General Information

Government Type

County

Entity

Salt Lake County

Public Body

Arts and Culture

Notice Information

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Notice Title

Arts & Culture Advisory Board Meeting minutes

Notice Type(s)

Meeting

Event Start Date & Time

November 20, 2025 11:30 AM

Event End Date & Time

November 20, 2025 01:00 PM

Description/Agenda

ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES Arts & Culture Advisory Board Meeting Thursday, Nov. 20,2025 11:30 am Capitol Theater, Capitol Room or Cisco WebEx Meeting Board Members: Bing Fang (Vice Chair), Essie Soul, Megan West, Amanda Mulia (Chair), Jorge Rodriguez, Dustin Lewis, Jesus Jimenez-Vivanco, James Cooper, Carrier Mercer, Brian Van Ausdal, Sharah Meservy, Janell Payne, Jana Thomas, A. Christine Angulo Attendees: Bing Fang, Amanda Mulia, Brian Van Ausdal, James Cooper, Carrier Mercer, Essie Soul, Sharah Meservy, Christine Angulo, Jana Thomas Staff Members and Guests: Matt Castillo, Melinda Cavallaro, Jeff Gwilliam, Jacque Jones, Jenn Niedfeldt, Justin Green 1. Welcome - Ms. Mulia welcomed everyone; the meeting was called to order at 11:33am. 2. Review of Public Comments - No public comments. 3. Action Item: Approve of Sept. 25,2025 meeting minutes. Mr. Van Ausdal moved the request to approve the minutes. Mr. Fang moved to second. Unanimously approved 4. Action Item: 2026 Board Officers Mr. Castillo advised that, as this is the final meeting of the year, the Board is required to elect a Chair and Vice Chair. In accordance with our by-laws, officers are encouraged to serve for two consecutive years, and Board members may serve two consecutive terms. Amanda Mulia has agreed to continue as Chair for a second year. We also received a self-nomination from Brian Van Ausdal for the Vice Chair position. The floor was opened for additional nominations; however, no further nominations were submitted. Mr. Castillo also informed the Board during the January 2026 meeting that the committees listed on the agenda will need to be filled. He provided a brief overview of the responsibilities associated with each committee. Mr. Cooper moved the request for approval of 2026 Board Chair and Vice Chair Nominations. Mr. Fang moved to second. Unanimously approved 5. Action Item: Fee Waiver Request - Chabad Lubavitch Nightly Menorah Lighting on Abravanel Hall Plaza Ms. Cavallaro informed the Board that Rabbi Zipple, representing Chabad Lubavitch, has requested permission to place a Menorah on the Abravanel Hall Plaza. This request has been made for several consecutive years, and the organization has previously received fee waivers for the installation. The Menorah is a passive display, illuminated each evening during Hanukkah, and provides an opportunity for community members to visit and enjoy the installation as part of the seasonal celebrations recognizing the various holidays observed during this time of year. Mr. Castillo reviewed with the Board the Fee Waiver Request Procedures and Review Criteria, which had been emailed to members prior to the meeting. The review criteria include compliance with established guidelines, financial impact, public benefit, event outreach and promotion, the organization's demonstrated financial need, and the proposal's alignment with the agency's mission, priorities, and objectives. He also noted that the fee waiver application submitted by Chabad Lubavitch was distributed via email prior to the meeting for the Board's review. Ms. Cavallaro further noted that this request is identical to last year's, which was approved by the Board. The Menorah display has been well received by the community and has become a familiar and appreciated feature of the seasonal decorations at Abravanel Hall Plaza in recent years. A discussion ensued regarding the Chabad Lubavitch application. Board members' questions were addressed. The Board was informed once this was approved it would be forward to the County Council for approval. Mr. Cooper moved the request for approval of fee waiver request. Mr. Fang moved to second. Unanimously approved 6. Arts for Everyone Marketing Campaign Overview - Justin Green Mr. Castillo introduced Mr. Green, Marketing Manager for Arts & Culture. Mr. Green presented an overview of the Arts for Everyone Campaign to the Board. Campaign Purpose: The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness of the rich and diverse arts and culture landscape in Salt Lake County. Arts & Culture received a grant from the Utah Office of Tourism to support this initiative and collaborated with an external consultant to develop campaign messaging and creative materials that promote the local arts and culture community. The creative agency HUB developed the campaign artwork and copy concepts, resulting in two ad variations designed for flexibility and reach: - Art for Every _____ (occasion, family, emotion, community, etc.) - _____ for Everyone (music, theatre, or other genres) Photos were sourced from 14 ZAP grantees, and a range of genre-specific ads were created to highlight individual organizations. Each ad directed audiences to the campaign website, ArtForEveryoneSLCO.org, serving as a central landing page for engagement. Campaign Platforms and Results: - Social Media & Website: 1,225 page views, 570 users - Digital Billboards (throughout Salt Lake County): Approximately 200,440 impressions - City Journal: