Kelley McInerney of Utah is highlighting the diverse programming and community impact of the Moab Arts Center. Located in a 100-year-old building in downtown Moab, the center serves as a hub for arts, recreation, and community engagement.
The Moab Arts Center facility, which was previously an LDS church and a school, currently houses Arts & Recreation City offices, a coworking space, artist studios, and a community center. The center hosts monthly art shows in its Foyer Gallery and offers regular classes and events including yoga, painting, mosaic making, storytelling, and movie screenings.
According to McInerney, the center's team facilitates several public art projects. These include community mural paintings, vendor markets like the Holiday Craft Fair, and the Red Rock Arts Festival held in September. The organization also manages seasonal classes, summer camps for children, and rotating art displays in City Hall and the Canyonlands Regional Airport.
In recent years, the center has expanded its multidisciplinary approach to include performing arts, such as the play Leaving a Trace, and musical performance series in a local bookstore. Other participatory projects include a photo series of residents using cyanotypes and community paint-along murals.
McInerney noted that the center works with the Mayor, City Council, and the community to adjust programming to meet current local needs. She emphasized the importance of the support system in Moab, where nearly 100 non-profits coexist.
For those interested in using the facilities, the center offers a $15 daily coworking pass and room rentals for $25 per hour. While most events are free, scholarships are available for various classes and camps.
McInerney advises those starting out in the community to ask for help and learn from the lived experiences of others. She stated that even if a situation is not identical, there is much to learn from the stories and experiences of others while building a support system.
