Cultural Industry Advocacy Day Recap:

The Utah State Capitol was abuzz with activity as we celebrated Cultural Industry Advocacy Day 2025!  With 285 registered attendees, members from our sector were able to meet with 99 of our 104 state legislators to discuss our priorities and deliver this year’s commissioned print by Fell Design.  A 4X6’ free standing panel with the culture map was featured in the rotunda and made for a great interactive activity as participants could color in the design.  In addition to the mural, we had 37 rotunda activities representing our state’s vast art, culture and humanities offerings and live performances by Repertory Dance Theatre, Sistema Utah and student pianists organized by Utah Music Teachers Association.  

What We’re Watching:

SB161: Cultural and Community Engagement Amendments: This bill remains a key focus. We are analyzing the specific amendments proposed and will provide a detailed breakdown of their potential effects on cultural organizations. We encourage members to review the current version of the bill on the legislative website and share any specific concerns with us.

SB137: Course Choice Empowerment: We are continuing to monitor this bill, particularly its potential impact on arts education within the broader context of course choice options. We are working to understand how this legislation might affect funding and resource allocation for arts programs in schools.

SB102: Public Education Funding Modifications: As this bill progresses, we are carefully examining its proposed modifications to public education funding. Understanding the specific funding formulas and how they might impact arts programs within the education system is a priority.

SCR2: Concurrent Resolution Encouraging Practices that Promote Child Independence: This concurrent resolution is a new addition to our tracking list. We are reviewing the specific practices encouraged within the resolution and assessing any potential implications for arts education and community programs serving children and youth. We will provide more information on how this resolution could interact with arts-related initiatives in next week's update.

How You Can Be Involved:

We encourage your active participation in the legislative process. Your engagement is crucial in ensuring the voice of the arts is heard. We encourage you to reach out to your legislators to express your views on these and other relevant bills. Follow the links to find contact information for the House and the Senate.

As always, you can peruse all bills going through the process on the  legislative website. Remember, your voice matters in this process.