General Information

Government Type

County

Entity

Salt Lake County

Public Body

Arts and Culture

Notice Information

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Notice Title

Advisory Board Meeting Minutes - Draft, unapproved minutes

Notice Type(s)

Meeting

Event Start Date & Time

June 4, 2026 11:30 AM

Event End Date & Time

June 4, 2026 10:00 PM

Description/Agenda

ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES Arts & Culture Advisory Board Meeting Thursday, June 4,2026 11:30 am Capitol Theater, Capitol Room 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, Emily Howesley, Isha Patel, John Yelland, Timothy Duffy Attendees: Brian Van Ausdal, James Cooper, Carrier Mercer, Jorge Rodriguez, Janell Payne, Christine Angulo, Jana Thomas, Dustin Lewis, Amanda Mulia, Emily Howesley, Isha Patel, Staff Members and Guests: Matt Castillo, Melinda Cavallaro, Lauren Curley, Angela Vanderwell, Samantha Thermos, Jenn Niedfeldt, Kelsey Ellis, Jeff Gwilliam, Cody Goetz, Sarah Dibble 1. Welcome - Ms. Mulia welcomed everyone; the meeting was called to order at 11:31am. 2. Welcome new Board Members - Each new member in attendance provided a brief introduction. Mr. Castillo introduced the new members who were unable to attend. 3. Review of Public Comments - No public comments. 4. Action Item: Approve of March 26,2026 meeting minutes. Ms. Howesley moved the request to approve the minutes. Ms. Mercer moved to second. Unanimously approved 5. Action Item: 2027 Preliminary Capital Project Request Overview and 2026 June Preservation Fee-Fund Project Budget Adjustment Mr. Castillo provided a brief introduction to this agenda item and introduced Mr. Gwilliam. Mr. Castillo explained that one of the first tasks undertaken each year is the development of capital project proposals for the following fiscal year. He noted that maintaining the County's cultural assets is a significant responsibility of the division. He outlined the two-step capital project approval process involving the Board. During the spring meeting, staff present proposed capital projects for the Board's consideration. At the subsequent July meeting, staff request Board approval of projects to be funded through either one or both funds; the Preservation Fee Fund, the Tourism, Recreation, Culture, Convention (TRCC) fund. Mr. Castillo emphasized that one of the Board's key responsibilities is to provide oversight of the capital projects. Once approved by the Board, the recommended projects are submitted to the Mayor's Office, where they are incorporated into the County's proposed budget. The proposed budget is then presented to the County Council in October. The Council typically spends approximately two months reviewing and deliberating on budget requests before adopting the final budget in December. The Board was provided with a list of proposed capital projects, including current budget estimates and a brief description of each project. The list was distributed to Board members prior to the meeting for review. Mr. Castillo explained that project priorities are determined through collaboration with Facilities Management, resident organizations, and staff to identify the most pressing needs and establish appropriate project rankings. He further explained that there are two primary sources of funding for capital projects. The first is the Preservation Fee Fund, which is supported through a fee added to ticket purchases. The second is the Tourist, Recreation, Culture, and Convention (TRCC) Fund, which is funded through sales tax revenues. The TRCC Fund supports capital projects across multiple Salt Lake County divisions, including Libraries, Parks and Recreation, the Planetarium, and others. Mr. Castillo noted that, due to limited funding availability, not all proposed projects will ultimately be approved. Mr. Gwilliam then provided a detailed review of each project listed. During the discussion of the Arts & Culture Website Rebuild project, Ms. Niedfeldt provided additional information regarding the need for the website redevelopment. Mr. Gwilliam then completed his review of the remaining proposed projects. The floor was opened for Board discussion and questions. Mr. Castillo presented the related action item concerning the adjustment of Preservation Fund allocations, noting that the Board has oversight responsibility for these funds. Mr. Gwilliam provided an overview of the complexities associated with the grand drape and fire curtain work. He explained that the architects and theater consultants have conducted thorough due diligence to ensure the project continues to move forward efficiently and in accordance with project requirements. Due to increased project costs, we are requesting an additional allocation of $840,000 from the Preservation Fund to fully support and complete the design phase of the project. There were no questions or discussion regarding this request. Ms. Angulo moved the request for approval of 2026 committee members. Ms. Thomas moved to second. Unanimously approved 6. ZAP 2026 Grant Cycle and Grants for Advancing Local Arts Agencies (GALAA) Overview. Ms. Ellis and Mr. Goetz provided the Board with a presentation outlining the 2026 grant process. Grant Timeline - Phase 1 - Eligibility: Opened March 2, 2026. - Phase 2 - Application Period: Opened April 1, 2026, and closed May 29, 2026. - Phase 3 - Review and Scoring: June through August, including Advisory Board review. Funding recommendations will be presented to the Salt Lake County Council in October. - Phase 4 - Awards: Award notifications will be issued to successful applicants, including funding amounts. Awardees will then execute grant agreements and complete related contractual requirements. Mr. Goetz reviewed the application process and highlighted several updates and improvements, including: - Launch of a new online grants management platform, Submittable. - Alignment of Tier I/Zoological and Tier II application timelines. - Updates to review criteria and scoring guidance, including clearer instructional language. - Introduction of a new grant opportunity: Grants for Advancing Local Arts Agencies. Application Summary - Tier I and Zoological: 22 current Tier I grantees, 1 new Tier I applicant, and 3 Zoological applicants. - Tier II: 218 completed applications were received from 202 organizations, including nonprofit organizations and 16 local arts agencies. This represents a 3% increase over the previous year. - Of the Tier II applicants, 35 were new applicants. - Of the 16 local arts agencies, 6 submitted gala applications. Ms. Thermos thanked the ZAP staff for their efforts in revising the application platform. She noted that the improvements have enhanced the Board's ability to review grantee information, provided greater clarity in the application questions, and made the overall process more streamlined and efficient. The Board was also provided with information regarding collaborative programs and workshops available to support Tier II grantees. The floor was opened for discussion and questions. 