Jan. 20 marked the kickoff of the 67th Utah Legislative Session, providing an opportunity for the state’s  lawmakers to shape policy and funding that impacts urban and rural communities. The Capitol complex now includes the North Capitol Building which, in addition to adding new public meeting rooms, will include the Museum of Utah slated for opening on June 27. 

Exhibits are being installed on the first floor of the North Capitol Building, and the state's historic art and artifacts are being moved to storage in the garden level. Through these spaces, residents can engage with Utah’s rich past while exploring ways to contribute to the state’s creative and civic future. This February newsletter highlights the many ways Utahns are making a difference through service, creativity, and community involvement.

The Museum of Utah is designed to connect past, present, and future through stories that reflect the experiences of Utahns. The Museum Store, located on the main floor of the North Capitol Building opened Wednesday, Feb. 4, providing an opportunity for visitors to engage with Utah’s history, creativity, and community prior to the Museum’s opening.

Guided by the Museum’s four gallery themes — "Becoming," "Building," "Inspiring," and "Connecting" — the store’s selections are curated to reflect the narratives presented in the galleries:

According to Aja Macheel, Museum store manager, “We prioritize highlighting Utah makers and sourcing products from the state and surrounding region. Each item is intentionally selected to support the Museum’s mission of sharing Utah’s stories with all audiences..”

Historic Van Frank Murals Installed in North Capitol Building

The North Capitol Building now features five historic murals by Utah artist E. Merrill Van Frank, providing viewers with a visual celebration of the state’s history. These murals, created during Utah’s Centennial era, reflect both the artist’s vision and the spirit of the period. An additional Van Frank mural is located in the East Senate Building.

The Ward House Celebration mural, located on the east wall of the building’s second floor, depicts a lively mid-19th-century community scene, highlighting the resilience and vitality of Utah’s early residents. The other four murals, Saltair, Fort Douglas Bandstand, Salt Lake Theatre, and Silver Lake Winter Sports, are displayed on the third and fourth floor balconies, which are not generally accessible to the public. Together, these matching works portray life in Utah around the turn of the 20th century, capturing leisure, entertainment, and cultural development. 

The murals were generously donated to the Utah Division of Arts & Museums in 2018 by Roger and Sheila Van Frank, son and daughter-in-law of the artist, ensuring these historically significant works remain accessible to the public. Much like Utah’s Centennial-era origins, the murals celebrate milestones in the state’s history, echoing the spirit of community and achievement still honored today during America250. 

In 1776, while leaders in Philadelphia were signing the Declaration of Independence, Spanish explorers Francisco Atanasio Domínguez and Silvestre Vélez de Escalante were traveling across the landscapes of what is now Utah. Their expedition, along with the experiences of Indigenous communities and later settlers, helped lay the foundations for Utah’s culture, communities, and civic life.

On Jan. 8, community members convened at the Utah State Capitol to examine how events in the American West in 1776 contributed to the development of present-day Utah. The panel discussion traced historical connections from the Domínguez–Escalante expedition through subsequent settlement and community formation.

Panelists Nicole Handy (director, America250 Utah); Chris Merritt (director, Utah State Historic Preservation Office); Sondra Jones (historian of Ute history and Indigenous enslavement); Rebecca Andersen (historian of Mormon settlement and cultural landscapes); Dustin Jansen (director of the Utah Division of Indian Affairs and American Indian studies scholar); and Armando Solórzano (Latino history and ethnic studies scholar) shared perspectives spanning archaeology, Indigenous history, Latino heritage, and cultural landscapes. Together, the panelists highlighted the value of historical understanding in informing contemporary civic life and future planning.

The event was hosted in collaboration with America250 Utah, Utah Historical Society and the Utah State Historic Preservation Office and was inspired by the historic paintings displayed in the Utah State Capitol Rotunda. The discussion connected 250 years of Utah history to current community conversations as part of the "Echoes of ’76: Utah’s 250 Years of Impact" series, supporting preparations for the 250th anniversary of the United States.

