First Friday festival group going nonprofit
The First Friday art, music and culture festival is going nonprofit, as First Friday Las Vegas LLC is donating its assets, intellectual property and $100,000 to the First Friday Foundation and its newly revamped 17-member board.
The popular monthly event that was underwritten by investors led by Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh and his downtown friends is transitioning to be run by the foundation’s newly expanded board, which includes a variety of members to reflect valleywide interests, said Joey Vanas, First Friday Foundation executive director.
Board members are Cindy Funkhouser, original First Friday founder; Nancy Higgins, original First Friday board member; Jocelyn Bluitt-Fisher, Clark County director of Community Partnerships and Engagement; Gina Gavan, North Las Vegas director of economic and business development; Kerry Clasby, proprietor of Downtown 3rd and Downtown Summerlin Farmer’s Markets; Leslie Bocskor, chairman of Figment Project; Maria Jose Gatti, MGM Resorts International executive director of corporate philanthropy and community engagement.
Also, Council Member Bob Coffin; Justin Weniger, partner of Wendoh Media; Jason Smith, director of Best Buddies Nevada; Jonathan Kermani, owner of Art Square; Lauren Westerfield, Red Rock Resort marketing director; Michael Cornthwaite, proprietor of Emergency Arts and The Beat; Marlene Reid, proprietor of Unhinged Etc. Art Boutique, vice president of 18b Arts District Board; Chris Fahlman, First Friday director of operations; Julie Murray, owner of Moonridge Group; and Justin Lepper, co-founder of EDEN Art Studio and Gallery.
The move allows the First Friday event to be eligible for more funding sources and to work with more nonprofit organizations, Vanas said.
“It’s putting it back in the hands of the community-at-large,” Vanas said Monday.
Contact reporter Alan Snel at asnel@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5273. Find him on Twitter: @BicycleManSnel
