27th Annual Governor's Arts Award - Nevada Arts Council

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE IN THE ARTS
NEVADA BALLET THEATRE, LAS VEGAS
Co-founded by Nancy Houssels, the Nevada Ballet Theatre celebrates its 35th
year in 2007 as a respected regional ballet company with a commitment to
excellence, education, outreach and community service. For more than three
decades, NBT has marshaled loyalty from volunteers, financial support from
individuals to major corporations, partnerships with schools and educational
institutions, and the collective support of the entire community. The result is a
multi-million dollar arts organization with 39 dancers on contract, 20 full-time
staff members and a dance academy with a faculty of 16 teaching more than 600
students annually. Artistic Director Bruce Steivel, celebrating his 10th year with
NBT, has enriched the company repertoire with new works, while overseeing the
Academy to prepare a new generation of young people to appreciate and
participate in dance. Through its Future Dance program, NBT provides
comprehensive instruction, curricular resources and community services for
elementary and middle school students in partnership with the Clark County
Public Education Foundation. Former member of the Board of Directors and
current Member Emeritus, Elaine Wynn wrote, “I have observed first-hand the
extraordinary development of the company from the initial group of dancers from
the Strip - known as Nevada Dance Theatre - to the present group of
internationally acclaimed performers. I am proud to support one of Nevada's
most important cultural treasures.”