Dear Colleagues,
Please enjoy the November edition of ArtOps, chock-full of opportunities for creative Utahns.
Here's an offering to kick things off: The Creative West Artist Fund is now open. This is a program that celebrates and supports artists and cultural practitioners across the 16 states and jurisdictions in the Creative West region. Apply by Nov. 30.
Warm wishes,
UA&M Arts Program Managers
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Poetry Ourselves:
Original Student Poetry Competition
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Attention high schoolers! Registration is open now for Poetry Ourselves, our annual competition for original poetry by Utah 9th-12th graders. The deadline for submissions is Jan. 30, 2026. Students may submit either one or two original poems of any format (or up to a maximum of 10 original haiku). Each poem must be 25 lines or fewer. Poems may be submitted in English or in Spanish, and cash prizes will be awarded to winners in each language. Click below to learn more and to enter.
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Poetry Out Loud
Registration Open
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There's still time for teachers and organizers to register for this year's Poetry Out Loud competition in their school, classroom, or youth organization. This annual, nationwide poetry reciting competition gives 9th- through 12th-grade students the chance to dig deep into great works of poetry, and the winner will go on to compete for cash prizes and the chance to represent our state at the national finals in Washington, D.C. next spring.
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Applications are now open for our Arts Education Teacher-Initiated Projects program. TIPs provide opportunities for Utah K-12 educators to gain knowledge and skills in any artistic discipline through one-on-one lessons with a teaching artist. TIPs are about personal and artistic growth for the teachers themselves, regardless of what they teach or whether those lessons apply to their classwork.
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Folk Arts Grant Applications Close Nov. 17
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This grant provides up to $5,000 to help traditional artists from Utah’s ethnic, Native, rural, and occupational communities share their skills with apprentices from the same cultural background. The grant helps mentors teach their craft, ensuring these valuable traditions continue. Applications must be submitted jointly by the mentor and one or two apprentices. All grant funds will be paid directly to the mentor. Applications close Nov. 17.
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Maracas Workshop at Chase Home Museum
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Join us Dec. 6 to move to the rhythms of Puerto Rican music! In this lively workshop, musician, artist, and researcher Manuel Padro will teach you to decorate your own maraca, turning it into a personalized piece of folk art. After your creation is complete, Manuel will guide you and your new instrument through the foundational rhythms of Bomba. You’ll learn to play three distinct rhythms and leave with access to curated playlists to continue your musical journey.
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| Free Folk Arts Workshops Available
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Our Living Folk Arts Education workshop series is accepting applications. This free program allows folk artists from the UA&M Teaching Artists roster to offer hands-on workshops to schools and community groups around the state. Groups can select from a wide range of traditional arts workshops taught by Utah folk artists. You can hold a workshop at the Chase Home Museum in Salt Lake City or arrange to have the artist come to your location.
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Utah Original Writing Competition Winners
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We're happy to announce that 20 writers have been selected as winners in seven categories of the 66th annual Utah Original Writing Competition, administered for us by the Salt Lake Community College Community Writing Center. Out-of-state judges selected winners from 317 entries submitted by Utah-based writers. First- and second-place winners are awarded prize money ranging from $250 to $1,500.
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StoryCon is an opportunity to learn firsthand from bestselling authors like Brandon Sanderson, Soman Chainani, Shannon Messenger, and more. Opportunities are also available for pitch sessions with book agents and editors. Join in this Feb. 27-28 at the Salt Palace Convention Center for the biggest writing convention in the Intermountain West! Use code UAM10 for 10% off adult tickets at checkout.
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The Literary Arts Fund was recently established to dramatically increase funding for the nonprofit literary arts field. This fund will award at least $50 million in grants to the nonprofit literary arts field over the next five years. Literary arts nonprofits based in the U.S. whose primary mission is presenting, publishing, and/or otherwise supporting contemporary creative writers of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, or hybrid literary forms are invited to apply.
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Regional Booking Conference Scholarship
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Our Performing Arts Program provides scholarships for presenters or performing artists to attend regional booking conferences. These conferences provide opportunities for performing artists to market their art to presenters. Booking conferences are also exceptional places to receive professional development and network with others in the field. The scholarship supports up to $1,000 in registration costs only. Some upcoming booking conferences include:
— Nov. 12-14: Rocky Mountain Association of Fairs
— Jan. 9-13: Association of Performing Arts Presenters
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| Shakespeare in American Communities
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Applications are now open for the 2026-27 cycle of Shakespeare in American Communities, a national program that offers support to nonprofit theater companies bringing Shakespeare-inspired performances and educational activities to their communities. Theaters can bring Shakespeare’s works to life with support from the Schools and Juvenile Justice Programs, or offer hands-on opportunities for early-career theater professionals with support from the Apprenticeships Program.
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TYA Tour Development Collective
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The TYA Tour Development Collective (TYA TDC) is a nationwide initiative bringing together performing arts venues and arts professionals to champion the creation of new theatrical works for youth and family audiences. The TYA TDC supports U.S. artists and companies with funds to help develop new projects to tour nationally. The collective is looking for new members and applicants; here is a one-sheet with more information.
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| Emergency Preparedness Webinars
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The Performing Arts Readiness (PAR) project is offering free emergency preparedness webinars. Designed specifically for performing arts organizations, these sessions emphasize that effective preparation enables quicker, more coordinated responses to crises, supports timely reopening, and facilitates a smoother return to normal operations.
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Check Out the SWA Virtual Gallery
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Couldn't make it to the Southern Utah Museum of Art for Statewide Annual UT '25? We have you covered with a virtual gallery!
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Check Out Opportunities on the ArtOps Page
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Please visit our ArtOps webpage for more opportunities.
If you are aware of a visual arts or design opportunity and would like it listed on the ArtOps page, please email complete details to: phay@utah.gov.
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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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