Specialties
Looking for a child's art birthday location? How about for your own special event or meeting venue? Interested in expanding your or your child's creativity? You have find Arts for All Nevada, formerly VSA arts of Nevada.
As a non-profit organization, Arts for All Nevada provides quality arts opportunities for over 15,000 people each year in numerous settings throughout the state. This includes over 1,000 art workshops in special education and general education classrooms, in nursing homes, low income housing units, residential facilities, and hospitals.
We also provide quality arts opportunities that are affordable and open-to-the-public for children and adults at the Lake Mansion in Reno, at Alf Sorensen Community Center in Sparks and after-school programs at several public schools in the Reno/Sparks area. All are instructed by experienced Arts for All Nevada teaching artists. Classes include for kids: art camps, clay, drawing, painting, acting and more. For adults, experience the original and best Paint & Sips, multi-media explorations, clay and more!
Arts for All Nevada administrative offices and several programs are located at the historic Lake Mansion in Reno. The mansion and adjacent Garden Pavilion are available to rent for your wedding, meeting or special event and assists the non-profit in maintaining this historic facility.
History
Established in 1986.
As a non-profit organization, Arts for All Nevada (AFAN), formerly Very Special Arts NV/VSA arts of NV, is a member of the international network of VSA, an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. AFAN was founded in 1986 and since that time has grown to be one of the most successful arts organizations in the affiliate network and in the state.
In 1996, the non-profit moved into the Lake Mansion built in 1877 and listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. AFAN owns and operates the Lake Mansion. To prevent its demolition, the Lake Mansion was moved in 1971 and again in 2004 and now highlights Arts for All Nevada's "Art Access Gallery", a historic main floor, the "Arts Happens Here" art studio, and AFAN administrative offices. In 2008, an adjacent Garden Pavilion was constructed for additional programming and to rent for YOUR public special event including weddings, parties and meetings.
Donations to the non-profit are tax deductible.
Meet the Business Owner: Mary Ellen H.
A three person staff runs the nonprofit organization. Experienced visual and performing art instructors are hired to conduct over 3,000 art workshops each year. Volunteers assist throughout the year with administrative, clerical and hands-on assistance. Arts for All Nevada is governed by a volunteer board of directors.