The Las Vegas developers have expressed the necessity of creating more spaces dedicated to arts in general, an element they think is vital to keep competing against other tourist destinations in the world. Even when Las Vegas has several art galleries and museums, the people and more important the visitors, don’t receive the appropriate information they need to find those places. Las Vegas tour operators don’t sell the idea of Las Vegas as a place to visit art museums, about 90% of the Las Vegas tourism concentrates in activities such as gambling and visiting the shows or recreational pastimes like golf, skydiving, hiking, etc. Is hard to admit, but if you ask a local resident where to go to see some art exhibitions is very likely that they don’t know the answer.

Fortunately Las Vegas is developing a new project that would help to change the visitor’s perspective of what to do while you’re in Sin City. Over $400 million have been donated to build the Smith Center for Performing Arts in downtown Las Vegas, a project that is expected to open in 2011. Besides, the Las Vegas Art Museum located in the West Sahara Library has plans to move to a new building in 2009. MGM-Mirage president and COO Jim Murren is trying to impulse arts in Las Vegas under the statement that “the city denying our children the chance to educate themselves”

"It is unconscionable today that we find it acceptable that the Las Vegas Art Museum is an addition to a public library. That is offensive. It is not acceptable that we have a sub-standard amount of cultural options here in general. That is why the performing arts center is such a critical effort that I love personally and corporately we enjoy." said MGM-Mirage president and COO Jim Murren.

Local business directors mentioned New York City as the perfect example of how the arts can help attracting more people by creating an interest in arts. Developers said the city will have more chances to compete against other important locations if Las Vegas “evolves” in areas such as conservationism and arts. They also remarked the fact that investments in arts will help the city to diversify the attractions currently offered.