In his 2027 budget proposal, Governor Cox requested $100,000 to expand the Volunteer for Good high school service program. This innovative high school service engagement effort has received national attention, most recently during the November National Governors Association Summit where the Governor joined UServeUtah Executive Director Loggins Merrill to highlight service-to-career pathways. In its second year, the Volunteer for Good pilot program has engaged 11,536 Utah high school students, who have completed 119,394 hours of service, generating an estimated $4,151,986 in economic impact. Since August 2025, 342 One Utah Service Fellowship participants have contributed 65,915 hours of service, and recruited or managed 1,824 volunteers this program year. Cumulatively, fellows have completed 372,226 hours of service, and recruited or managed 13,315 volunteers. 

More than 400 volunteers came together on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday to support UServe Utah’s ’s "United in Service" project, a collaboration between UServeUtah and Thanksgiving Point. Volunteers assembled 500 overnight kits for families staying at Ronald McDonald House and 2,000 weekend meal packs for school-aged children in the Alpine School District. Additional care packages supported the Five.12 Foundation, helping meet basic needs across the community.

This project also marked Utah’s kickoff for America Gives, the national initiative inviting everyone to serve their communities ahead of the country’s 250th anniversary. Utah, long recognized as a national leader in volunteerism, is taking a central role in the campaign to create the largest recorded volunteer effort in U.S. history. Across the state, individuals and organizations are being challenged to find service opportunities, track their hours, and share stories to inspire others. Lieutenant Governor Deidre Henderson said: “Utahns have always stepped up to serve their communities, and through America Gives, we’re encouraging even more participation. Every Utahn who logs five or more service hours will receive a special 250th anniversary certificate.”

On Jan. 29, students from across Utah gathered at the Utah State Capitol for STEM Day on the Hill, an immersive experience designed to take learning beyond the classroom and into the heart of innovation and public leadership. More than 90 fifth- and sixth-grade students from two schools participated in a field trip that connected them directly with 26 industry, government, and education partners, all showcasing how STEM skills shape Utah’s future.

STEM Day on the Hill celebrates local organizations that provide meaningful STEM experiences and introduce students to a wide range of STEM careers. Exhibitors included STEM industry leaders, local museums, STEM-focused organizations, student robotics teams, and mining professionals — each offering hands-on activities such as virtual reality, animal artifacts, microscopes, electricity demonstrations, 3D design, mining demonstrations that showcased how geology, engineering, and technology work together, stop-motion filmmaking, and more. These interactive experiences highlighted the exciting and diverse career opportunities available across STEM fields.

The event featured remarks from Vance Checketts, Chair of the STEM Action Center Board and a longtime technology executive whose career includes leadership roles at Dell EMC, Oracle, and other high-growth tech companies. Drawing on his experience building Utah’s tech workforce, Vance emphasized the state’s growing tech pipeline and the critical role computer science education plays in preparing students for future careers.

Event highlights included an all-female robotics team, the Cubed ET’s; a fourth-grade science fair winner showcasing his project; live drone demonstrations with USU Extension; and hands-on wildlife learning with HawkWatch and the Ogden Nature Center. By stepping outside the classroom and learning directly from professionals, students were able to see themselves as the innovators, problem-solvers, and leaders who will shape Utah’s workforce and communities for generations to come.

Utah high school students are finding their voices through Poetry Out Loud, a statewide program hosted by the Utah Division of Arts & Museums that combines performance, literacy, and self-expression in classrooms across the state.

Poetry Out Loud strengthens literacy by helping students read closely, interpret complex texts, and engage deeply with language. Through the study and performance of classic and contemporary poems, students build reading comprehension, expand vocabulary, and develop analytical and public speaking skills. 

Local competitions lead to regional and state finals, with the Utah state champion representing the state at the national Poetry Out Loud finals in Washington, D.C. April 27–29, 2026. UA&M has proudly hosted Poetry Out Loud in Utah since 2006.

UA&M also sponsors Poetry Ourselves, a statewide poetry writing competition celebrating student talent. Utah high school students were invited to submit their own poetry in English or Spanish, with winners recognized at the Poetry Out Loud event.

Important Utah Dates

What does a 150-year-old bottle of alcohol taste like? High West investigates

North Capitol Building finally completes century-old visionary plan for historic Capitol Hill site

Inside Utah's new, “one-of-a-kind” North Capitol Building

Archaeologists Uncover Vandalism to Ghost Town Ruins

Utah marks 130th year of statehood, plans grand opening of new museum

Utah's America250 exhibit is on display at the Utah State Capitol

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.