Untitled by TajLV
From the city government’s website:
Downtown Las Vegas’ Arts District is an eclectic mix of galleries, one-of-a-kind stores, and restaurants just a short walk or bus ride from Fremont Street. Known as “18b,” the Las Vegas Arts District is located immediately south of downtown Las Vegas in an area bounded by Commerce Street, Hoover Avenue, Fourth Street and Las Vegas Boulevard (at Charleston) and Colorado Avenue.
The name, “18b,” represents the original Arts District area, which consisted of 18 blocks. Today, the Arts District area has grown beyond those original 18 blocks and is a classic urban mix of residential, commercial and cultural uses that will continue to grow as the hub of the arts scene in Las Vegas.
On the first Friday of each month, an arts and cultural event, is held in the district. The First Friday festival draws up to 10,000 visitors into the neighborhood. This event encourages people to flock downtown to browse and buy, to eat and drink and to mingle. The event is a festive environment with food and beverage vendors and where bands perform in the streets and artists display their works. The city of Las Vegas partners with the Arts District during First Friday events. The city provides free rides on city of Las Vegas Arts Buses between all First Friday stops.
The city of Las Vegas has actively supported the growth of the neighborhood through the formation of an Arts District Neighborhood Association, the adoption of a plan for neighborhood design standards and the establishment of an Arts District Task Force to address growth issues. The city also formed and adopted a live/work ordinance, which encourages artists to work and live downtown, and supported the creation of a world-class Arts District Sculpture Park that will be located on Boulder Plaza. The city also secured a National Endowment for the Arts grant that led to the renaming of the district as “18b,” and developed a highway enhancement project to create two landmark gateways into the neighborhood.
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Whether you believe the PR or not, it really is a happening section of the city, aspiring to be our version of Greenwich Village. It’s a great venue for visitors and locals alike. Keep an eye on it in the months ahead.
over 7 years ago