7. Launchpad Artist Incubation Program Overview Ms. Curley provided the Board with a slide presentation introducing the Launchpad Program, an initiative designed to empower emerging- to mid-career artists by supporting the creation and presentation of new works through expanded access to Arts & Culture venues, services, and resources. Ms. Curley explained that the program will utilize existing funding and does not require a new funding request. Funding will be drawn from unspent gift card balances that have remained dormant. These resources will be redirected to support artists in the community who may not have access to traditional funding opportunities, including those without 501(c)(3) status or those who are not yet at a stage in their careers to successfully compete for other grant programs. The program's mission is to: - Empower artists by removing financial and logistical barriers at Arts & Culture venues, allowing artists the freedom to create and perform new works. - Nurture artists by providing mentorship, curated workshops, and production opportunities that foster artistic and professional growth. - Strengthen artists by facilitating creative collaborations between Launchpad participants and experienced professional artists. Ms. Curley outlined the proposed nine-month pilot program, which will run from January through September 2027. During this period, a program fellow will provide mentorship and skill-building opportunities to the artist cohort. Participating artists will also have the opportunity to develop and present original evening-length works with production support from the program. The pilot will focus on multidisciplinary performing artists, reflecting the area in which Arts & Culture currently has the greatest resources and capacity. Participants will be able to select from a range of program offerings, including creative development support, rehearsal space, performance opportunities, and professional development workshops. Regarding the artist cohort, Ms. Curley stated that the program is specifically intended to support artists and collectives that do not have 501(c)(3) status. The cohort will consist of three Salt Lake County-based multidisciplinary artists or artist collectives. Program objectives include the creation of an original evening-length work (45-60 minutes), incorporation of multiple artistic disciplines, development of professional and creative skills, and establishment of stronger relationships with Arts & Culture. The program will also include one Utah-based professional multidisciplinary artist serving as a fellow. The fellow will receive a stipend in exchange for providing mentorship, facilitating workshops, and assisting with performance production. Objectives for the fellow include gaining experience in mentorship, arts administration, and curation; providing production support to local professional artists who may not have 501(c)(3) status; and deepening their relationship with Arts & Culture. The floor was then opened for discussion and questions. 8. Director updates - Mr. Castillo provided a brief update on the timeline for construction activities related to Abravanel Hall and UMOCA as part of the Sports, Entertainment, Culture, and Convention District project. At this time, there is no finalized timeline for the design and construction of the new UMOCA facility, nor for the back-of-house renovation and reconstruction work planned for Abravanel Hall. Recognizing the significant interest and urgency surrounding these projects-particularly given the anticipated displacement of the Symphony-staff are actively working to develop and refine project schedules. Additional details will be shared as they become available. Abravanel Hall and the Salt Palace are expected to remain operational through at least September 2027. However, uncertainty remains regarding construction activities during the 2027-2028 season. As a result, the booking calendar has largely been closed to new reservations while planning efforts continue. Staff are developing contingency plans and coordinating closely with the Symphony, UMOCA leadership, project staff, and the construction and design teams. Updates will be provided as the project progresses. Mr. Gwilliam also reported that construction is advancing well on the new Miller Arts Center. Site work is currently underway, including excavation and preparation of below-grade storage levels. Permit fees will be submitted shortly, and the team anticipates finalizing permitting requirements in the near term. If schedules remain on track, the first concrete pour for the foundation is expected to occur within the next two weeks. 9. Upcoming Important Dates a. June 5 - Salt Lake County America250 Feeding Our Future Kickoff - Viridian Event Center, 8-10pm . b. June 20 - 4th Annual Mariachi Festival at the Eccles Theater - 6-8pm. 10. Art Event Discussion - no time 11. Adjourn - Ms. Mulia adjourned the meeting at 1:02pm 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 Brian Van Ausdal 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

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Meeting Information

Meeting Location

Capitol Theater, Capitol Room
50 W 200 S
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

June 16, 2026 02:41 PM

Notice Last Edited On

June 16, 2026 02:44 PM

Audio File Address

Audio File Location

https://slco.webex.com/slco/ldr.php?RCID=a0b1f47403e6be265247d28b96b69aee

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