Dear Colleagues and Friends,
I want to share that I will be retiring at the end of June 2026, stepping into what feels like the next evolution of my life. This decision comes with deep gratitude, pride, and optimism. Before the recruitment process begins, I wanted you to learn the news from me. I leave with great confidence in the future of the division. Donna Law’s leadership at the Utah Department of Cultural & Community Engagement will ensure a smooth and impactful transition, and I know that she and her team will bring the right person into this role. I am deeply grateful to Jill Love for allowing me to serve in this position, and to Donna for her steadfast support of both the division and me.
I am profoundly thankful for the opportunities I have been given and for the remarkable colleagues I have had the privilege to work alongside. I have been fortunate to be part of a community defined by passion, creativity, service, and an unwavering commitment to the public good. Working with people who care so deeply about our cultural life has been one of the great joys of my career. This next chapter holds time for family, travel, and advocacy. I look forward to dancing into the future with more time to enjoy art and museums, more time with friends and loved ones, and the freedom to experience life a little differently. Thank you all for the trust, collaboration, and shared purpose over the years. I will still be around for a while if you need something from me.
The recruitment process for my successor is open. Here is the link to the position information. I hope you'll share this opportunity with anyone in your networks who would be a great fit.
Speaking of agency departures, we're bidding a fond farewell to our outreach conservator, Marie Desrochers. Marie is leaving the division at the end of March for a new position out of state. She joined us in 2021 as part of the National Endowment for the Humanities-funded initiative for the Utah Collections Preservation Program (2021-2024). Marie tirelessly served far corners of the state, developing and delivering valuable preventive conservation training and closely mentoring preservation projects at a number of institutions. She'll be moving into a new role at Yale University Library in New Haven, Connecticut. We will miss her, and we wish her the best!
I'm pleased to share that our agency recently secured new funding from a national grant program to advance creative aging programs for older adults in Utah. The Creative Aging, Creative Futures program, a joint initiative of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies and E.A. Michelson Philanthropy, builds upon the success of previous initiatives. Our agency secured $77,500 for our Creative Aging Advancement Collaboration, a three-pillar initiative designed to improve the landscape of creative aging through strategic support, direct service, and professional capacity building. Please read more on our blog.
Wishing you the best,
Victoria Panella Bourns
Director, Utah Division of Arts & Museums
P.S. As always, you can find us on Instagram and Facebook at @utahartsandmuseums. A list of our newsletters that you can subscribe to is on our Newsletters webpage. Looking for a past newsletter? Check out our Past Newsletters webpage.
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- The Utah Nonprofits Association offers the Nonprofit Credential in areas such as fundraising, marketing, and volunteer management.
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Creative West is offering a Capacity Building Webinar Series, a year-long lineup of free professional development workshops for artists and arts organizations. Join them the second Tuesday of each month from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
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The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is now accepting applications for its FY26 discretionary grant cycle. There are a number of museum grant programs to be aware of.
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Utah Nonprofits Association is encouraging Utah organizations to join UTAHGIVES, a new statewide day of giving built to spotlight local organizations, connect them with Utah donors, and create new opportunities for funding and visibility.
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The DeVos Institute of Arts and Nonprofit Management is offering "An AI Roadmap for Nonprofit Arts and Culture Organizations."
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Our colleagues at UServeUtah will offer their Volunteer Management Training in Sevier County. Join them April 21–22 in Richfield for an engaging two-day workshop designed for volunteer engagement professionals. Register by April 10.
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Freedom 250 is seeking artists and performers to present their work at the Great American State Fair this summer. Apply by April 13.
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The Tremaine Foundation has opened applications for Curatorial Advancement Grants for contemporary art curators. Submit a Letter of Interest by April 15.
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Our friends at Salt Lake City Arts Council are accepting applications for their General Operating Support Grants. Apply by April 17.
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The Vilcek Foundation will bestow a total of $200,000 in new grants to select mission-aligned nonprofits in the United States. The foundation awards operating and project support grants to a varied group of organizations across sectors, including arts, sciences, education, and direct services. Apply by April 30.
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The National Endowment for the Arts is now accepting nominations for the 2027 NEA National Heritage Fellowships. These fellowships are the nation’s highest honor in the folk and traditional arts and recognize artists and individuals who have significantly contributed to our nation’s rich cultural heritage. Submit a nomination by May 11.
- The National Endowment for the Arts has opened registration for the annual Blue Star Museums Program. The program encourages museums, zoos, botanical gardens, historic houses, etc. to offer free admission to active-duty military personnel and up to five family members. The program will run from May 16 through Sept. 7.
- Creative West's "Living Traditions: Folk Art and Beyond Grant" celebrates and invests in the cultural practices and art forms that connect and sustain communities. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until June 30 or until all available funds have been awarded.
