During the 2022 General Session, legislators embarked upon a new approach to grant funding for arts, heritage, culture, events, and economic development. They attempted to balance the Legislature’s constitutional role in appropriating with a desire for greater accountability and transparency from grant recipients. To do so, they reworked pass-through funding at the Department of Cultural and Community Engagement and Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO). For grants made by both departments, policymakers established two paths – an application path managed by executive branch agencies, and a pass-through path directed by legislative intent (see language below)
The Legislature added two new competitive grant programs at CCE, the Capital Facilities Program and the Heritage and Events Program. These new additions complement CCE’s current operationally focused grant program, the Arts Sustainability Grant Program (now deemed the Arts and Museums Grant Program) which will continue to provide operational support to non-profit cultural and arts organizations within the state. The Capital Facilities Grant Program is a continuation of a pilot program initially funded during the 2021 General Session. Funds allocated for this program will be used to help organizations with new construction, renovations, remodeling, and consulting for major capital projects. The Heritage and Events Grant Program will focus primarily on events that enhance the culture of Utah including festivals, heritage celebrations, fairs, and others.
The Legislature also created an operation-focused competitive grant program within GOEO. The Economic Assistance Grant program will provide funding to organizations, projects, and programs that create and/or retain high quality jobs, improve state revenues, or otherwise enhance the economy of the State of Utah. In addition to $4.5 million ongoing General Fund, the Legislature also allocated $4.5 million one-time in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds targeted at Event Service Revitalization. ARPA funds will be used to help Utah-based privately owned event providers and businesses still struggling with the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Funding for the new and existing competitive and pass-through grants can be seen in the table below, followed by intent language naming pass-through recipients. Legislators also passed intent language stating that all current pass-through recipients would need to compete in an application process beginning in FY 2024.
Legislative intent language was included in appropriations bills associated with each new grant program in the table above:
CCE Arts and Museums Grants:
Notwithstanding the intent in “New Year Supplemental Appropriations Act” (House Bill 2, 2022 General Session) item 65, The Legislature intends that the Department of Cultural and Community Engagement use appropriations provided by House Bill 2, item 65 and this item to consider funding for the following projects and pass-through grants: El Systema @ Salty Crickets $50,000; Hale Center Theater Orem $300,000; Hill Aerospace Museum $175,000; Ogden Union Station Foundation $100,000; Utah Shakespeare Festival $350,000; Utah Sports Hall of Fame $252,500, Center Point Legacy Theater $100,000; Utah Humanities $220,000; Tuacahn Center for the Arts $535,000.
The Legislature intends that entities receiving pass-through grants in FY 2023 submit applications for the Arts and Museums Competitive Grants program for FY 2024.
CCE Capital Facilities Grants:
Notwithstanding the intent in “Current Fiscal Year Supplemental Appropriations Act” (Senate Bill 3, 2022 General Session) item 43 and “New Year Supplemental Appropriations Act” (House Bill 2, 2022 General Session) item 66, the Legislature intends that the Department of Cultural and Community Engagement use appropriations provided by House Bill 2, item 66 and this item to consider funding for the following projects and pass-through grants: Utah Shakespeare Festival – Theatrical Equipment $540,000; Improvements to Mount Pleasant’s ConToy Arena $340,000; Golden Spike Monument $750,000; Fullmer Legacy Center $2,000,000; Ogden Pioneer Days Stadium Upgrade $1,435,000; Hale Centre Theatre, $1,000,000; and Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, $1,000,000.
The Legislature intends that entities receiving pass-through grants in FY 2023 submit applications for the Capital Facilities Competitive Grants program for FY 2024.
CCE Heritage and Events Grants:
Notwithstanding the intent in “Current Fiscal Year Supplemental Appropriations Act” (Senate Bill 3, 2022 General Session) item 44 and “New Year Supplemental Appropriations Act” (House Bill 2, 2022 General Session) item 67, the Legislature intends that the Department of Cultural and Community Engagement use appropriations provided by House Bill 2, item 67 and this item to consider funding for the following projects and pass-through grants: Big Outdoor Expo $135,000; Kearns Accomplishment Pageant $4,500; Larry H. Miller Summer Games $95,000; Utah Valley Tip Off Classic $22,500; Warriors Over the Wasatch/Hill AFB Show $180,000; American West Heritage Center $7,300; Days of 47 Rodeo $200,000; Davis County Support for Utah Championship $120,000; America’s Freedom Festival at Provo $100,000; Run Elite Program $166,400; Targeted Youth Support Program $1,100,000; Refugee Soccer $250,000; Utah County Junior Achievement City $500,000; Ute Stampede Economic Development $225,000.
The Legislature intends that entities receiving pass-through grants in FY 2023 submit applications for the Heritage and Events Competitive Grants program for FY 2024.
GOEO Economic Assistance Grants:
Notwithstanding the intent in “Current Fiscal Year Supplemental Appropriations Act” (Senate Bill 3, 2022 General Session) item 37 and “New Year Supplemental Appropriations Act” (House Bill 2, 2022 General Session) item 59, the Legislature intends that the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity use appropriations provided by House Bill 2, item 59 and this item to consider funding for the following projects pass-through grants: Northern Economic Alliance $300,000; Pete Suazo Center for Business Development and Entrepreneurship $67,500; Sundance Institute $900,000; Utah Industry Resource Alliance $2,800,000; Utah Small Business Development Center $798,200; World Trade Center Utah $912,500; Get Healthy Utah $250,000; Neighborhood House $180,000; Taste Utah Marketing Campaign $475,000; Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy $45,000; Women Tech Council/She Tech $250,000; Woman’s Excellence for Life $27,000; Youth Impact $45,000; Downtown Alliance $30,000; Utah Sports Commission $6,060,000; Encircle Family and Youth Resource Center $700,000; Youth Bicycle Education Program $325,000; Event Service Industry Revitalization, $4,500,000; Opportunity Zone Economic Development Assistance, $150,000; and Falcon Hill MIDA Project Area Addition $4,160,000.
The Legislature intends that entities receiving pass-through grants in FY 2023 submit applications for the Economic Assistance Competitive Grants program for FY 2024.