Mountain West Arts Conference: May 5

SAVE THE DATE
Mountain West Arts Conference
Thursday May 5, 2011

Location - Utah Cultural Celebration Center, West Valley City

Registration is now open!!

Information and Registration: http://artsandmuseums.utah.gov/resources/professional_development/conferences/index.html


Submit your nominations for the
Governor’s Leadership in the Arts Awards
Due Date - February 23, 2011

Nominations are now open for the following award categories:
Leadership in the Arts – Community
Leadership in the Arts – Education
Leadership in the Arts – Organization

Applications must be emailed to Lynnette Hiskey at lhiskey@utah.gov
Late applications will not be accepted

Nomination Information and Forms

We are pleased to announce our Conference Keynote Speaker-

Chris Abani



"Chris Abani may be the most courageous writer working right now," says Dave Eggers. Imprisoned by the Nigerian government as a teenager for his writings, Abani is one of the most admired novelists in the world today. He is also an evocative speaker whose keynotes -- near musical in their fluidity, heartbreak and joy -- mix the personal and the political. His luminous and very funny talks are a vital statement on the redemptive power of art to battle tyranny and to remind us of our common humanity. "Happiness," he has said, "is learning to live with difficulty and grace."

One of the best writers to emerge from Africa in half a century, Abani is the recipient of the PEN Freedom-to-Write Award and many other prizes. His bestselling novel, Graceland, about an Elvis impersonator in Lagos, won the Hemingway/PEN Prize. His other works of fiction include The Virgin of Flames, Becoming Abigail, and the award-winning Song For Night, about a child soldier who has lost his voice. All three were each named a New York Times Editor's Choice. Abani is currently a professor at the University of California, Riverside. Pultizer Prize winner Junot Diaz says, "Chris Abani is a force of nature."

Information and Registration

Connect with old friends and make new ones at this great event!

By the way, did you notice our new logo?
You can find digital copies here. Please begin to use the Division of Arts & Museums name and logo instead of “Utah Arts Council” or “Office of Museum Services.” Thanks!