Donna Law and Victoria Panella Bourns - Executive Directors Forum - March 27, 2026

At the Executive Directors Forum (March 27, 2026), hosted by the Utah Division of Arts & Museums at the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium, arts leaders including Story Crossroads executive director Rachel Hedman, gathered to better understand the current legislative landscape and how to advocate effectively for arts and culture. A key takeaway was a shift in mindset—from stating needs to asking “How might we?”—while distinguishing between “must-have” funding and “get-to” opportunities in a time of limited resources. Speakers highlighted ongoing misconceptions among legislators, including confusion about how arts funding is used, challenges in connecting the arts to the economy, and misunderstandings around inclusion efforts. The call was clear: we must better communicate the role of the creative economy and the ways the arts strengthen communities.

The legislative update underscored both urgency and resilience. Arts funding began at $6 million but ultimately faced a 35% cut—reducing it by $1.7 million and impacting 250+ organizations statewide. Despite this, leaders like Donna Law reminded us of the heart of the work: “This is the group that fosters hope… the stories will be told.” Annie DiMartino encouraged coordinated advocacy, suggesting outreach that reflects the breadth of impacted organizations and inviting legislators not just to performances, but to behind-the-scenes experiences like arts education in schools. Even amid challenges, there were small wins—such as maintaining POPS funding—and a shared recognition that the arts community has weathered difficult seasons before.

National perspectives added further context and strategy. Kelly Barsdale shared insights from a survey of 2,000 conservative legislators (reflecting the current climate), identifying messages that resonate most strongly right now: the arts strengthen communities, support veterans’ healing, celebrate our nation’s story (especially as the U.S. approaches its 250th anniversary), promote health and well-being, enrich the lives of older adults, and improve student success. These themes offer powerful ways to frame advocacy moving forward. As we continue this work, the forum reinforced the importance of a unified voice, clear messaging, and ongoing engagement—ensuring that storytelling and the arts remain visible, valued, and vital in Utah and beyond.

Get the most out of the Story Crossroads Summit & Festival with the Summit Pass—just $65. Enjoy all three live virtual workshops on May 2, plus recordings of performances May 4–6. Learn with Kristin Pedemonti, Chetter Galloway, and Randel McGee—all in one pass for less than individual pricing.

Thanks to funding from the National Endowment for the Arts; Zoo, Arts & Parks of Salt Lake County; Creative West; Utah Division of Arts & Museums; City of Murray; Salt Lake City Arts Council; Utah Storytelling Guild; Murray City Library; Pleasant Grove Library; American Fork Library; and supporters like you, these stories can be shared far and wide.

Sign up for Summit Pass today—free performances and paid workshops await! Explore the Festival webpage.

Enjoy the most recent issue of Boisterous Blooms for The Story Beast e-publication.

Meanwhile, we're seeking your stories, articles, and art for our next issue, Cerulean Sighs—submissions close May 15, 2026.

Have you stumbled upon a story born from a happy accident, an unexpected encounter, or a wild idea that appeared out of nowhere? Maybe Cerulean Sighs itself whispered a spark of inspiration. Whether your work drifts perfectly on-theme or wanders delightfully offbeat, we want to see your imagination take flight on cerulean breezes.

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 May 15 and let your story sparkle. Learn more at storybeast.org.

On March 7, 2026, Debra Weller led a virtual workshop that energized storytellers with actionable tips to make social media work like magic! Attendees left buzzing with ideas—ready to craft reels, add music, and share their stories far and wide with confidence and flair. Enjoy past workshops by ordering at http://storycrossroads.org/AllThingsStory.

On March 21, 2026, Julie Barnson told at the 100th house concert in West Jordan, Utah. See some of the reflections and statistics of our 100 house concerts above. Of course, we will have our 101st house concert in April! Explore streams and future concerts at http://storycrossroads.org/HouseConcerts.

Story Crossroads - 501(c)(3) - To foster creative and compassionate communities through the art of storytelling.