The Smith Center Announces Appointment of Lucy Klinkhammer as Vice President of Development
Klinkhammer brings more than 25 years of progressive professional experience to new role
Effective Oct. 14, lifelong Las Vegas resident Lucy Klinkhammer will assume the role of vice president of development at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts after more than 25 years of dedicated service to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
In her role, she will be responsible for leading and implementing the development and fundraising programs for the performing arts center while working hand-in-hand with both the Board of Directors and Board of Advisors, senior officers, staff members and volunteers to ensure the ongoing sustainability and success of the performing arts center.
“Lucy is one of the most respected development professionals in Las Vegas and we as an organization are honored to have her join our continued mission” said Myron Martin, the center’s president and CEO. “We met nearly 20 years ago at UNLV and I have always admired her work ethic, poise and professionalism. Lucy will make a truly invaluable addition to our team here at The Smith Center.
Klinkhammer is known community-wide for her management abilities, successful fundraising campaigns and community initiatives while at UNLV. Most recently, she served as the associate vice president of community relations for the Office of University of Advancement where she supported the establishment of The Lincy Institute – a research program focusing on the improvement of Nevada’s health, education and social services – and directed the Engelstad Scholarship Program – the largest active scholarship program in the university’s history that centers around volunteer service and civic engagement for selected freshmen with financial need.
Prior to that, Klinkhammer held various roles with the UNLV Foundation including associate vice president of development operations where she was responsible for raising and managing private funds for the university to enhance the quality of the institution and strengthen its mission of research, teaching and community service.
“From the first mention of The Smith Center decades ago to the moment the first shovel hit the ground, I’ve been an advocate and fan of the project and immensely proud to have this institution in Las Vegas – a city I hold dear to my heart and a place I call my hometown,” said Klinkhammer. “The Smith Center has held true to its promises of arts education and community enrichment and represents the cultural maturation of this great city. I’ve had an incredible career with UNLV and I couldn’t be more honored to join The Smith Center executive team.”
Klinkhammer will succeed this role held by longtime and beloved Smith Center team member, arts advocate and industry veteran Terry Jones as he transitions his duties to a part-time role focusing on working with major donors. During his nearly four-year tenure with The Smith Center, Jones is credited for leading the completion of the successful capital campaign, helping to open The Smith Center on time and on budget, creating the Board of Advisors and establishing the center’s ongoing Annual Fund campaign.
“As I transition many of my responsibilities to Lucy, a friend and trusted colleague, I look back at this extraordinary project with great pride and a sense of fulfillment,” said Jones. “I’m confident Lucy will grow our donor base and help achieve the true potential of this crucial community asset.”
Klinkhammer is an active member of the Las Vegas Healthy Community Coalition, Association of Fundraising Professionals, Alliance of Nevada Nonprofits, Council for the Advancement of Secondary and Higher Education and Phi Kappa Phi UNLV chapter. She has served on numerous university committees including institutional accreditation teams, Civic Engagement Committee, UNLV 50th Anniversary Committee and President’s Cabinet Implementation and Oversight Committee among others.
Klinkhammer is a proud UNLV graduate and lifetime member of the UNLV Alumni Association.
About The Smith Center for the Performing Arts
The hallmark of downtown Las Vegas’ 61-acre urban development known as Symphony Park, The Smith Center for the Performing Arts is a public-private partnership that opened in March 2012. Heralded as the city’s Heart of the Arts®, The Smith Center is an architectural triumph and long-awaited cultural achievement that educates and entertains the citizens of Southern Nevada. The $470 million world-class performing arts center offers a blend of performances by resident companies, first-run touring attractions, lectures and internationally acclaimed performers in music, theater and dance. The five-acre campus features four performance spaces including the 2,050-seat Reynolds Hall, a 258-seat Cabaret Jazz club, the 250-seat Troesh Studio Theater and the 1.7-acre Donald W. Reynolds Symphony Park for outdoor concerts. Additionally, the campus is home to the Discovery Children’s Museum that opened in March 2013. For more information about The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, please visit www.TheSmithCenter.com. Keep up with news and events on Facebook and follow The Smith Center on Twitter at @SmithCenterLV.
