The Mario Basner Passion Project Fund

Creating opportunities for UNLV COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS PHOTOGRAPHY STUDENTS

 

The Mario Basner Passion Project Fund is a catalyst to empower students to find their voice and discover a path toward a successful and fulfilling future. Through financial support and mentorship, the program offers invaluable opportunities for life-changing experiences by facilitating exploration, travel, and creative immersion.   

 
Each student’s project is centered around a theme of profound personal meaning, fostering introspection and self-discovery. This innovative approach creates a deeper understanding of self-worth and increases the confidence to actively pursue their individual goals and dreams.


The program has created significant results since its inception. The integration of the Passion Project Fund into the curriculum of the photography department at UNLV signifies its remarkable impact, elevating students' educational journey by offering a hands-on, impactful experience that aligns with real-world applications and contributes to the department's academic excellence.

  •  Benefits

    - The program contributes measurably to student's growth, confidence and self-worth

    - Significant increase of self-awareness

    - Realization of artistic and personal direction

    - Improved ability to commit and become resourceful to accomplish goals

    - Greater appreciation of community, team and the value of contribution

    - Recipients gain a deeply meaningful understanding of themselves

    - Real-world experience

    - Learning to navigate unfamiliar environments and how to pivot

    - Building agency and a greater sense of responsibility

    - A broadened understanding of the world and their place in it

    - A deeper appreciation of diversity

    - The completed project adds value to their portfolio and becomes a springboard to build upon

  • Student Projects - Lane Sheehy - Isle of Lewis, Scotland, Summer 2025 - Michelle Rose Walker - Holland, Netherlands, April... Student Projects - Lane Sheehy - Isle of Lewis, Scotland, Summer 2025 - Michelle Rose Walker - Holland, Netherlands, April... Student Projects - Lane Sheehy - Isle of Lewis, Scotland, Summer 2025 - Michelle Rose Walker - Holland, Netherlands, April... Student Projects - Lane Sheehy - Isle of Lewis, Scotland, Summer 2025 - Michelle Rose Walker - Holland, Netherlands, April...

    Student Projects

     

    - Lane Sheehy - Isle of Lewis, Scotland, Summer 2025

    - Michelle Rose Walker - Holland, Netherlands, April 1st - 15th, 2025

    - Jessica Samaniego - Ciudad Nezahualcóyotl, Mexico, February 24th - March 2nd, 2025

    - Daniela Castaneda - Mexico City, October 31st - November 6th, 2024

    - Essence Goins Johnson - New York Fashion Week, September 06th - 11th, 2024

    - Essence Goins Johnson - Los Angeles Fashion Week, March 22nd - 24th, 2024

    - Amanda Perez - Italy, January 31st - February 12th, 2024

    - James Sims - Navajo Nation, New Mexico & Salt Lake City, Utah,  July 8th - 24th, 2023


  •  
    This Program is made possible by
     
    Basner Fine Art
    The Bitterman Family
    The Luna Foundation
     Zeiss Camera Lenses
    Lensrentals.com