Dear Colleagues and Friends,
It is transition time. July 1, 2026 begins our fiscal year (FY27), new budget year, new leadership changes, and a time for reflection. I would like to thank Sharon S. Johnson, chair of the Arts and Museums Advisory Board, for her years of service. Sharon has been a wonderful leader and will serve as FY27 board advisor on the Executive Committee. Beginning in July, Robb Alexander will serve as board chair, Juan Carlos Claudio will serve as vice-chair, and Derrek Hanson will serve as the reporting chair for the Arts and Museums Advisory Council. We have a nine-member advisory board that is appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Utah Senate. Our Advisory Council supports the board in serving our agency's mission by filling in the geographic, knowledge, and skills gaps we encounter with our new smaller board.
I would like to acknowledge Donna Law, commissioner for the Utah Department of Cultural & Community Engagement. Donna has been in this role since January 2024, and I greatly appreciate her support of our division, along with our entire department. Donna helps us see the big picture and asks of us, “How might we?” Her positive attitude and love for our department’s vision (“Utah is a vibrant and welcoming place where people love to live because they feel connected, empowered, and inspired”) serves us all. Thank you, Donna, for your public service, and best wishes on all your future endeavors.
Alyssa, Elisha, Em, Fletcher, Hannah E., Hannah N., Jackson, Jason, Jenna, Jessica, Justin, Lansia, Natalie, Peter, Racquel, Reilly, Stephanie, and Tracy: Thank you for making FY26 a great year. Your passion, expertise, and hard work are what makes our agency a resourceful, respected, collaborative, creative, and welcoming agency!
There is a grand opening event for the new Museum of Utah this Saturday, June 27. Come visit to check out artwork from our State of Utah Alice Merrill Horne Art Collection, on display among fascinating historical artifacts from our sister agency, Utah Historical Society.
Warm regards,
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 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 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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The National Endowment for the Arts’ annual Blue Star Museums Program is open. The program encourages museums, zoos, botanical gardens, historic houses, etc. to offer free admission to active-duty military personnel and up to five family members. The program runs through Sept. 7.
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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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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, 2026, for projects taking place beginning in 2027.
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Call for Artwork: Statewide Annual UT ’26 |
We’re accepting artwork submissions from all Utah artists, 18 and older, for this year’s exhibition, hosted by Utah Valley University Museum of Art at Lakemount, Dec. 8, 2026 - March 13, 2027. Each artist is welcome to submit two artworks for consideration. Submissions must follow the theme of this year’s exhibition: Mixed Media, Works on Paper, and Installation. We are honored to have Lehuauakea (Hawaii/New Mexico) and Liz Miller (Minnesota) as this year’s jurors. Nearly $10,000 will be awarded, and each artist will be paid a $150 honorarium for each artwork selected for exhibition. Deadline to submit artwork is July 9.
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“40 Years of Folk” on Display |
First opening as a venue for Utah folk art in 1986, the Chase Home Museum of Utah Folk Art has been a valued space of the Utah Division of Arts & Museums for 40 years. In honor of the history of the museum and the artists who have played a vital role in its journey, we invited all artists who have worked with our museum to submit artwork for our the exhibition, “40 Years of Folk.” This exhibition showcases the variety of artists involved in exhibitions and programming at our museum over the past 40 years.
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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 Closes July 1 |
Since 1958, our Utah Original Writing Competition has awarded Utah writers for works of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry in a variety of forms. The competition’s mission is to aid Utah writers on their path to publication and broader recognition. Submissions must be original works and, with some exceptions, cannot be published or accepted for publication at the time of entry. Manuscripts are reviewed in a blind process by judges selected from outside of Utah. There is no entry fee, and it is open to all Utah residents age 18 and over. We're delighted to be partnering with Utah Humanities for the management of this year’s competition. Submit your work by July 1.
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Utah Public Art Request for Qualifications |
The Utah Public Art Program is excited to announce a new Request for Qualifications for the Utah Tech University McDonald Building project. The Art Selection Committee seeks sculptural artwork to be installed in an exterior courtyard area that will be developed as a sculpture garden. Utah Tech envisions that this area will be used for its multiple pathways to the McDonald Building, as well as a place where visitors may contemplate the beautiful art and landscaping. The deadline is July 15, and the budget is $164,000.
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We’re looking for 25 individuals who want to learn how to teach art-making to adults 55 and older. This Lifetime Arts course is recommended for anyone planning to run, teach, or sustain creative aging programs. The course will take place on Thursday, July 30 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Apply by July 2.
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Breaking Barriers Training |
Our Breaking Barriers program is accepting applications for our next cohort training, taking place virtually Aug. 19 through Sept. 23 on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon. This free training is for cultural organizations to enhance their knowledge of disability accessibility. Participants receive 12 hours of instruction over six weeks, as well as a one-hour consultation provided by Art Access staff. Participants will develop plans to make their physical sites and organizations more accessible to everyone. Apply by July 29.
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Grants for the FY27 year are opening soon. Folk Arts Apprenticeships open July 6, Individual Artist Advancement Grants open July 20, and Creative Aging Grants open Aug. 3. For more information and application instructions, visit our Project Grants page.
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| 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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| Our sister agency, the 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 requesting a branding kit on the America250 Utah website.
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Victoria Panella Bourns,
Division Director
Donna Law,
Commissioner
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| 3760 S. Highland Drive
Millcreek, UT 84106
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