On the Upside: New license plate to benefit arts education

Nevadans with a passion for the arts can now wear their heart on their bumper, thanks to the new arts license plate available from the Department of Motor Vehicles.

The design by a Nevada student features two coyotes and a cactus rendered in primary colors and the words "Rich in Art." For each plate issued, $15 of the initial fee and $10 of the renewal fee will go to the Nevada Arts Council and VSA arts of Nevada (formerly Very Special Arts Nevada), a statewide nonprofit organization, to help finance arts education for children in Nevada.

"This is a wonderful way to promote the arts while you're out living your life," said Laura Rawlings, coordinator of the Arts in Education Program at the Nevada Arts Council. "Your bumper reflects your own interest in the arts, while it generates support for arts education in the schools. Similar programs in other states have translated into substantial dollar figures."

The finished arts license plate is the culmination of a process set off four years ago when Assemblywoman Vonne Chowning of North Las Vegas introduced a bill calling for a special plate to benefit arts education for children.

The Arts Council and VSA designed a statewide competition that drew 805 entries from students in fourth- to eighth-grade. Beth Finta, a fifth-grader from Harvey Dondero Elementary School in Las Vegas, submitted the winning design.

VSA arts of Nevada is dedicated to artistic excellence and providing life-long learning opportunities within the arts to schools, nursing homes, hospitals and numerous community and rehabilitation settings. For more information on VSA arts of Nevada contact Mary Ellen Horan at 775-826-6100, e-mail vsanevada@juno.com or visit their

Web site at nv.vsarts.org.

The Nevada Arts Council is part of the Nevada Department of Museums, Library and Arts, which also includes the Division of Museums and History, the Office of Historic Preservation and the State Library and Archives.

DMLA serves Nevada's citizens and visitors through cultural and information management, preservation and promotion of cultural resources, and education.

Other key components of the department are the Comstock Historic District Commission, the Literacy Coalition, the Advisory Committee on Participatory Democracy and the Commission for Cultural Affairs. More information is on the Web at http://dmla.clan.lib.nv.us.

For details on how to order a "Rich in Art" license plate, contact the Special License Plate Section at the Department of Motor Vehicles in Carson City at 684-4750, the Nevada Arts Council at 687-6680, or see the NAC Web site at http://dmla.clan.lib.nv.us (click on Nevada Arts Council and then click on color license plate for step-by-step

instructions).

To purchase a plate, take your current registration, proof of insurance, smog check if applicable and old plates. Your registration fee will be pro-rated. The cost is $51 for a standard plate, with an annual renewal fee of $20. Personalized plates run $86 for the initial cost and $40 for renewal.