About2024-02-15T09:45:49-08:00

arts for all nevada

Arts for All Nevada is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in Reno, seeking to integrate the exploration of arts and culture into the lives of all, starting with our own community. We offer a variety of quality fine art classes to the public, implement art programs in the school systems, and steward  the historic Lake Mansion responsibly as a community center for exploration of arts and culture. While our emphasis is on those who have a disability, are disadvantaged, at-risk, or underserved by the arts, we recognize that every individual in our community has a role to play in the arts. People of all ages, skill levels, backgrounds, and experience can find their place at Arts for All Nevada, as our classes and programs focus on a variety of different art movements and media including visual art, creative movement, drama, and literary expression. We envision a world unified by the arts, where communities engage, create, and grow together.

OUR VALUES

ACCESSIBILITY

The freedom to make and appreciate art, regardless of age, ability, or circumstance, should be given to all. Arts for All Nevada prioritizes making art accessible to anyone, no matter what obstacles they might face.

EXPRESSION

Artists should have the freedom to express themselves authentically through imagination, creation, and exhibition. Art has the power to give everyone a voice, a means of self-expression, and the power to grow themselves and the world around them.

Empowerment

The arts can give individuals the opportunity to grow their skills, self-esteem, and creativity – a chance to focus on ability rather than disability. Not only do we value acceptance here at Arts for All Nevada, but we take it a step further and intentionally encourage those involved in our programs.

DIVERSITY

We understand that a complete appreciation of the arts requires a complete appreciation of diversity in histories, cultures, and experiences. Arts for All Nevada seeks diversity in our staff, board, art educators and students alike, recognizing that our art forms, expressions, and artistic interpretations are stronger when we acknowledge many perspectives.

OUR VALUES

ACCESSIBILITY

The freedom to make and appreciate art, regardless of age, ability, or circumstance, should be given to all. Arts for All Nevada prioritizes making art accessible to anyone, no matter what obstacles they might face.

EXPRESSION

Artists should have the freedom to express themselves authentically through imagination, creation, and exhibition. Art has the power to give everyone a voice, a means of self-expression, and the power to grow themselves and the world around them.

Empowerment

The arts can give individuals the opportunity to grow their skills, self-esteem, and creativity – a chance to focus on ability rather than disability. Not only do we value acceptance here at Arts for All Nevada, but we take it a step further and intentionally encourage those involved in our programs.

DIVERSITY

We understand that a complete appreciation of the arts requires a complete appreciation of diversity in histories, cultures, and experiences. Arts for All Nevada seeks diversity in our staff, board, art educators and students alike, recognizing that our art forms, expressions, and artistic interpretations are stronger when we acknowledge many perspectives.

OUR VALUES

ACCESSIBILITY

The freedom to make and appreciate art, regardless of age, ability, or circumstance, should be given to all. Arts for All Nevada prioritizes making art accessible to anyone, no matter what obstacles they might face.

EXPRESSION

Artists should have the freedom to express themselves authentically through imagination, creation, and exhibition. Art has the power to give everyone a voice, a means of self-expression, and the power to grow themselves and the world around them.

Empowerment

The arts can give individuals the opportunity to grow their skills, self-esteem, and creativity – a chance to focus on ability rather than disability. Not only do we value acceptance here at Arts for All Nevada, but we take it a step further and intentionally encourage those involved in our programs.

DIVERSITY

We understand that a complete appreciation of the arts requires a complete appreciation of diversity in histories, cultures, and experiences. Arts for All Nevada seeks diversity in our staff, board, art educators and students alike, recognizing that our art forms, expressions, and artistic interpretations are stronger when we acknowledge many perspectives.

HISTORY

Arts for All Nevada was founded in 1986 under the name of Very Special Arts Nevada. Our goal was to coordinate with the community’s art organizations to produce art festivals that involved day-long artistic activities, hands-on art experiences, and live performances. Over the years, our involvement with the community grew, and our mission expanded into preserving the historic Lake Mansion as a community center for the exploration of arts and culture. In 2015 we renamed ourselves Arts for All Nevada to better represent our core mission, and we now facilitate the integration of art and culture into the lives of all people in Nevada by offering a variety of quality fine art classes to the public, and implementing art programs into the school systems.

vision

We envision a world unified by the arts, where communities engage, create, and grow together.

We envision a world unified by the arts. Participation and appreciation of the arts would be encouraged in every community, and art would be prioritized in every individual’s daily experience and education.
Quality art learning experiences that are specifically designed for students with disabilities would be just as accessible as art learning experiences designed for those without disabilities.
Every art educator would be prepared and equipped to not only include students who have disabilities in their instruction, but to serve them well through specialized curriculum.
Accessibility gaps in the arts would be completely bridged. Thoughtful and effective art curriculums and programs would be available, funded, and initiated in every school district in every community, reaching those of all ability levels and income levels.

