The Salt Lake City Arts Council Board is scheduled to hold its next regularly scheduled meeting on Aug. 19, 2026, at the Art Barn. The meeting, which is part of a monthly series held on the third Wednesday of each month, invites community members to attend, listen, and participate in the proceedings.
Advisory and Programmatic Roles
The Arts Council Board serves a dual role within the city's cultural landscape. According to the City of Salt Lake City, the board is tasked with advising the Office of the Mayor, the City Council, and the Salt Lake Arts Council—an allied but independent non-profit organization—on arts and arts-related activities throughout the city and the surrounding region. Additionally, the board manages several specific arts functions and programs.
Beyond its advisory role, the council oversees a diverse portfolio of community initiatives. These programs include the Art Barn, Busker Fest, City Arts Grants, and the Living Traditions Festival. The organization also manages the Twilight Concert Series, Finch Lane/Park Galleries, and the Public Art Program.
Two Governing Boards
The Salt Lake City Arts Council operates through two distinct governing bodies. The Arts Council Board focuses on broad advisory and programmatic management, while the Art Design Board oversees the city's public art program.
As established by ordinance, the Art Design Board is responsible for designating certain funds for eligible construction projects to commission artwork. This board also reviews and determines public art policy and plays an active role in the artist selection process.
Council Leadership and Staff
The organization's leadership is anchored by Executive Director Felicia Baca. Supporting the executive office is Deputy Director Laurel Cannon Alder. The staff includes several coordinators and managers responsible for specific cultural sectors, such as Amy Childress and Renato Olmedo-González, who manage the Public Art Program.
Other key staff members include Dawn Borchardt, who serves as the Performing Arts Program Manager, and Todd Oberndorfer, the Visual Arts Program Coordinator. The administrative and operations team is further supported by Andrew Shaw, Special Projects Coordinator; Susan Campbell, Community Investment and Development Manager; and office facilitators Wendy Evanoff and Lindsey Day.
Board Membership and Qualifications
The Arts Council Board is comprised of members appointed by Mayor Erin Mendenhall and the Salt Lake City Arts Council. The board can appoint a minimum of fifteen members to serve three-year terms. While no professional experience is strictly required, members typically possess a background and enthusiasm for the arts.
Under the current board structure, members also serve as board members for the Salt Lake Arts Council's non-profit organization. Appointees are generally expected to be City residents.
Current Board Composition
The current Arts Council Board leadership includes Matthew Coles serving as Chair, Travis English as Vice Chair, Caitlin Tursic as Treasurer, and Cuathemoc Sandoval as Secretary. Ignacio Rosenberg serves as an At Large member of the Executive Committee.
District-specific representation on the board includes Hannah Nielsen (District 6), Gabriella Huggins (District 2), Nicholas Pedersen (District 2), Cuathemoc Sandoval (District 3), Denise Begue (District 3), Lana Taylor (District 4), Ignacio Rosenberg (District 4), Ryan Canter (District 4), Sabrina Martinez (District 5), Travis English (District 5), Pablo Cruz-Ayala (District 5), Eugenie Jaffe (District 6), Anthony Wright (District 6), Matthew Coles (District 7), and Caitlin Tursic (District 7).
Future Meeting Schedule
Following the August meeting, the board is scheduled to convene for its next regular meeting on Sept. 16, 2026. Subsequent meetings are slated for Oct. 21, 2026, Nov. 18, 2026, and Dec. 16, 2026. In accordance with the Utah Open and Public Meetings Act, meeting agendas are posted at least 24 hours in advance to allow for community participation.
Office Information
The Salt Lake City Arts Council maintains its headquarters at 54 Finch Lane, Salt Lake City, UT 84102. The office maintains standard operating hours from Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., though in-person hours are subject to updates.
