The UNLV College of Fine Arts and Dean Nancy J. Uscher are excited to announce the very special 21st UNLV Fine Arts Hall of Fame to be held on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Wynn Las Vegas.
The College of Fine Arts is honored to present the first Global Impact Award to Sphere, to be accepted by Sphere Entertainment's executive chairman and chief executive officer James Dolan.
Sphere is an experiential medium that is redefining the future of live entertainment. Powered by advanced technologies that ignite the senses, Sphere is a venue where the foremost artists, creators, and technologists create extraordinary experiences that bring storytelling to a new level and transport audiences to places both real and imagined. The venue hosts original Sphere Experiences from leading Hollywood creatives; concerts and residencies from the world’s biggest artists; and premier corporate and marquee events. The first Sphere opened in Las Vegas in September 2023 and is a Las Vegas landmark where audiences share in experiences at a never-before-seen scale.
"The world is inspired by the remarkable innovation of Sphere, and this fascinating and original concept of its creator, James Dolan," said Uscher. "The spirit of Sphere is globally impactful because it presents a sense of such optimistic and exciting possibility for the future."
Inductees include 10-year Linq headlining magician and America's Got Talent winner Mat Franco; entertainment luminary Cindy Doumani; and filmmaker and educator Francisco Menendez (posthumously). Recipient of the Koep Dean's Medal is Broadway in the HOOD founder Torrey Russell. Jazz vocalist Jonathan Karrant receives the CFA Limelight Award. Arts and music education advocate Denise Wunderlich receives the Community Impact Award. Artist and educator Wendy Kveck and pianist, composer, producer, and educator Iñaki Sandoval are Alumni of the Year.
In addition to celebrating the outstanding 2026 College of Fine Arts honorees, we pay tribute to 25 remarkable years of the existence and rich contributions of Nevada Conservatory Theatre.
The Hall of Fame was founded in 2003 to honor those who have made a significant impact in the areas of visual arts, performing arts, and/or architecture. Past inductees include Ann-Margret, Tony Curtis, Phyllis McGuire, Dionne Warwick, David Copperfield, The Killers, Wayne Newton, Liberace, Clint Holmes, Penn & Teller; Lance Burton; and Siegfried & Roy, among others.