Total readership of 296,899; distributed to 206,180 households - Venue Promotions: Posters, digital signage, and website banners - Marketing Emails: 217 clicks linking to Art for Everyone Mr. Green demonstrated the campaign landing page, highlighting its interactive features. Each photo on the page links to details about the featured organization, including its website, performers, and additional information. Visitors can also select 'Find Upcoming Events,' which directs them to three event listings: - SL County Arts & Culture Events - Now Playing Utah Events - ZAP Grantee Events Additional campaign ads included variations such as Art for Every Occasion and Theater for Everyone. Mr. Green explained that moving forward, the team will produce three additional ads, increase the number of posters and digital signage within venues, reallocate a significant portion of the print advertising budget to social media to enhance digital engagement, and collaborate with a consultant to improve the agency's ability to track and analyze engagement data. Following the presentation, the floor was opened for questions from the Board. All questions were addressed and answered. 7. 2025 Community Engagement Activation Events Overview - Matt Castillo, Jenn Niedfeldt Ms. Niedfeldt presented an overview of the Community Engagement Activation's events to the Board, highlighting several successful community and cultural programs, including Steppin' on Main, SL Speaks: Slam Poetry Exhibition, the 3rd Annual Mariachi Festival, SL Speaks: Feelings of Fall, and Voces en Bloom, 2nd Westside CultureFest, and The Great Salt Lake: An Uplifting Artistic Oasis Open House. These events were developed from our 2020 Master Plan Recommendations: Increase access and equity to facilities for artists and arts organization. Increase the profile of the Arts & Culture Division as a regional asset. Encourage collaboration across the region. These are the Division's community engagement goals we are working to achieve: - Directly amplify and support the work of artists and arts organizations throughout the County. - Build and foster meaningful partnerships with community groups and County entities. - Broaden community participation through direct engagement, with particular focus on communities that have historically had lower levels of involvement. - Support the development of new clients, residents, and patrons through inclusion, open dialogue, and a strengthened community presence. Event Highlights: - Steppin' on Main: A partnership between The Blocks Art District, Tin Angel Café, and Eccles Theater offering free public performances. The series featured 13 consecutive events and drew 2,459 attendees. Events were hosted in the lobby and on the theater steps with the NanaWall open, creating an engaging indoor/outdoor experience. Ms. Niedfeldt shared the event calendar and highlighted the diversity of participating artists and groups. - Eccles presents SL Speaks: Slam Poetry Exhibition: Now in its fifth year, this event featured 10 local poets and attracted 435 attendees for 2.5 hours of poetry. Notably, 61% of survey respondents reported attending Eccles for the first time. With the NanaWall open, the performances extended into Main Street, allowing for a rolling audience experience. - 3rd Annual Mariachi Festival: Presented in partnership with Eccles Theater, The Blocks Art District, Utah Presents, and the Consulate of Mexico, this festival included 41 performers and welcomed 1,278 attendees. The event featured a VIP donor lounge and showcased four hours of continuous Mariachi performances, activating both the lobby and Delta Hall. Sponsorship and community engagement were particularly strong this year. - SL Speaks: Feelings of Fall: This poetry event featured 15 local poets performing in 10 different languages, accompanied by two local musicians. The evening attracted 182 attendees and ran for 2.5 hours, with the NanaWall open to invite audience engagement from Main Street. Several poets incorporated live music into their performances. - Voces en Bloom 2nd year: The summer series concluded with Voces en Bloom on McCarthey Plaza. This year's event featured two national headliners and two local artists, delivering five hours of live music to 470 attendees. The event received sponsorship from 12 partners totaling $30,000, and Level Crossing Brewing provided a local craft beer tent. Survey data showed that 75% of attendees were first-time visitors to Eccles, and 25% learned about the event through word of mouth. - Westside CultureFest 3rd year, held at Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center in Taylorsville. 2-day event promoting local artists, free event for the community. 293 individuals performing, 34 new groups new to Arts & Culture, 1771 attendees, 10 hours of performance, earned media- Fox 13 Good Day Utah. - Art in Public Places Exhibition Reception- The Great Salt Lake: An uplifting Artistic Oasis Open House at the SL County Government Center. Ms. Niedfeldt also reviewed the marketing strategies used to promote these events and shared insights from the community impact survey, noting the plan to continue data collection to measure engagement and reach. Upcoming Events: - Annual Lights On at the Eccles - November 24: A free, family-friendly evening event kicking off the holiday season. Featuring live entertainment and tasty treats. Art created by Brooke Smart and Jeremy Morgan. - Board & Committee Holiday Reception - December 18 6:30-8:30pm. The floor was opened up for questions and comments. Asked for any feedback, we are always looking to improve these events. 