NAA will present its Arts Advocacy Award to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and its Arts Legacy Award to Regent Raymond Rawson. "Nevada Arts Advocates is proud to present its prestigious awards to two distinguished honorees: Sen. Harry Reid and Regent Raymond Rawson," says Patrick Clary, president of Nevada Arts Advocates. "Sen. Reid fought to increase arts funding on the national and local levels and Regent Rawson was instrumental in advancing arts issues through the Nevada Legislative Arts Caucus. We strongly urge arts advocates to attend the gala and invite their legislators," adds Clary. Earlier this year, Reid successfully fought to increase funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and ensured that the 2009 Economic Recovery Package included $50 million for the NEA. He also prevented museums and cultural organizations from being excluded from stimulus funding; directed federal appropriations to Nevada arts and cultural facilities, including more than $400,000 to the Smith Center for the Performing Arts for its K-12 Arts Education Program and hosted grant workshops to educate Nevadans about arts funding opportunities.

Rawson, a former State Senator from 1984 to 2004, who was recently appointed to the Board of Regents by Gov. Jim Gibbons, is being recognized for his extraordinary support of the arts during his tenure in the Senate. As vice chair of the Legislative Arts Caucus, he was diligent in advancing arts issues. In 2003, he played a decisive role in exempting a 10 percent entertainment tax from nonprofit cultural events.


NAA Honors Sen. Reid and Regent Rawson
Since 1999, the NAA board has selected a company or individual statewide for its Advocacy Award who has given longstanding support to the arts and demonstrated a commitment to the mission of the NAA - expanding and enhancing access to arts opportunities through public awareness, advocacy and outreach. Past honorees include Sen. Richard H. Bryan, Mayor Oscar Goodman, Julie Gilday-Shaffer/R&R Live, KNPR Public Radio, Nevada Arts Council, State Sen. William Raggio, Reno Gazette Journal, Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada, Sprint, Toni Tennille, State Sen. Dina Titus and Wells Fargo Bank.

Tickets for the event are $100 per person. For details, sponsorship opportunities or to donate a silent auction item, call 702-362-8885.

About Nevada Arts Advocates
Nevada Arts Advocates was founded in 1977 as a nonprofit 501c-3 statewide organization to encourage Nevadans to participate in and enjoy the arts through public awareness, advocacy and outreach. The organization develops and supports cultural and educational activities to sustain funding and foster appreciation of the arts. Some programs include the establishment of a Legislative Arts Caucus, Arts Day at the Nevada Legislature, arts awareness luncheons, a scholarship program for graduating high school seniors and grant program for teachers to attend arts conferences.

NAA is a member of the national organizations State Arts Action Network (SAAN) and Americans for the Arts. For information call (702)362-8885.