The Smith Center for the Performing Arts is named in honor of Fred W. and Mary B. Smith. Mr. Smith is the chairman of the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, which on October 26, 2007, announced a $100 million challenge gift to support construction for The Smith Center. This gift is the largest philanthropic donation in state history, surpassing the Foundation’s initial gift to The Smith Center of $50 million in 2005. The two gifts combined comprise the second largest gift to the performing arts in the United States. The Smith Center for the Performing Arts is being funded by a public/private partnership that includes a special rental car tax, which is expected to bond for at least $100 million. The Las Vegas Performing Arts Center Foundation is raising the balance of the funds needed for construction of the cultural campus from private, corporate, foundation and government contributions. As planned, the Performing Arts Center will be the largest arts project in our state’s history.

The Smith Center for the Performing Arts is envisioned as a world-class venue that will be a living room for the community; a place that will educate, entertain and excite the citizens of our great community.