15 cultural organizations to receive emergency CARES Act relief funding

Fifteen Utah organizations that were impacted by the loss of concerts, live theater and tourism have been approved for emergency relief funding. The $9 million in grants was appropriated by the Utah Legislature from federal CARES Act funds and was distributed by the Utah Division of Arts & Museums.

The organizations that will receive funds are among the state’s largest entertainment venues and cultural groups, with anticipated combined losses of over $100 million since the beginning of the pandemic.

“This funding opportunity provides critical support for Utah’s flagship museums and arts organizations as they pivot to share their talents and exhibitions,” said Victoria Bourns, directors of the Division of Arts & Museums. “Our goal is to have these organizations open to us when the pandemic ends.”

Only organizations with an operating budget of more than $5 million qualified for the grants. The funding must be partially used to host an event or activity that will increase visitors and tourism.

An additional $7.5 million for the grants was approved by legislators during their Aug. 20 special session. Legislative changes to the program eliminated the annual budget threshold. Updated grant guidelines for the second round of funding will be announced by the Utah Division of Arts & Museums in early September.

The organizations who will receive funding include Ballet West, Broadway Media, Dan Farr Productions/Fan X, Hale Centre Theatre in Sandy, Loveland Living Planet Aquarium, MagicSpace Entertainment, Maverik Center, Natural History Museum of Utah, Red Butte Garden, Sundance Institute, Thanksgiving Point, Tuacahn Center for the Arts, Utah’s Hogle Zoo, Utah Shakespeare Festival and Utah Symphony/Utah Opera.