During the 2022 General Session, the Legislature established a series of grant programs targeting arts, heritage, culture, events, and economic development. To accomplish their goals, policy makers revamped pass-through funding at the Department of Cultural and Community Engagement (CCE) and the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO). For grants made by both departments, policymakers established two paths: a ‘pass-through path’ directed by legislative intent, and an ‘application path’ managed by the executive branch agencies. The grants in the pass-through path were directed through intent language in House Bill 2, “New Fiscal Year Supplemental Appropriations Act,” and House Bill 3, “Appropriations Adjustments.” The competitive grants were then set to begin after the end of the Fiscal Year (FY) on June 30, 2022. Competitive funds for each grants program were set as follows:
CCE Arts and Museums Competitive Grants Program – $6 million ongoing GF
CCE Capital Facilities Competitive Grants Program – $4 million one-time GF
CCE Heritage and Events Competitive Grants Program – $2 million ongoing GF
GOEO Economic Assistance Competitive Grants Program – $4.5 million ongoing GF
Now that FY 2023 has begun, all competitive grant programs in CCE and GOEO are at some stage of operation, ranging from the closing of applications to allocation and distribution of funds to successful applicants. Currently, the Capital Facilities Grants Program (which helps organizations with new construction, renovations, remodeling, and consulting for major Capital Projects) and the Economic Assistance Grants Program, (which provides funding to organizations, projects, and programs that create or retain high quality jobs or otherwise enhance the economy of the state of Utah) have closed their application pools and begun the process of ranking and determining successful applicants. Both the Arts and Museums Grant Program (which focuses on operational support for non-profit cultural and arts organizations within the state) and the Heritage and Events Grants Program (which focuses primarily on events that enhance the culture of Utah including festivals, heritage celebrations, and fairs) have finished their selection processes for recipients. The results of these two competitive grant programs are included in the tables below, with recipients listed in alphabetical order.
CCE Arts and Museums Competitive Grants Program: FY 2023 Recipients
CCE Capital Facilities Competitive Grants Program: FY 2023 Recipients
CCE Heritage and Events Competitive Grants Program: FY 2023 Recipients
GOEO Economic Assistance Competitive Grants Program: FY 2023 Recipients