The Cedar City Arts Council works to build our arts community through mini-grants, promotion of events, and networking socials.
Mini-grants for individuals and organizations are up to $500. The next deadline is Feb. 28 and the application is on this website under support. These mini-grants have helped launch many local organizations and added value to our arts community. Our ten year celebration of these grants so you can see the breadth of support. https://www.cedarcityartscouncil.org/july-social-and-you-are-invited/ We have awarded $85,0000 in grants since 2008. Just this past year we helped get the Kolob Canyon String Camp move to Cedar City, helped get a percussion festival started with national clinicians, provided funds for refurbishing instruments so Beryl Elementary can have an orchestra, supported the community Nutcracker ballet performance, and a mini-grant is supporting movement and art classes for the mentally disabled. Several local bands got their equipment start from mini-grants including 8eez, Runaway Fire, and Coyote Bluegrass. Fabric workshops, literary readings, art display lights for the Watercolor Society, the lights for the Iron County Acoustic Music Association shows, and many other community projects have been facilitated by the mini-grant program.
Public Socials: Three times a year we host a public social with presenters and refreshments to connect our arts community and to celebrate accomplishments. Most recently we honored Shauna Mendini with our annual Arts Service Award.
Final Friday Art Walks: On the last Friday of the month from June through September we arrange music at several venues from Artisans Gallery to the Southern Utah Museum of Art. Artists set up displays, mostly at the corner of 100 West Center Street from 5 to 8 p.m. Contact Sara Penny at cedarcityartscouncil@gmail.com if you would like to be involved.
Monthly electronic arts newsletters to help connect the arts community and the public. We also have active social media on Facebook and Instagram and our motto is “Relentless Arts Advocacy”. Part of our mission is to promote our local artists and organizations. We are rebuilding audiences after the pandemic and are excited to share our joy in the arts. The newsletters are also posted on Facebook and Instagram to help share events and arts information.
The Cedar City Arts Council hosts a Literary Group every other month led by Mary Anne Andersen. They alternate discussing fiction and non-fiction books. They meet at the Cedar Main Street Books on the first Wednesday at 7 p.m. The next meeting is March 6 and the book is Strength for What Remains, by Tracy Kidder. It is the story of one man’s inspiring American journey. It introduces the ordinary people who helped him, providing a brilliant testament to the power of second chances. You are welcome to come and share in the discussion.
We are thrilled with all of the opportunities in the community to be involved in the arts. At the request of the state PTA we created a resource of arts education for children. It is on this website under Education. Let us know of any corrections or additions that need to be made. Under Arts Resources on this website you can find contact information for the arts groups. Jubilio and the Master Singers are happy to have new singers. The community theatre groups offer opportunities to the community both on and offstage. It is really remarkable how many flourishing arts groups we have in the area. Attendance has started to rebound after the isolation of Covid. Our Orchestra of Southern Utah was one of the few orchestras that kept performing during the pandemic with testing, masks, and other precautions.
In conjunction with the Cedar Heritage and Livestock Festival we coordinate an art and photography exhibit at the Diamond Z for students from kindergarten through high school. Prizes are provided by the Festival and Randy Seely has built exhibit boards and directs hanging the exhibit and judging.
Local Arts Agency designation by the Mayor and City Council renewed in 2023 for the Cedar City Arts Council.
Weekly Column in the Iron County Today, currently written by Mary Anne Andersen. This is to promote art participation and recognition as we build our arts community.
Volunteers are always welcome for the Cedar City Arts Council. People who are interested in the arts. We especially appreciate those who can organize events and help build our arts community.
We appreciate the businesses who provide membership discounts. Members join annually to support all of these projects on this website under support Levels range from students at $10 to organizations at $50. If you would like to offer a business discount to members contact Sally Hunter or Sara Penny to be on the revised brochure that is currently under production. Donors are also welcome and we are a 501 (c) 3 non-profit. Our other financial support comes from the Utah Division of Arts and Museums and the local Recreation, Arts, and Parks tax. Thanks to those of you who voted to reauthorize RAP in the November election.
The Arts Council was active in the 1990s and then languished. Carol Ann Modesitt led the effort to get the Arts Council reinvigorated and non-profit status was awarded in 2003. Due to missing a tax report we lost our federal status. Bruce Hughes took over as treasurer and was able to get us reinstated in 2013. It was an ordeal when a clerk typed Cedar Rapids instead of Cedar City, but Bruce persevered. He makes sure all the compliance forms are filed properly now and we appreciate his help. A non-profit is like a business with an extra layer of reporting.
Part of the CCAC Board at the August 2023 Social at IMPAC