8. Larry H. & Gail Miller Arts Enter Updates- Matt Castillo Mr. Castillo presented the architectural design to the Board, highlighting the building layout and planned spaces. He also reviewed a project timeline chart outlining key milestones from 2024 through 2028, noting which stages have been completed and which remain in progress. He reported that sculptor Ben Butler has been selected to create the exterior artwork, and artist April Wagner has been chosen for the interior lobby installation. The project remains on schedule to break ground next year, likely in early February, with the facility projected to open in 2028. The Board was then shown renderings of the new art center. 9. Director Updates - Matt Castillo Mr. Castillo provided an update on the Sports, Entertainment, Cultural, and Convention District, which encompasses the Delta Center, Abravanel Hall, UMOCA, and the Salt Palace. He noted that the County has engaged a team of four architectural firms to support the County's portion of the development, specifically involving the Salt Palace, Abravanel Hall, and UMOCA. He reported that the project is currently in Phase I, which will continue through January 15, 2026. The conceptual plan anticipates a full rebuild of UMOCA, reconstruction of the back-of-house areas at Abravanel Hall, and the sale of the west portion of the Salt Palace to the Sports Entertainment Group for development into a large pedestrian gathering space. The eastern side of the Salt Palace is planned for redevelopment as well. All conceptual planning is underway, and a finalized vision for the district is expected by January 15, 2026. 10. Upcoming Important Dates - Matt Castillo Nov 24 - Light On! At Eccles Holiday Installation Unveiling Dec 18 - Arts & Culture Joint Board Holiday Event Feb 11 - Abravanel Hall Historical Designation Plaque Unveiling 11. Art Event Discussion - Board members were invited to share events. 12. Adjourn - Ms. Mulia adjourned the meeting at 12:54pm Mission Support arts and culture in Salt Lake County with premiere Spaces, Places, and Services. Values 1. Foster arts and culture county-wide 2. Good stewards of public venues and funds 3. Provide an exceptional patron experience. 4. Support Resident arts groups with a home to create, work, and perform. Arts & Culture Advisory Board Committee Assignments - Executive Committee (Chair & Vice Chair - renews annually) through 2025 o Amanda Mulia - Chair o Bing Fang - Vice Chair - Resident Review Committee (3-5 members - renews every three years) through 2026 o Bing Fang Vice Chair o Amanda Mulia Chair o - Art Selection Committee (1 member - renews annually) through 2025 o Jorge Rodriquez - Nominating Committee (2-3 members - renews annually) through 2025 o Dustin Lewis o Essie Soul - ZAP Tier 1 Review Board (1 member - renews annually) through 2027 o Amanda Mulia - ZAP Tier 2 Review Board (1-2 members - renews annually) through 2025 o Ryan Riches o 2026 Advisory Board Meeting Schedule January 22 March 26 May 21 July 9 September 24 November 19 People with disabilities should make requests for reasonable accommodation at least 48 hours in advance to attend this meeting. Accommodations may include alternate formats, interpreters, and other auxiliary aids. Arts & Culture Advisory Board meetings are held in accessible facilities. For questions, requests, or additional information, please contact Krystal at 385-468-1014. In accordance with Division by-laws, Board Members may attend Board Meetings and give consent to action items electronically. Arts & Culture Advisory Board Member District Term End Date Term Sharah Meservy 1 Feb-2028 1 Essie Soul 1 Jan-2028 2 Jorge Rodriguez 1 Jun-2026 1 Megan West 1 Jan-2026 2 Janell Payne 2 Feb-2028 1 Jana Thomas 2 Feb-2028 1 Alexandra Angulo 3 Feb-2028 1 Jesus R. Jimenez-Vivanco 3 Dec-2026 1 Dustin Lewis 3 Jun-2026 1 Bing Fang 4 Jan-2026 2 James Cooper 4 Feb-2028 1 Ryan Riches 5 Aug-2025 2 Carrie Mercer 5 Feb-2028 1 Brian Van Ausdal 6 Feb-2028 1 Amanda Mulia 6 Jun-2026 1

Notice of Special Accommodations (ADA)

Reasonable accommodations (including auxillary communicative aids and services) for individuals with disabilities may be provided upon receipt of a request with three working days notice. For assistance, please call V/385-468-2351; TDD/385-468-3600

Notice of Electronic or Telephone Participation

Cisco Webex Website Address: https://www.webex.com/ click 'Join' in the top right corner and then enter the meeting number information. Or Call In Phone Numbers +1-213-306-3065 Meeting Number: 2480 849 0544 Password: cnRywydm233 1. Welcome

Meeting Information

Meeting Location

Capitol Theatre- Capitol Room
50 W 200 So.
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
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Contact Name

Jacque Jones

Contact Email

jjones@slco.org

Contact Phone

(385)468-1014

Notice Posting Details

Notice Posted On

November 20, 2025 02:28 PM

Notice Last Edited On

January 23, 2026 07:37 AM

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Audio File Location

https://slco.webex.com/slco/ldr.php?RCID=fba57278b8607116c0771d681ba9a99e

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