CEDAR CITY — On Thursday, October 17, Utah Arts & Museums recognized six certifying graduates of the Change Leader Institute, an innovative leadership development program for people interested in advancing their communities through culture and the arts. The certifying Change Leaders are:
Rebecca Cox, Southern Utah Arts
Sandi Kirkendoll, South Jordan Art Board
Robert Morphis, Utah Pioneer Heritage Arts
M. Dayle Record, Artist
James Rees, James Rees Art
Carol Stevens, Duchesne Arts Council
“The Change Leader network is enhancing Utah’s communities and beyond with exciting arts and cultural projects,” said Lynnette Hiskey, Director of Utah Arts & Museums. “We are delighted to welcome these newly certified graduates to the growing network, and we look forward to following their progress as they engage with fellow Change Leaders and with their communities.”
Change Leaders acquire communication and community-building skills in a three-day intensive training course and then design and complete a certification project applying what they have learned. Once certified, participants join a network of more than 150 Change Leaders across Utah who regularly convene, partner on projects, mentor each other and generate positive change.
Among the ranks of Change Leaders are artists, museum professionals, mayors, executive directors, volunteers, professors, government employees, entrepreneurs and many others. What they have in common is a connection to arts and culture and a level of engagement in their communities.
Certification projects allow Change Leaders to use their training in a practical, individually meaningful way. Projects for this class of Change Leaders included:
- Implementing Art Adventures, a project that provides youth with meaningful artistic and cultural experiences in the visual arts
- Creating a quilt that underscores the beauty of a community’s past, present and future
- Connecting with Kane County agencies, historians and other community stakeholders to create a signature musical piece for the Symphony of the Canyons orchestra
- Exploring the idea of an Artist’s Oasis, an arts venue for youth groups and artists alike, at the St. Christopher Episcopal Mission in Bluff
- Coordinating an event to facilitate understanding and dialogue about 21st-century art for residents of Utah County
- Activating Duchesne residents in conversations with the city’s mayor and city council to determine the future of the historic Pope House Museum
For more information about the Change Leader Program or a list of certified Change Leaders, visit artsandmuseums.utah.gov or contact Wendi Hassan, Community Arts & Museums, whassan@utah.gov, 801.860.6396.
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About Utah Arts & Museums
Utah Arts & Museums is a division of the Utah Department of Heritage and Arts with a goal to promote innovation in and the growth of Utah’s arts and culture community. The division provides funding, education, and technical services to individuals and organizations statewide so that all Utahns, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity or economic status, can access, understand, and receive the benefits of arts and culture. Additional information on the programs and services can be found at artsandmuseums.utah.gov or by calling 801.236.7555.
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