Dear Colleagues,
Thank you to those who attended Cultural Industry Advocacy Day at the Utah State Capitol on Feb. 5. It is always so heartwarming to see YOU, my colleagues, all together, highlighting how we serve our state.
It's mid-February, no snow, the legislative session is almost over, and the Olympics are happening (my not-so-secret addiction). You may have heard in the news that Utah is expecting a very tight budget year ahead. All state agencies have been asked to prepare (next year's) FY27 budget with 5% cuts. As with your home budget, we at the state must live within our means. And we still have opportunities to share how important government funds are to our work. Government funding ensures art and museum activities are accessible to all.
Arts and museums strengthen the fabric of America's communities, help our national and local economies to flourish, improve education outcomes, contribute to good health, and preserve our cherished traditions. Public dollars ensure broad access and leverage additional private and local investment. Cultural engagement showcases the creativity that drives innovation and thriving communities. These messages are relevant, and I encourage you to share the impactful stories of your work: in person, on your websites, through newsletters, and in your local newspapers.
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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The National Endowment for the Arts has opened applications for a new funding opportunity: "Celebrating the Nation’s 250th Birthday with Music from U.S. Military Bands." Eligible organizations may apply for a grant ranging from $10,000 up to $20,000 for arts projects that feature performances and/or educational programming with a U.S. military band. Apply by Feb. 23.
- 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.
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The application deadline for the Community Foundation of Utah's sabbatical program is March 2. Selected applicants will be a part of an immersive experience designed to reset, recharge, and explore bold solutions to persistent organizational challenges.
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Creative West is accepting applications for its Native Arts + Heritage Fund. The fund honors Indigenous ways of knowing and values process over product, relationship over compliance, and well-being as a meaningful measure of impact. Apply by March 8.
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The Ogden Circle of Giving is accepting applications for its Spring Grant Cycle. Applications are open to nonprofit organizations whose programs and initiatives aim to support education in Northern Utah. Apply by March 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.
- 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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Poetry Out Loud State Finals on March 4
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Join us for a free evening of competition and celebration at the Utah State Finals for Poetry Out Loud, at the Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center in Taylorsville on March 4 at 7 p.m. Watch Utah’s most talented high school voices take the stage to compete for the state title and a trip to Washington, D.C., to represent us at the national championships. You'll also hear original works from the winners of Poetry Ourselves, our statewide student writing competition, plus performances by DJ Chris "Chacho" Valdez and the crew from The School of Dance. The event is free and will also be livestreamed on Facebook.
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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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| Apply for Environmental Monitoring by Feb. 27
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We have a new collections preservation opportunity: Environmental Monitoring Training. We will provide a cohort of collecting institutions across Utah with the tools, training, and support they need to log and use environmental data for their collections spaces with Conserv tools. Each participating institution should have collections preservation needs and two available staff who can attend quarterly check-ins and training. Participation is free and requires no travel, as all training will take place virtually over three years. This opportunity is appropriate for both beginners and more advanced learners. Complete our brief application by Feb. 27. Questions? Please reach out to Marie Desrochers at mdesrochers@utah.gov.
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Apply for Utah Artist Fellowship by March 6
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The Utah Artist Fellowships are $5,000 awards that recognize the careers of Utah artists demonstrating exceptional creativity in their fields. Fellows are chosen by out-of-state, nationally renowned arts professionals. Selections are based on evaluation of application narratives as well as work samples from the past five years. Fellowships will be awarded in each of these categories:
Literary Arts – Five fellowships
Performing Arts (Music 2026) – Five fellowships
Visual Arts & Design Arts – Eight fellowships
Application closes March 6 at 5 p.m.
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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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| Free Folk Arts Workshops Available
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Our Living Folk Arts Education workshop series is a free program that 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. 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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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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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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