Teachers can register now to hold a 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. Your school 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.

Attention, high school poets! The entry period is open for Poetry Ourselves, our statewide poetry competition. Utah 9th- through 12th-grade students may submit either one or two of their own original poems of any format. Submitted poems must be 25 lines or fewer. Works may be submitted in English or Spanish. Winners will receive a cash award and be invited to present their works on the evening of state finals for Poetry Out Loud, Mar. 3, 2027. The entry deadline is Dec. 11, so don't delay! 

Our Arts Education program is accepting applications from Utah educators for our Teacher-Initiated Project awards. In a Teacher-Initiated Project, an artist works one-on-one with a K-12 teacher to instruct the teacher in a specific art form. The emphasis is on the teacher’s personal growth in knowledge and skills in an art form of his/her choice. To apply, review the guidelines on our website, then reach out to a teaching artist on our roster with whom you'd like to work.

Our amazing neighbor agency, Arts Idaho, is offering another year of their Arts Learning Lab series. This monthly virtual series is for educators interested in increasing access to arts education and is directly relevant to arts educators and teaching artists in the Intermountain West. This professional learning community is committed to building connections, providing the tools to deepen arts instruction, and exploring ways to support sustainable arts programs. Sessions are recorded and made available through an online resource library. All sessions begin at 4:30 p.m. MT. Check out the slate of classes and sign up!

In “Pixels & Patterns: Exploring Math and Technology through 3D Art,” presenter Mike Whiting will help participants learn new ways of connecting math, technology, and visual art with a hands-on project and walk away with ideas for engaging students through creative problem-solving. The workshop takes place Oct. 21 with virtual and in-person options available. It's part of the Evening for Educators series and the year-round professional learning opportunities offered by Arts Are Core. Find more about this and other upcoming events at the link below. 

Inspired by the 2026 Caldecott Medal-winning book “Fireworks,” “KABOOM! Art in Motion” is an arts-integrated workshop that explores the vibrant intersections of visual art, dance, and literacy. This teacher workshop is led by visual art and dance educators and will explore accessible movement strategies and expressive mark-making inspired by the book. This Evening for Educators workshop is presented by the Weber State University Arts Learning Collaborative on Oct. 22 from 5 - 8 p.m. Offered both in person and online, registration via Altitude is required for this free workshop. Re-licensure hours are available. A light dinner will be provided for in-person participants.

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 of Utah Folk Arts in Salt Lake City or arrange to have the artist come to your location. 

Mark your calendars: The 2027 Living Traditions Festival dates are May 21-23. A three-day multicultural festival, the Living Traditions Festival supports the preservation of culturally varied traditions, perspectives, and communities through the presentation of traditional music, dance, crafts, food, and more. Follow us for further updates and the opening of artist applications to participate in the festival. The Living Traditions Festival is produced by the Salt Lake City Arts Council in partnership with the Utah Division of Arts & Museums.

Are you interested in a reading or workshop with Utah Poet Laureate Lisa Bickmore for your school or community group? Learn more at the link about booking an appearance. Lisa is also conducting a “mobile micropress” project. She’ll work with writers and writers’ groups in communities around the state to help them publish micro-editions of chapbooks, broadsides, and other publications, collaboratively planned and devised.

Our friends at Utah Humanities are again presenting the Utah Book Festival, marking 29 years of strengthening Utah communities through reading, literature, and conversations with authors and audiences. Held during October’s National Book Month, the Book Festival offers both virtual and in-person events. Check out the calendar at the link below.

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. 

USArtists International provides support to professional performing ensembles and artists based anywhere in the United States so they can present their work at significant international festivals and performing arts markets around the globe. The program funds individuals and ensembles across all performing arts practices and disciplines, helping ensure the presence of U.S. artists on international stages. Apply by Feb. 24, 2027.