The Arts District

Las Vegas is known for being the city of sin that never sleeps, but if the bright lights of the Strip are not for you, then you may enjoy the vibrant arts community hidden in the downtown area.

The community I’m talking about is the 18b Arts District, named after the initial 18 blocks the district inhabited. It is loosely bound by Commerce Street, Hoover Avenue, Fourth Street, Las Vegas Boulevard and Colorado Avenue.

Growing up I spent a lot of time around the Arts District because my grandparents’ home is just a block away. On our weekly trips to their house, I remember being glued to the window as I attempted to catch a glimpse of what was inside the eclectic shops down S Main Street or admire colorful murals that covered the buildings.

I went to my first First Friday in elementary school. I remember bobbing in and out of different artist’s tents and begging my mom for a caricature of my face, to no avail. It amazed me that there were so many artists in one place sharing their work with hundreds of people. It was that distinct sense of childhood wonder that would stick with me as the years passed by. Since then, the Arts District has grown tremendously and now I, along with other creatives, experience it through the lens of a budding artist.

If you want to get involved with the Arts District as an artist there are plenty of opportunities available to you. On their website they highlight Arts District Facebook groups where artists announce events, market their art, and feature work opportunities.

For the performing artists out there, the Vegas Theater Company, located in the Arts Square is home to the Cockroach Theater. Established by UNLV alumni, the theater gives a venue to local performers, directors, and writers to tell their stories. After a year of in-person performances being cancelled, the theater is finally reopening to the public. For an up to date list of performances check out their website.

For those who are more inclined to watch a performance, not star in one, The Majestic Repertory Theater will be celebrating the return of in-person performances by premiering a new musical written by Tony-winners Richard Oberacker and Robert Taylor called “The Sandman” on October 27, 2021. Tickets go on sale in September.

Photographers can also utilize the Arts District. Studio spaces, like Escape Artist Studios and Yellow the Photo Studio, are available to book to get the perfect shot. Escape Artist Studios offers special rates to UNLV students, CSN students, and local Las Vegas photographers.

But, at the cost of only a good walk, photographers will find ample shoot locations at the murals that cover the Arts District. The street art ranges anywhere from experimental illustrations to colorful homages of the Las Vegas Strip, but they all breathe life into the area and showcase the talent of local artists on a large scale.

If not obvious by its name, the Arts District is also full of places where artists and lovers of art can congregate and have a good time.

One of the most popular events in the Arts District is First Friday. The large arts festival happens on the first of every month and has garnered attention from the community and tourists alike. On those Friday nights you can peruse the Arts District, support hundreds of local artists, and enjoy live music for free.

First Friday migrated online to accommodate stay-at-home orders put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19, but in April of 2021 First Friday returned to its roots. An influx of art lovers made their way through the downtown area, eager to return to the community event, and the event saw great success. As more restrictions ease, First Friday has returned to full capacity.

No matter if you’re an artist or an art lover there is something for everyone in the Arts District. With unique art galleries, events like First Friday that bring the community together, and a broad collection of shops to browse, it would take several trips to truly experience it all. What I have shared with you today is only a fraction of everything that goes into the Arts District. I hope you get the chance to explore it one day.