Dear Colleagues,
I hope you'll join us at the Utah State Capitol on Feb. 5, 2026 for Cultural Industry Advocacy Day, as we celebrate the vibrant cultural industry that enriches the lives of all Utahns. This is an opportunity for everyone in the cultural sector to come together and showcase the incredible impact of our industry. Don’t miss out on this chance to highlight the creativity and passion that fuels our cultural community! You can choose which of the tracks best fits your schedule and interests. Registration is required for the Rotunda Activity and Legislative Meeting tracks. If you wish to provide an activity or performance in the Rotunda or participate in legislative meetings, please register by Dec. 19.
I want to share this lovely article by Emily Larsen, director of the Springville Museum of Art, titled "Loneliness, Connection, and the Power of Art." It's a wonderful meditation on how the arts bring us together, and a perfect sendoff into what I hope will be a warm and restorative holiday season for you all.
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.
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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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Arts Midwest is currently accepting applications for the National Endowment for the Arts' annual Big Read program. Grants of up to $20,000 will be awarded to support community-based reading programs designed around a single book. Submit an Intent to Apply by Jan. 15, 2026; the full application is due Jan. 29, 2026.
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The National Endowment for the Arts and Mid-America Arts Alliance are accepting applications for Creative Forces Community Engagement Grants, a nationwide grant opportunity of up to $25K to support arts projects for military-connected individuals. Guidelines and application materials are available through Jan. 15, 2026.
- The Levitt Foundation has an open call for grants of up to $5,000 to U.S.-based nonprofits presenting free outdoor music festivals in 2026. Applications are due by Friday, Jan. 30, 2026.
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Our colleagues at UServeUtah are offering Volunteer Management Training, an interactive, practical course for volunteer managers at any experience level. Feb. 11 - 12, 2026, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., at Mountainland Technical College in Lehi. Register by Jan. 31, 2026.
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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 deadlines are Feb. 12, 2026, and July 9, 2026, for projects taking place beginning in 2027.
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The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) is now accepting nominations for its 2026 Leadership in History Awards. Submissions are due March 1, 2026.
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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, 2026, or until all available funds have been awarded.
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Breaking Barriers Applications Close Jan. 5
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Our Breaking Barriers program is accepting applications for our next cohort training, taking place virtually Jan. 14 through Feb. 18 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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Last Chance for 125th Anniversary Exhibition
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See our 125th Anniversary Exhibition at the Utah State Capitol's Fourth Floor Gallery through Dec. 31, 2025. The first state arts agency in the nation, our division curated the exhibition to feature a variety of art genres supported by the agency, including folk arts, performing arts, and public art. These artworks and objects from the State of Utah Alice Merrill Horne Art Collection are rarely on display, so check out the show this month!
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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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UA&M Grant Payment Updates
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The majority of our grantees who received an award during the current fiscal year should have received their initial payment. If you have not yet received your first payment, please contact us immediately at uamgrants@utah.gov. Delays may be due to an outstanding signed contract or other necessary paperwork. Also, please bookmark our grantee resource page (link below), which is your go-to for your grant award management.
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Book a Visit from the Utah Poet Laureate
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Are you interested in a reading or workshop with Utah Poet Laureate Lisa Bickmore for your school, nonprofit organization, writers' group, or community group? Learn more at the link about booking an appearance from Lisa.
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| Preservation Site Assessments
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A Preservation Site Assessment is a comprehensive examination of your museum's building, documents, and internal structures. This is a free service offered by Utah Field Services for public institutions. The form linked below will be open until Jan. 5, 2026, at which time we will close it and review applications. Site assessments will be in the spring of 2026.
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Get Involved with America250 Utah
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Our department's America250 Utah Commission is organizing events in the state to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Your organization can get involved by asking for a branding kit on the America250 Utah website. Fill out the form here.
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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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