General Information

Government Type

County

Entity

Salt Lake County

Public Body

Arts and Culture

Notice Information

Add Notice to Calendar

Notice Title

Arts & Culture advisory board meeting minute (Draft, unapproved minutes)

Notice Type(s)

Meeting

Event Start Date & Time

March 26, 2026 11:30 AM

Event End Date & Time

March 26, 2026 01:00 PM

Description/Agenda

ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES Arts & Culture Advisory Board Meeting Thursday, March 26,2026 11:30 am Eccles Theater, O.C. Tanner Lounge or Cisco WebEx Meeting Board Members: Essie Soul, Amanda Mulia (Chair), Jorge Rodriguez, Dustin Lewis, Jesus Jimenez-Vivanco, James Cooper, Carrier Mercer, Brian Van Ausdal (Vice Chair), Sharah Meservy, Janell Payne, Jana Thomas, A. Christine Angulo Attendees: Brian Van Ausdal, James Cooper, Carrier Mercer, Jorge Rodriguez, Janell Payne, Christine Angulo, Jana Thomas, Dustin Lewis, Amanda Mulia Staff Members and Guests: Matt Castillo, Melinda Cavallaro, Jacque Jones, Lauren Curley, Angela Vanderwell, Samantha Thermos 1. Welcome - Ms. Mulia welcomed everyone; the meeting was called to order at 11:3am. 2. Review of Public Comments - No public comments. 3. Action Item: Approve of Jan. 22,2026 meeting minutes. Mr. Van Ausdal moved the request to approve the minutes. Mr. Cooper moved to second. Unanimously approved 4. Action Item: 2026 Committee Member Nomination and Confirmation a. ZAP Tier II Advisory Board (1 Member) Mr. Castillo explained that, at the last Board meeting in January, Carrie Mercer had been elected to the position; however, due to a conflict of interest outlined in the Board's bylaws, she is unable to serve. Specifically, a Board member may not be an employee of an applicant or grantee organization. Board members who serve on the board of an applicant or grantee organization, however, are eligible to serve in this role. As a result, the Board is seeking another member who does not have a conflict of interest. No nominations were received in advance. Mr. Castillo and Ms. Thermos provided an overview of the responsibilities associated with the role, including reviewing applicant submissions-approximately 218 applications were received last year. The position also requires attendance at monthly two-hour virtual meetings from May through September, making funding recommendations, and participating in applicant events, for which two complimentary tickets are provided. Brian Van Ausdal and Jorge Rodriguez both self-nominated. Mr. Rodriguez subsequently withdrew his nomination, citing an inability to commit to the required schedule. b. Visual Art Acquisition Subcommittee Community Members- At this time, there are no members to present for con- sideration; therefore, no action is required on this item. Mr. Lewis moved the request for approval of 2026 committee members. Ms. Mulia moved to second. Unanimously approved 5. Board Schedule: Reschedule May 21 Board Meeting to June 4. Mr. Castillo explained that the May 21 Board meeting will be rescheduled two weeks later to June 4. Board members who anticipate being unable to attend are asked to notify staff, and the meeting will be rescheduled if necessary. An updated calendar invitation will be distributed. 6. Westside Culturefest Performer and Artist Vendor Applications Ms. Curley delivered a slide presentation providing an overview of the upcoming festival. The event will be held at the Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center on August 14-15, from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. each evening. Now in its fourth year-and its second year produced solely by Arts & Culture-the festival will feature performances across multiple venues, including the Main Stage, Studio 5400 Black Box, and the Centennial Room, which will highlight visual artists and exhibitions. The indoor lobby will include aerial performances and live music, while the outdoor plaza will host the Artist Market. Ms. Curley also presented a summary of the 2024 festival. The event featured over 250 performing artists and 20 art market vendors, with participation from 37 organizations. Notably, 65% of artist vendors, organizations, and groups were from the west side, and 82% were based in Salt Lake County. Total attendance exceeded 1,770 individuals. Applications are currently open in three categories: Art Market Vendors, Musicians, and Performers. Applications are available in both English and Spanish. To support applicants, a virtual application workshop will be held on March 30; it will also be recorded and made available for those unable to attend. Additional application questions have been included to help artists demonstrate how they meet established criteria. The festival seeks artists who express their work in meaningful ways that reflect community and culture, particularly those from the county's west side or whose work highlights west side communities. Priority is given to artists who preserve cultural traditions through performance or visual art and who foster cultural, community, and artistic appreciation. There is a 30% acceptance rate for applicants. Board members were asked to assist in promoting the opportunity within their networks. Informational links and resources will be distributed to the Board via email for sharing with prospective applicants. During the presentation questions were presented and answered. 