A graphic for Summit Part, UT that reads, "Summit County is home to three different ski resorts, which attract masses of tourists, but the variety of arts and cultural festivals, offerings, and institutions has also built audiences for the area's established and emerging artists, musicians, filmmakers, and performers."

Summit Park Ranks #2 in Arts Report

SMU DataArts, the National Center for Arts Research at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, recently released their fifth annual Arts Vibrancy Index Report, which ranks more than 900 communities across the nation, examining the level of supply, demand, and government support for the arts. Based on their research, Summit Park, Utah is ranked the #2 most arts-vibrant small-sized community in America. While their …

A image of an outdoor, metal sculpture resembling yellow, orange, and blue ribbons.

Utah Public Art Honored

Earlier this summer, Americans for the Arts honored Weber Valley Youth Center and artist David Griggs for his site-specific artwork, Where the River Flows, as among 50 outstanding public art projects created in 2018. The art installation was commissioned through our agency’s Public Art Program. The Public Art Network Year in Review program is the only national program that specifically …

A graphic that reads, "Each year, two $10,000 Fellowships are awarded. Artists practicing in a variety of media such as painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, sculpture, craft, and new genres are eligible."

Following the Fellows

Each year, we award two $10,000 fellowships to individual visual artists to acknowledge their artistic excellence and encourage their careers. Artists practicing in a variety of media – such as painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, sculpture, craft, and new genres – are eligible. Our 2019 fellows were Jim Jacobs of Ogden and Shane Deeter of La Sal. We checked in with them recently to …

An image of a brick house.

New Sculpture for Glendinning Home

We will soon welcome a beautiful new outdoor sculpture to the Glendinning Home, where Utah Arts & Museums is headquartered. Ogden artist Heath Satow was awarded the opportunity to create a site-specific work to be placed on the home’s grounds. His piece, AMH: 1898, honors our agency’s founder, Alice Merrill Horne, in a number of ways, not least by incorporating …

A girl wearing pink glasses playing a plastic, yellow trombone.

NEA Funds Come to Utah

In February, the National Endowment for the Arts released its first funding announcement of FY 2019, which included funding to nine Utah organizations for arts projects. Earlier this month, the NEA released its second funding announcement, which included grants to 15 Utah organizations. The February round of funding totaled $250,000 to Utah groups; the more recent round of funding included …

A portrait of former Utah Governor Herbert in the state capitol.

Governor Receives AFTA Award

At a special event on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, Americans for the Arts (AFTA) honored Governor Gary Herbert with its Governors Arts Leadership Award. Founded in 1960, AFTA is the nation’s leading organization for advancing the arts and arts education, supporting the network of organizations and individuals who cultivate and promote the arts in America. Governor Herbert was recognized for …

A graphic for Spike 150.

Party Like It’s 1869

One of the most iconic and life-altering events in America’s history – the completion of the transcontinental railroad – happened in Utah on May 10, 1869. Spike 150 is the umbrella organization for all those celebrating the 150-year anniversary of the Golden Spike ceremony in Utah. Through a series of activities and events, the Spike 150 initiative aims to inspire, …

A photo of a person's hands playing the piano.

Additional Grants Funding Approved By Legislature

Assuming Governor Gary R. Herbert signs the budget bills approved during the final days of the session, the Utah Division of Arts & Museums will receive an additional $2 million in one-time funding for grants to arts organizations and museums. This will bring the total grant pool in fiscal year 2020, including federal funds, to approximately $3.5 million.

Three young people standing on the Utah Senate floor holding folders.

Opening Doors through Art

by Rozanna Benally-Sagg In the Montezuma Creek community, where Georgiana Simpson teaches art at Whitehorse High School, she is providing learning opportunities in a supportive environment. In particular, she encourages students to reflect on their own personal strengths as tools for success. “I encourage my students to use their strengths and skills to help others,” Simpson said. This year, Simpson …

A sign on a building that reads, "ART."

Legislative Committee Prioritizes $3.5 Million in Additional Grants Funding

After reviewing hundreds of requests for funding, the Business, Economic Development, and Labor Appropriations Subcommittee placed additional funding for cultural grants near the top of their funding recommendations. The subcommittee unanimously recommended $3.5 million in ongoing grants funding for arts organizations and museums, slightly more than half of what was proposed by Gov. Gary Herbert in December. But even that …