OUR PROGRAMS

People of all ages, skill levels, backgrounds, and experience can find their place at Arts for All Nevada, as our classes and programs focus on a variety of different art movements and media including visual art, creative movement, drama, and literary expression.
See our list of programs offered below. Many of our programs are free of charge for the participant. For questions regarding programs, call 826-6100 ext. 3#, [email protected]

American Sign Language in the Arts
Artist in Residency
Art Adventures After-School Program
Art Classes for Youth and Adults
Family Arts and Cultural Festival Series
Renown Pediatrics Program
Artown’s Summer Arts Festival, Discover the Arts Series
Creativity Camps for Kids

Early Childhood Education
Holiday Party for Youth in Transition
Kononia Family Services
Lake Mansion Preservation
Lake Mansion Tours
Little Library
Lovelock Arts Festival
Arts Education in General Education Classrooms

Monday Art Makers
Renown Behavioral Services
Renown Rehabilitation Hospital
Scholarships
Sierra Nevada Journeys
Team Up/21st Century
Weekly Wonders/Leisure without Limits

TEACHERS

Arts for All Nevada‘s Teaching Artists are professionals with expertise in one or more art disciplines. They are skilled in working with children, youth, adults and classroom teachers in both educational and recreational settings. They are familiar and comfortable working with various abilities and ages, and are experienced in adapting their instruction and techniques to reach all learners.

GET TO KNOW OUR TEACHERS

jenna ammerman

hanna avalos

carol brown

desi barrett

Read Bio2021-12-08T11:37:52-08:00

Desi studied at Truckee Meadows Community College before moving on to Portland Community College and Portland State University. She has extensive experience teaching art at a variety of schools, art museums, and community arts organizations.

cheryl johnson

lorna denton

Read Bio2021-12-08T11:38:48-08:00

Lorna has taught art for over 16 years in the USA and in England. She has worked with Arts for All Nevada since 2001 teaching all ages. In the UK, she ran a school’s Art Department, teaching 11- 16-year-old students a varied arts curriculum. Lorna strongly believes that the arts are an essential part of an individual’s development encouraging self-expression, confidence, and a sense of personal achievement. Lorna completed a Textiles Degree at West Surrey College of Art & Design in the UK, followed by a teaching certificate. She has continued her studies mainly focusing on photography and printmaking.

karen hayes

Read Bio2021-12-08T11:39:26-08:00

Karen earned an Advanced Placement Art Scholarship and received her B.A. and M.A. in the metropolitan Los Angeles area. She taught K12 through University-level Fine Arts classes. She enjoys recreational painting instruction, creating custom graphics, and especially unique projects like Trompe L’oeil murals.

Anastassia Manoussova

vivian olds

Read Bio2021-12-08T11:10:28-08:00

Vivian has a BA in Theater and a Masters in Arts in Education and holds a NV Teaching Credential. Vivian is an advocate for the arts, incorporating the arts into all curricular activities. She loves bringing painting, poetry, and storytelling into the classroom inspiring a students’ creative spirit. She was a runner-up two years in a row for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math & Science, NV Social Studies Teacher of the Year, and a Fulbright recipient, which allowed her to travel to Japan to study the education system. She is the owner of a gallery, Desert Light Arts, which is housed in a yurt in Wadsworth, NV.

galina milton

mark tyler

Read Bio2021-12-08T11:41:02-08:00

Art has always been an important interest to Mark and has been an active part of his life. Mark took classes in high school, college, and as an adult. His main focus is watercolor, but he has worked with several other mediums. Mark’s career in teaching has given him a good background and knowledge that the arts are important to children’s development. He believes our students need to be given other means of expressing themselves; art is certainly a good way, as well as a legitimate excuse for messiness.

sophie ralston

skye snyder

jason williams

STAFF

GET TO KNOW OUR STAFF AND BOARD

JACKIE CLAY

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

KAYLA LINDEMAN

PROGRAM MANAGER

eva lerud

During the school year K-12
“arts in education” coordinator

Alejandro Marin-Sarria

Communications & Community Outreach Coordinator

VOLUNTEER BOARD OF DIRECTORs

Jean Nichols, President

Joyce Thompson, Vice President

Glennis Bishop, Secretary

Daniel Maffett, Treasurer

Mara Langer

Kendall Nolan

Leah Whittler

If you are interested in joining the Arts for All Nevada Board of Directors please send a letter of inquiry to [email protected]

PARTNERS

marshall r. matley foundation
robert z. hawkins foundation
bretzlaff foundation

SUPPORT US

As a community-based organization, Arts for All Nevada depends on support from individuals, corporations, foundations, and organizations across Nevada. Our partners make it possible to provide arts opportunities to all and to preserve and maintain the historic Lake Mansion.

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