The Smith Center for the Performing Arts will host a community conversation on the arts with Michael M. Kaiser, president of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, at the Historic Fifth Street School on May 14 from 8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. The event is part of a national tour to address challenges faced by nonprofit performing arts institutions, Arts in Crisis: A Kennedy Center Initiative. The initiative launched in February 2009, and the Kennedy Center is now in the process of visiting all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia to provide free and confidential planning assistance on how to maintain a vibrant performing arts center in a troubled economy.

“The Kennedy Center’s Arts in Crisis provides hands-on training that will enable struggling arts organizations to emerge from the economic downturn stronger than ever,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.  “I know that the arts in Nevada will benefit from the Kennedy Center’s expert advice and I look forward to Mr. Kaiser’s visit to my state.”

Although The Smith Center is not expected to open until spring 2012, the organization is already working hard to positively impact the Las Vegas arts community. For the third consecutive year, The Smith Center is collaborating with the Kennedy Center Partners in Education program, the Clark County School District and the Clark County Cultural Division to bring artists from around the country into Clark County classrooms, where they provide K-12 students and teachers with performances, teaching demonstrations and staff development workshops.

Arts in Crisis is funded by Helen Lee Henderson and Adrienne Arsht. For more information, visit artsincrisis.org, or RSVP to attend the conversation with Michael M. Kaiser via e-mail to SmithCenterEvents@kirvindoak.com. For more information please visit The Smith Center for the Performing Arts. The conversation will take place on Friday, May 14, 2010 from 8:30 a.m. through 11:00 a.m. at the Historic Fifth Street School.

Photograph of Michael M. Kaiser, President of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts by Ilan Mizrahi