion. Guests departed with a renewed sense of excitement and possibility, carrying with them a deeper awareness of what had just been set into motion.

Las Vegas continues to define itself as a neon metropolis, a beacon to the world where creativity, innovation and ambition converge. It is the people behind it, those who create, invest and believe in what is possible, who provide the spark and ensure that light continues to shine.