Governor's Arts Awards - Nevada Arts Council

PATRONAGE IN THE ARTS
BILL FAIN
As the long-time proprietor of the Gold Hill Hotel near Virginia City, Bill Fain has
employed the arts to build a business, a culture and a community. John Flanagan,
chairman of the Storey County Commission, noted in his nomination letter,
“Through the generosity of his philanthropic spirit, creativity, financial resources
and community involvement, [this tenaciously successful octogenarian] has
developed a cultural nucleus for the Comstock Historic District.”
Fain started down this path more than 20 years ago by instituting a weekly lecture
series devoted to the history of the Comstock Lode and Nevada, often including
poetry, music, theatre and dance. Using his own contribution of time, effort and
financial resources, Fain ensured its ongoing success.
In 2001, seeing the need for a community theater, Fain founded the Gold Hill
Theatre Troupe. Fain wrote the troupe's first two Comstock-themed plays and
performed them in the hotel after dinner, essentially in the laps of his patrons.
Fain's enterprise quickly attracted community members eager to join.In six years,
100 northern Nevada actors have staged more than 350 performances of 37 plays
and musicals. Not content with indoor venues, Fain launched “Shakespeare on the
Rocks” in 2005. Every summer a major Shakespeare work takes place outdoors
in the gazebo at the Gold Hill Hotel.With each of these endeavors, Fain's vision
of serving the community and its visitors through the arts becomes more
fully realized.
“With the many opportunities he has provided for the community, Bill Fain has
demonstrated a long term, tireless commitment as a patron of the arts,” write
Nevada Shakespeare Company's Cameron Crain and Squeek Steele. “This is a
person that must be recognized.”