NEVADA ARTS COUNCIL
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A huge congratulations to Mari Basaca Fuentes, Nevada’s 2026 Poetry Out Loud State Champion! 🎉✨
Mari will proudly represent Yerington High School and Nevada at the national finals in Washington, D.C., this April, taking her powerful voice to the national stage! 📖💫
In recognition of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, this year’s Poetry Out Loud program featured poems that commemorate the rich tapestry of American history and culture, making Mari’s achievement even more meaningful.
Thank you to everyone who joined us this past weekend to cheer on Nevada’s amazing students. After 21 years of Poetry Out Loud in Nevada, the future of poetry has never looked brighter. Let’s show Mari some love! 🌟
Nevada’s food traditions are as rich and diverse as its communities! 🍲 From Iftar meals to Lunar New Year dumplings, food tells the story of culture, family, and celebration across the Silver State.
✨ Read more from Folklife in Focus and explore how these flavors shape Nevada’s identity and heritage. Link in our bio.
Don’t forget to join the Nevada Arts Council on March 12, 2026, for the next FY27 Grants Road Show!
This virtual session at noon PST will focus on the Artist Fellowship Award, open this year to Visual Artists. The fellowship recognizes committed artists living in Nevada and offers valuable support for your creative work.
Get tips and guidance on applying for the Fellowship Award and explore other FY27 funding opportunities.
Learn more and join us through the link in our bio.
Relive the magic of last year’s Poetry Out Loud State Finals 🎤✨
Get excited for tomorrow’s 2026 State Finals by watching last year’s powerful performances, unforgettable moments, and students reciting their poems to life.
🗓 Saturday, March 7 | 1 to 3 p.m.
📍 University of Nevada, Reno at Joe Crowley Student Union | FREE to attend
Don’t miss Nevada’s talented students performing live!
Let us know in the comments if we’ll be seeing you there!
Rayann Hijazi is back! 🌟 This time, she’s sharing her favorite poem along with even more tips for Poetry Out Loud competitors.
🎥 Watch her Reel to see what inspires her and get ready for this Saturday’s State Finals!
Catch all Nevada students bringing their poems to life at the 2026 State Finals:
🗓 March 7 | 1–3 p.m. | Free Admission
📍 @UNevadaReno – Joe Crowley Student Union
Can’t make it in person? Watch the live stream!
Event details 👉 Link in our bio.
#TBT to last year’s Poetry Out Loud! 🎤✨
Incredible reciters, unforgettable moments, and poetry that moved us all.
Don’t miss this year’s State Finals. These students are ready to recite their poems, and we hope to see you there!
🗓 Saturday, March 7 | 1 to 3 p.m.
📍 University of Nevada, Reno at Joe Crowley Student Union | FREE to attend
Kyara Hernandez-Duarte, our 2025 Poetry Out Loud State Finalist, is sharing words of wisdom for this year’s students! From memorization tricks to what worked best for her, she’s sharing her experience to guide students to stage success. ✨
Don’t miss Nevada’s talented students at the 2026 State Finals:
🗓 Saturday, March 7 | 1–3 p.m. | Free admission
📍 @UNevadaReno – Joe Crowley Student Union
Can’t make it in person? Watch the live stream!
Event details 👉 Link in our bio.
📣 The 2026 Poetry Out Loud State Finals are this Saturday!
Nevada’s semi-finalists, each a county champion, are ready to compete for the state title and a chance to represent Nevada at the national competition in Washington, D.C.
Want to get to know these talented students before the big event? Read their bios and discover their stories, inspirations, and favorite poems through the link in our bio.
A special thank you to @UNevadaReno for sponsoring this inspiring event!
Rayann Hijazi, our 2024 Poetry Out Loud State Finalist, is sharing her top tips for this year’s competitors! 🌟
Don’t miss Nevada’s talented students at the 2026 State Finals:
🗓 Saturday, March 7 | 1–3 p.m. | Free admission
📍 @UNevadaReno – Joe Crowley Student Union
Can’t make it in person? Watch the live stream!
Event details 👉 Link in our bio.
Open registration for Intersections: The Nevada Creative Conference is here. 🎉
Join Nevada’s arts community May 27–29, 2026, in Las Vegas for three days of inspiration, discovery and celebration. Explore targeted session tracks designed to elevate your creative practice or strengthen your arts organization while experiencing the dynamic arts scene of Las Vegas and surrounding communities.
Connect with arts leaders from across the state. Share ideas. Discover what’s working and what’s next.
Be part of the conversation shaping the future of arts in Nevada. Will we see you there?
Get your tickets and learn more through the link in our bio.
Meet the voices behind the scores! 🎤✨
A huge thank you to our incredible Poetry Out Loud judges and officials:
Patrick Collins
Rayann Hijazi (Prompter)
Arian Katsimbras (@Arian_katsimbras)
Elisa Garcia (@seemedisco)
Jesse James Ziegler (@sidewayseightprojects)
Joshua Webster
Your expertise and passion help make this event truly inspiring.
Come see them in action this Saturday at the 2026 State Finals. Nevada’s talented students are ready to recite their poems!
🗓 Saturday, March 7 | 1 to 3 p.m.
📍 University of Nevada, Reno at the Joe Crowley Student Union | FREE to attend
A special thank you to @UNevadaReno for sponsoring this inspiring event!
Can’t make it in person? Watch the State Finals live from anywhere!
👉 Learn more through the link in our bio.
The FY27 Nevada Heritage Fellowship application just opened! 🌟It’s time to shine a light on the tradition bearers who keep our communities’ culture vibrant. If you know an artist whose work preserves and celebrates our heritage, let them know about this $5,000 award.
Deadline: May 1, 2026, 5 p.m. PST
Learn more, check the guidelines, and apply through the link in our bio.
RECENT NEWS
RELEASE: Mari Basaca Fuentes Named 2026 Nevada Poetry Out Loud Champion
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, March 10, 2026 She Advances to National Competition in Washington, D.C. RENO, Nevada (March 10, 2026) – Representing Lyon County, Mari Basaca Fuentes is the Nevada […]
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FOLKLIFE IN FOCUS – Cultural Foodways in Nevada
Welcome to the Follow the Folklorist blog! Founded by Rebecca Snetlesaar and currently led by Nevada State Folklorist Brad McMullen, our blog is dedicated to exploring the rich tapestry of […]
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BUY AN ARTS LICENSE PLATE
supporting k-12 arts learning
Nevada’s first Arts License Plate is available at DMV field offices statewide. The plate, designated by DMV as the “Children in the Arts” license plate, is available in a standard or personalized format. If you are interested in a standard format, the initial cost will be $51 dollars with an annual renewal fee of $20 in addition to all other registration fees.
NEVADA ARTS COUNCIL VIDEOS
sharing Nevada stories on art and heritage
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