A new year brings fresh beginnings and at CCE, we’re excited to help you make the most of new opportunities. As we step into 2026, we step into the year celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. We invite all Utahns to participate in this year of celebration and service.

In June, as part of the America250 Utah celebration, we will open a new museum celebrating Utah’s history, the Museum of Utah. Opening with a showcase of nearly 1,000 artifacts and works of fine art, treasures long cared for will now be shared to all who visit this new museum on Capitol Hill. 

This year, CCE is proud to provide new opportunities to learn, to connect, and to serve while keeping our communities at the heart of everything we do.

State and national leaders, led by the Governor, First Lady, and Lt. Governor, came together this week for a Literacy and Reading Symposium focused on practical ways to strengthen literacy rates across Utah. This is a priority for all during 2026, as data shows that only 50.3% of Utah’s third graders are meeting grade-level reading expectations. CCE is poised to play a critical role this year in supporting the state’s initiatives in schools, at home, and in the community. 

As the Utah State Library supports public libraries statewide, they will focus on amplifying youth programming and resources. STEM Action Center will build upon work in early math literacy in correlation with reading literacy. The Division of Multicultural Affairs will focus on policy recommendations to support literacy initiatives for Utah’s non-native English speakers and rural communities. UServe Utah’s AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members will continue to make a significant impact on student outcomes by tutoring and mentoring young people after school. This year provides an opportunity for CCE to do even more to promote literacy, working in partnership with state leaders, educators, community partners, and students. 

The Future of Farming is Here — And It’s in Utah Schools 

Utah schools and communities are discovering a new way to grow fresh, healthy food — without soil and with little water, thanks to the Utah STEM Action Center. Hydroponics programs are giving students and community members hands-on STEM experiences while producing crops year-round.

Through a partnership with the Utah STEM Action Center, schools and libraries are turning classrooms into living laboratories. These programs align with state curriculum standards, offering science, technology, and sustainability lessons, all while fostering collaboration and real-world problem-solving.

From pilot programs in 43 schools to hydrofarms at nine community sites with 40 modular units, Utah’s hydroponics initiative is expanding rapidly. These indoor systems use 90–95% less water than traditional farming, and can be scaled to increase yield — making local, year-round produce a reality even in limited spaces. This hands-on approach is more than just growing plants, it’s cultivating knowledge, curiosity, and a sustainable future.

Elementary students are gaining confidence and skills by working with Math Mentors, volunteers trained by the Utah STEM Action Center. Pilot data from the 2024–25 school year shows that 79% of students reported increased confidence, 80% put in more effort, 77% valued math more, and 83% said mentors helped them learn “quite a bit or a lot.” Educators and administrators confirmed the program’s success in building confidence and proficiency. Programs such as Math Mentors help students learn about mathematics, while laying the groundwork for future success in STEM and boosting skills in literacy and other subjects.

From Jan. 20 through Dec. 31, 2026, the Utah State Capitol will host “The Pen is Mightier: Writing a Revolution,” an exhibition exploring the power of communication in shaping history, civic life, and democratic change.

A highlight of the exhibition is a rare 1776 copy of Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense,” on loan from Special Collections at the J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah. “Common Sense” reflects a world where communication extended beyond the printed page — where the sounds of fifes and drums carried messages across towns and battlefields, uniting people around a shared cause. Alongside voices such as Abigail Adams, whose letters urged leaders to consider liberty more fully, the exhibition demonstrates how both written words and sound shaped revolutionary ideas and collective action.

Presented in partnership with Utah Division of Arts & Museums and America250 Utah, “The Pen is Mightier” touring exhibition may be coming to your community. See the schedule here. 

As Utahns set goals to read and learn more this year,  Utah’s Online Public Library offers 24/7 access to eBooks, audiobooks, research databases, newspapers, and interactive learning tools — making knowledge available anytime, anywhere. That access is driving real impact: through the Beehive Library Consortium on the Libby app, Utah libraries recorded more than 7.2 million digital checkouts in FY 2025, placing Utah among the highest-circulating Libby libraries worldwide.

Access also means reaching communities directly. The Utah County Bookmobile service has restored stops in Goshen and Genola, and added stops in Eureka in Juab County and Vernon in Tooele County, helping residents connect with books, information, and educational support. In FY 2025, all 60 public libraries in the state completed annual recertification, and a record-breaking 31 libraries earned the Quality Library Award, underscoring Utah’s commitment to high-quality, community-focused library service across the state. 

The Utah Historical Society, a division of Cultural & Community Engagement, will offer teacher professional development workshops through National History Day’s expanded federal grant funding from the U.S. Department of Education. The workshops, planned in 2026-2028 in Salt Lake, Weber, Davis, and Utah counties, will be aimed at helping educators learn and teach the skills needed for the Utah National History Day program. In 2025, more than 5,300 students acrossfrom throughout the state participated in the NHD program, with 457 students advancing to the state contest, while 63 qualified for the national contest in the Washington D.C. area. 

Educators, community members, and history enthusiasts are encouraged to learn more and get involved with Utah's National History Day program, including opportunities to serve as a judge and and support students as they share Utah’s stories on a national stage.

“A 2,500-pound petroglyph rock has been returned to the Utah-Idaho border after 80 years.”

“I wanted to find something that really was making an impact, a positive impact, in the community.” 

“A way for communities to revitalize and encourage preservation.”

“These places are important”. Stop cultural site vandalism. 

Our nine divisions work to achieve the overarching goal of building communities in all corners of the state. The Utah Department of Cultural & Community Engagement’s annual report explains the priorities of each division and the impact of their programs.

Administration

Donna Law

Executive Director

Katherine Potter

Deputy Director

Contact Us

Donna Law

Donnalaw@utah.gov

Find Us Online

https://community.utah.gov/

The Utah Department of Cultural & Community Engagement connects people, resources, and ideas to strengthen communities — in communities. By supporting local programs, educational initiatives, and collaborative projects, CCE helps foster meaningful impact, build capacity, and create opportunities for residents to engage and thrive.