Las Vegas' cultural barometer saw a meteoric rise with the ground-breaking of The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, a world-class performing arts venue on par with the great theaters of the world. The future performance home of Nevada Ballet Theatre and the Las Vegas Philharmonic, The Smith Center is being built as our city's cultural and artistic center for the next century. This magnificent facility, designed by renowned architect, David M. Schwarz, is the most historic artistic advancement in Southern Nevada in recent history.

Plans for the performing arts center include a 2,050-seat multipurpose main hall and an education building that will house a 300-seat cabaret theater with a stage facing onto Symphony Park; a 200-seat flexible studio theater for rehearsals, children's theater and community events; as well as offices and classrooms. Completion is scheduled for early 2012. www.thesmithcenter.org