7. Arts & Culture Division 2026 Sponsorship Opportunities Mr. Castillo presented a slide presentation to the Board outlining the sponsorship approach, a summary of 2025 sponsors, and the proposed 2026 sponsorship strategy. He explained that sponsorships are pursued to support community activation events, including Salt Lake Speaks, Voces en Bloom, the Mariachi Festival, Westside CultureFest, and Art in Public Places exhibitions. Sponsors receive recognition through email, social media, the website, venue and event signage, as well as access to sponsor lounges at select events. The strategy focuses on engaging community-oriented commercial and nonprofit organizations that aim to reach similar audiences. Sponsorship outreach typically begins in the spring and early summer for events held throughout the summer season. Event-level sponsorships range from $1,000 to $15,000, with benefits tailored to each event. Depending on the contribution level, benefits may include group or dedicated sponsor recognition, VIP event experiences, and food and beverage vouchers. Division-level sponsorships begin at $25,000 and include benefits across all events, along with division-wide recognition. Additional benefits vary by sponsorship level and may include enhanced recognition opportunities, VIP experiences, and food and beverage vouchers. A chart summarizing sponsors for 2025 and 2026 to date was presented to the Board, detailing sponsor names, the applicable year, and the events they supported. Mr. Castillo invited the Board to engage in discussion regarding new sponsorship development opportunities, including ideas for sponsorship strategies and potential introductions to prospective sponsors. A question-and-answer session followed. 8. 2025 Year in Numbers- Mr. Castillo presented a slide presentation on Venue Services, highlighting event activity, attendance, and utilization across all Arts & Culture venues. He shared a series of color-coded charts illustrating event counts and attendance trends for small, mid-size, and large performance spaces from 2022 through 2025. Overall, the data demonstrated consistent growth in attendance across most venues during this period. He noted an exception for Eccles Theater, where growth is more appropriately evaluated over three-year periods due to variability in touring Broadway productions. For example, in some years, a highly popular show-such as Wicked-may run for an extended engagement of up to six weeks, while in other years, comparable productions may not be on tour. Mr. Castillo reported that overall venue utilization is currently at 60%, which aligns with industry standards. In summary, the venues are fully utilized and frequently exceed industry averages, with utilization steadily increasing since the post-pandemic reopening. He also highlighted a shift in client usage between the Rose Wagner and Mid-Valley venues, with Mid-Valley continuing to experience growth while Rose Wagner has stabilized. Larger venues remain more dependent on primary presenters, with fluctuations in event numbers and attendance closely tied to key partners such as Broadway at Eccles, the Utah Symphony, and Ballet West. Mr. Castillo also highlighted the continued growth of Community Activation efforts. A chart was presented outlining event counts and attendance from 2023 through 2025. In 2023, there were six events with a total attendance of 2,726. In 2024, eight events were held, drawing 4,315 attendees. In 2025, seven events were hosted, with attendance increasing to 5,614. A similar chart was shared to illustrate artist participation. In 2023, a total of 261 artists participated, including 78 who were new to Arts & Culture. In 2024, participation increased to 317 artists, with 47 new participants. In 2025, the total number of artists rose to 416, including 39 new to Arts & Culture. Mr. Castillo presented findings from the Audience Intercept Survey, which consists of brief, on-site surveys conducted during community activation events. The survey captures information such as first-time attendance, their zip code of residence, and likelihood of returning. In 2025, a total of 434 responses were collected, representing approximately 8% of attendees. Of those surveyed, 73% indicated it was their first time attending an event at the venue, and 96% reported they were likely to return in the future. He concluded his presentation by reviewing the Patron Satisfaction Survey distributed through our ticketing services, ArtTix. He explained that the survey is organized into categories related to each venue-such as building cleanliness and staff friendliness-rather than the specific show or event attended. Overall, patrons reported a strong experience, with an average rating of 4.70 and 94% of responses reflecting scores of 4 or 5. 9. Director updates - Mr. Castillo announced the groundbreaking of the Miller Arts Center and shared a video highlighting the event. He noted that construction is now underway, with the facility scheduled to open in 2028. 10. Upcoming Important Dates a. April 15 - Visual Art Collect Acquisition Exhibition Opening- an email will be sent to the Board with more information. 11. Art Event Discussion Ms. Mulia opened the floor for discussion, and a brief exchange of comments followed. 12. Adjourn - Ms. Mulia adjourned the meeting at 12:48pm 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) o Amanda Mulia - Chair o Brian Van Ausdal - Vice Chair - Resident Review Committee (3-5 members - renews every three years) o Amanda Mulia Chair o - Art Selection Committee (1 member - renews annually) through 2027 o Jim Cooper - Nominating Committee (2-3 members - renews annually) through 2027 o Jana Thomas o Sharah Meservy o Brian Van Ausdal - 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 2027 o o 2026 Advisory Board Meeting Schedule January 22 March 26 May 21 change to June 4 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 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 Jim Cooper 4 Feb-2028 1 Carrie Mercer 5 Feb-2028 1 Brian Van Ausdal 6 Feb-2028 1 Amanda Mulia 6 Jun-2026 1 Vacant Vacant Vacant Committee Term Through Committee Term Through

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: 2496 236 0915 Password: vwND4Z3Jtv7

Meeting Information

Meeting Location

Eccles Theater, O.C. Tanner Lounge
131 South Main Street
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

March 26, 2026 03:05 PM

Notice Last Edited On

March 26, 2026 03:05 PM

Audio File Address

Audio File Location

https://slco.webex.com/slco/ldr.php?RCID=4dc5a8f241cad961da02c488a6eef5d2

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