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Guidelines and application materials for the National Endowment for the Arts’ principal grants category, Grants for Arts Projects, are now available. Application deadline is July 9 for projects taking place beginning in 2027.
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| Utah Poetry Out Loud State Finals
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We held the state finals competition for Poetry Out Loud on March 4. This national poetry recitation program for high school students featured live music and dance by Chacho Valdez and Flavakids from The School of Dance, and a reading from Utah Poet Laureate Lisa Bickmore. Seven Utah high school students won their regional events for the chance to compete. Each student chose three poems to memorize and recite. James Ware of Olympus High School was the winner. The runner-up was Ivy Jensen of Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy.
This year’s other finalists were:
~ Lilly Wilkinson of Box Elder High School
~ Katie Bell of Independent Education Program
~ Jessica Black of San Juan High School
~ Cecilia Tucker of Judge Memorial Catholic High School
~ Ozalyn Gardner of Utah Arts Academy
James wins a trip to Washington, D.C. for the national finals to compete for the top prize of $20,000. All of the national POL semifinals and finals will be streamed online at the link. Be sure to tune in April 28-29 to cheer our champion on!
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Poetry Ourselves Winners Announced
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UA&M is proud to announce the winners of “Poetry Ourselves,” our annual poetry-writing competition for Utah 9-12th-grade students. This year, we received more than 100 poems, which were submitted both in English and Spanish. The judges selected the following honorees:
~ 1st Place – English Language Poetry: Elli Douglas, Liberty University Online Academy
~ 1st Place – Spanish Language Poetry: Nicole Guzman, Olympus High School
~ Runner-Up – English Language Poetry: May Obermark, Rowland Hall
~ Runner-Up – Spanish Language Poetry: Andrea Vallejos, Olympus High School
All these winners received cash prizes and were recognized at the state Poetry Out Loud Competition on March 4. Kudos to these amazing student poets!
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Polynesian Fashion at the Chase Home Museum
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Our new exhibition, “The ‘Ilisapesi Collection,” showcases the works of Polynesian fashion designer Denise Kaafi. The show presents a collection of textiles and garments that form a tribute to the designer's grandmother, ‘Ilisapesi. Born in New Zealand and raised in Tonga, Denise draws deeply on her Tongan and Māori ancestry to create one-of-a-kind gowns, costumes, and traditional pieces. Visitors will see a fusion of fashion and culture, where intricate designs incorporate natural materials unique to the Pacific Islands, grounding every modern creation in traditional roots.
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Apply for Breaking Barriers by April 3
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Our Breaking Barriers program is accepting applications for our next cohort training, taking place virtually April 15 through May 13 on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon. This free training is for cultural organizations to enhance their knowledge of disability accessibility. Participants will receive 12 hours of instruction over six weeks, as well as a one-hour consultation provided by Art Access staff. Participants will develop accessibility plans that address making their physical sites and organizations more accessible to everyone.
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| Change Leader Institute Application Is Open
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The application for the Spring 2026 Change Leader Institute is open and will close on Monday, March 30 at 5 p.m. The Change Leader Institute is a professional development course that addresses leadership issues in relation to leading or surviving change. Our goals are to better equip arts, museums, and cultural leaders to deal with environmental and organizational change and to create a statewide support network for Utah's cultural community.
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Call for Submissions for “40 Years of Folk”
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First opening as a venue for Utah folk art in 1986, the Chase Home Museum of Utah Folk Art has been a valued space of the Utah Division of Arts & Museums for 40 years. In honor of the history of the museum and the artists who have played a vital role in its journey, we are inviting all artists who have worked with our museum to submit artwork proposals for our upcoming exhibition, “40 Years of Folk.” This exhibition will showcase the variety of artists involved in exhibitions at our museum to commemorate the past 40 years.
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Save the Date: Living Traditions Festival
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Celebrating its 40th year in 2026, the Living Traditions Festival is a free multicultural festival produced by the Salt Lake City Arts Council in partnership with the Utah Division of Arts & Museums in downtown Salt Lake City. Presenting live music, dance, crafts, and food, Living Traditions supports the preservation of varied traditions and perspectives. Mark May 15-17 on your calendars for this year's celebration!
If you’re an educator working with 2nd - 4th graders, register for School Day. Each year Living Traditions kicks off the festival weekend with a free festival field trip opportunity.
And if you’re interested in volunteering, submit a Volunteer Interest Form to get involved.
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Get Ready for Grant Report Season
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Many of our grant final reports are opening soon. Check the grantee resources page for information about your specific grant and reporting requirements. Please ensure you complete your report by the deadline! Final payments will be processed once your report is submitted and approved.
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The views and opinions expressed in any content from outside partners do not necessarily reflect the views of the Utah Division of Arts & Museums.
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| Donna Law,
Executive Director
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| Victoria Panella Bourns,
Director
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