Mayor Hillary Schieve (D - Reno, NV)

2019 Honoree - Local Arts Leadership Award

Biography

Mayor Schieve believes that investing in the arts strengthens Reno’s economy, drives tourism, sparks creativity and innovation, and promotes local businesses. Through her work, she has helped brand Reno as the “#BigArtsLittleCity” and has worked to reform downtown Reno. In partnership with the Reno City Council, Mayor Schieve formed an Operation Downtown group focused on reimagining and revitalizing the downtown corridor. Most recently, she was instrumental to Reno receiving a National Endowment for the Arts grant for $30,000, awarded for a public art project in the Midtown District.
 
Mayor Schieve was also instrumental in continuing the city’s commitment of $150,000 a year to Artown. During this month-long arts and cultural festival, the city is invited to gather and celebrate Reno through the arts, with more than 500 unique events.
 
In September 2017, Mayor Schieve was selected as Chair of The United States Conference of Mayors Standing Committee on Tourism, Arts, Parks, Entertainment, and Sports (TAPES). She is the first woman to chair the TAPES committee in more than 25 years. In 2018, Mayor Schieve hosted a TAPES Committee Meeting in Reno to introduce mayors to a behind-the-scenes tour of the world-famous Burning Man visual art convergence that takes place annually in late August. Mayors toured the temporary city that is erected each year on the playa in the Black Rock Desert, showcasing how community building and art unite.
 
“I am so thrilled and honored to receive this award! I advocate to all Mayors that the arts ‘package’ a city,” said Mayor Schieve. “The arts have strengthened Reno’s economy, driven tourism, sparked creativity and innovation, and have promoted local business. I have seen this firsthand when I worked with my business partners and friends to create the Midtown District. We worked to showcase Reno’s local artists, restaurants, musicians, and small businesses which have helped make Midtown the hippest and most successful commercial district within the City of Reno. Additionally, I am truly honored to continue the City’s partnership with Burning Man, which has been essential to attracting artists to live, work, and play in our community. I am so very proud to raise the profile of Reno's incredible local arts and culture scene. We truly are #BigArtsLittleCity!”