Dear Colleagues and Friends,
Fall always feels like a fresh, albeit hectic, start for cultural groups. Across Utah, many of you are kicking off new seasons, opening exhibitions, and bringing new work to your communities.
As I begin this new chapter with Utah Arts & Museums, I’m looking forward to connecting with many of you over the coming months. I’m excited to learn about the great work you are doing, what you’re thinking about, and how we can best support you. Please know I am here to listen, learn, and be a partner as we work together to support Utah’s arts and cultural communities.
All my best,
Kirsten Darrington
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 has published the results of its inaugural National Museum Survey (NMS). The NMS provides new insights into a field that generates billions of dollars in economic activity, provides nearly half a million jobs, and hosts over one billion visits per year.
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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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The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies has free advocacy resources for nonprofit arts organizations.
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ArtsHub has resources, training, and support to help arts and culture organizations advance accessibility.
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Time-Sensitive Opportunities |
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The Institute of Museum and Library Services has opened applications for its FY2027 discretionary grant programs.
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SMU DataArts is conducting a study on Generative AI in the Performing Arts with the goal of learning about how these technologies are affecting artists’ work, income, career opportunities, and creative practices.
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Salt Lake County Arts & Culture has opened their Launchpad Artistic Incubation Program, which empowers emerging to mid-career artists to create and perform new works by providing expanded access to Arts & Culture venues, services, and resources. Apply by Sept. 18.
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Our colleagues at Utah Historical Society invite you to join them for the Utah History Summit on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at the North Capitol Building.
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Grantmakers in the Arts invites groups to participate in a virtual survey-taking party to be part of the 2026 National ASO Survey, a first-of-its-kind effort to collect information on arts service organizations operating in the U.S. today.
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The Western Museums Association’s Annual Meeting, held in partnership with the Utah Museums Association, is an opportunity for museum people to exchange ideas, learn from peers, and cultivate skills to best serve their communities. The meeting is in Salt Lake City, from Sept. 23 – 26.
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Visit Salt Lake is launching the Salt Lake Visitor Experience Development Grant. With $50,000 in total funding and grants of up to $10,000 each, this new initiative is designed to help local entities turn ideas into visitor experiences. Submit an initial qualification form by Oct. 2.
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UServeUtah is hosting a Volunteer Management Training in Brigham City on Oct. 6 and 7.
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Are you a Gen Z making a difference, or do you know someone who is? Spread the word about the upcoming Generation Volunteer Summit. Young changemakers ages 15 to 25 are invited to register and be part of this inspiring event. Registration closes Oct. 23.
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Salt Lake City Arts Council has opened their Project Support grants for arts-based projects happening in Salt Lake City between Feb. and Aug. 2027. Apply by Oct. 25.
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Art Preservation Fund is a newly launched national initiative expanding access to conservation funding and expertise for museums, historical societies, archives, tribal organizations, and other collecting institutions across the nation. They are currently in the early stages of fundraising and organizational development, with plans to open their first grant application cycle in Fall 2026.
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Check Your Inbox: GOS Grant Contracts Sent |
Our General Operating Support (GOS) award letters and grant contracts for this cycle have officially been sent. Please check your email — including your spam or promotions folder — to review and sign your grant contract. If you need help, please reach out to our grants team right away so we can help you get everything finalized: uamgrants@utah.gov.
Also, a reminder that we have a new logo for you to start using on your materials that note our support! Please find versions of our new logo on our webpage.
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Register for Poetry Out Loud |
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.
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Student Poetry Contest Opens |
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!
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“Once Upon a Tree” at Chase Home Museum |
Curated from the State of Utah Alice Merrill Horne Art Collection, “Once Upon a Tree” showcases how Utah artists transform raw timber and paper into vibrant expressions of culture, memory, and heritage. Discover wood and paper through fine art and traditional craft at the Chase Home Museum in the middle of Salt Lake City’s Liberty Park. The show is on display through Jan. 9, 2027.
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Utah Teaching Artist Featured |
Congratulations to Noemi Hernandez-Balcazar for her recent spotlight article from our partners at Creative West, a support and advocacy group offering services to artists and organizations across the western United States. We’re thrilled to see Noemi recognized as their featured teaching artist! Noemi is an amazing Utah artist and educator, and she’s just one of the talented artists on our UA&M Teaching Artist Roster.
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On Saturday, Sept. 26, stop by the Chase Home Museum for art challenges, interactive family fun, and prizes. This is a free day of folk and art at Liberty Park that continues our 40-year anniversary celebration at the museum. Participate in art challenges to win a prize, and enjoy activities for the whole family.
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Book the Utah Poet Laureate |
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. Requests are honored based on the nature of the request and the availability of the poet laureate.
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We're proud to support Utah Creative Aging Coalition's Kaleidoscope Festival, Utah’s first statewide creative aging festival. This month-long celebration honors the creativity, connection, and vitality of older adults through performances, classes, exhibits, and community events. The festival features arts experiences across Utah through Sept. 19.
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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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Kirsten Darrington,
Division Director
Katherine Potter,
Commissioner
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