Story Crossroads: The Newsletter Volume 11, Issue 26
Welcome to a short, more direct weekly newsletter * Week 1: Story of the Month - links with membership * Week 2: Upcoming
Events * Week 3: Cap's Off to You! - people/organization profiles * Week 4: Past & Future News
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National Endowment for the
Arts honors Story Crossroads
West Jordan, UT—Story Crossroads, in partnership with the Utah Storytelling Guild and Nubian Storytellers of Utah Leadership, is pleased to announce it is the recipient of a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for Celebrating America250: Arts Projects Honoring the National Garden of American Heroes. A grant of $25,000 will support a series of storytelling performances celebrating American heroes, presented as part of America250. NEA Senior Advisor
Mary Anne Carter said, “As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary, the National Endowment for the Arts is honored to support communities across the country in recognizing the individuals whose contributions have defined our history. Story Crossroads’ project in Utah plays a significant role in commemorating these heroes’ legacies while affirming the enduring role of the arts in shaping America’s future.” “Storytelling has always been one of the most powerful ways we remember who we are and how we came to be,” said Rachel Hedman, Founding Executive Director of Story Crossroads. “This support from the NEA allows us to honor American
heroes through diverse voices and lived experiences, while creating space for dialogue, learning, and connection across generations and communities.” Through
a Chair’s extraordinary action award, Story Crossroads will host a series of storytelling performances at the Salt Lake Art Museum honoring 12 American heroes, in partnership with the Utah Storytelling Guild and Nubian Storytellers of Utah Leadership. The project will include live performances, facilitated community discussions, and educational materials, with all programs made available for streaming online to reach audiences nationwide. The 50 NEA-supported Arts Projects Honoring the National Garden of American Heroes will honor these individuals through a wide range of artistic
disciplines. For more information on other projects included in the NEA’s grant announcement, visit arts.gov/news.
Photo Credits: Brother Valdez Photography & Bob Davis
Photography Every Gift Tells a
Story |
As we make our final push in our Year-End Campaign, we’re reminded that every gift tells a story—one of access, creativity, and community. Your
support keeps Story Crossroads’ programs vibrant, inclusive, and free or low-cost, ensuring storytellers of all ages have meaningful opportunities to learn, perform, and be heard. Whether you give once or choose to become a monthly donor, your contribution becomes part of the Story Crossroads story—opening doors for 2026 and beyond. Thanks to our generous community, we’ve raised $1,071 toward our $2,026 goal. While 2025 brought unexpected
challenges—including the loss of $16,000 in federal funding—we are deeply honored to receive a $25,000 National Endowment for the Arts grant supporting our America250 storytelling work. That grant fuels a specific project; your year-end gift sustains the year-round, multi-week arts education programs that serve youth through older adults. Help us close the gap and finish the year strong—your support today
ensures stories continue to connect, educate, and inspire.
Frosted Glass, the latest issue of The Story Beast,
dropped December 15, 2025. Now the door is open for our next issue, Boisterous Blooms—submissions close
February 15, 2026. Do you have a story shaped by creative mishaps, unexpected encounters, or a wild idea that grew out of nowhere? Maybe Boisterous
Blooms sparked something entirely new. Whether it’s on-theme or delightfully offbeat, we want to see your creativity in full bloom. Separate from Story
Crossroads, The Story Beast is a free, worldwide e-publication—an incredible platform to share your work with a global audience. Submit by February 15 and let your story sparkle. Learn more at storybeast.org.
On December 3, 2025, we delighted in the holiday stories of Ted
Erekson. He shared a rich collection of tales—and realized along the way that he has many more stories still to tell, which we look forward to hearing in the future. One memorable moment even invited an audience member to become an apple tree, complete with drooping and reaching branches. Explore streams and future concerts at http://storycrossroads.org/HouseConcerts. On December 6,
2025, Story Crossroads hosted a record-breaking 88 registrants for Daniel Morden’s virtual workshop, Adapting Traditional Tales: Page to Stage, surpassing our previous high of 61. Many described the experience as liberating and affirming, gaining confidence to adapt traditional stories while honoring their essence. Attendees left inspired to revisit long-set-aside tales, deepen character work,
and share these approaches with their storytelling communities. A recurring refrain echoed throughout the feedback: they wished the workshop had been longer, which we are hoping to do in the future. Enjoy past workshops by ordering at http://storycrossroads.org/AllThingsStory.
As for future events, we have several coming up. We have virtual workshops with Rachel Hedman, MA (January 10) and then Sarah Brady
(February 7). Our 98th house concert will feature Madeline Rollins (January 23).
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Enjoy this hint of the next virtual workshop taught by Rachel Hedman, MA called "The Evolving Art of Grant Writing." See more videos at our YouTube Channel.
If you or someone you know has a story video that you want us to see, then let us know by emailing info@storycrossroads.org.
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Story Crossroads - 501(c)(3) - To foster creative and compassionate communities through the art of storytelling.
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