Black Mountain Institute Brings Culture and Literary Excellence to Las Vegas
by Brandi Segura

Three years ago, the Black Mountain Institute  (BMI) was established to bring something to Las Vegas that the city sorely lacked – an established literary center. BMI provides a place where thinkers and writers can go to discuss cultural and political issues.

“BMI attempts to push against type and brings high culture to Las Vegas. It enriches the entire community intellectually,” says UNLV President Emerita Carol Harter, BMI’s executive director. “BMI offers five programs inside a mission statement that advances literary endeavors. We’re interested in reaching out to the whole world from an artist’s point of view.”

The BMI programs include a fellowship program that supports internationally focused writing; City of Asylum, which provides a safe haven for writers from countries where their freedom is severely restrained; publication of a nationally recognized literary journal called Witness; translation of major literary works from under-translated languages to English; and panel events from literary figures who embody BMI’s mission.

“Our audiences are growing. We went from below average attendance to standing room only. We feel that Las Vegas is thirsty for an artistic and intellectual life and BMI provides that,” says BMI Associate Director Richard Wiley.

BMI has three readings from some of the countries most talented writers scheduled on Nov. 5 and 10 and Dec. 2 and a lecture on Nov. 8. All events begin at 7 p.m. and are free and open to the public.

For more information about BMI and event locations, visit www.blackmountaininstitute.org.