Orem Arts Council | Arts Council Orem Utah | Arts in Orem Utah

Orem Arts Council - Orem Utah
Arts in Orem Utah

Orem's Nicest Realtor, Denise Martin (801) 602-9552

In January 2004, the Orem City Council appointed a citizen advisory board--the Cultural Arts Advisory Commission--and charged them with drafting a Cultural Arts Strategic Plan for the City of Orem. Orem's Cultural Arts Strategic Plan was formally adopted in December 2006 as a vision and a guide for the arts in Orem. The vision is a city with strong governance, committed to advance and support the arts through collaboration with the public, arts providers, cultural arts organizations, educational institutions, and the business community.

Orem Arts Council's Mission

Orem Arts in the Orem Public Library - Orem UT

Arts in the Orem Public Library - Orem Utah

Increase visibility and emphasize the importance of the arts in our community"

The Orem Arts Council envisions the arts flourishing citywide -- from the Hale Center Theater in the north, to the City Center area, to the SCERA Center for the Arts farther south, and the UVU Art Museum.

Address:
Orem Arts Council is located in the Orem Public Library
58 North State Street, Orem, UT 84057
(801) 229-7047
email: arts@orem.org

A major goal of the Orem Arts Council is to become "the storytelling capital of the nation." SCERA facilities have helped the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival in the past, with the use of the SCERA Outdoor Shell, for example. The SCERA Center for the Arts has the largest auditorium in the city, with its 750-seat Grand Theater, and has many other amenities to offer. However, even though the SCERA has been the major arts provider in Orem it isn't only one.

The Orem Arts Council is always accepting volunteers. Simply call or e-mail to discover volunteer opportunities.

Orem C.A.R.E. Tax Funding for the Arts

City of Orem CARE Grants - Orem Utah

Orem Cultural Arts & Recreation Enrichment Tax
In November 2005, the Orem City Council authorized a 1/10th of 1% increase in the local sales and use tax as a means of enhancing the quality of life of City of Orem residents in the areas of recreation and cultural arts. Known as the C.A.R.E. Tax, (representing culture, arts, recreation and education) funds may be used in part to support the operations of nonprofit cultural arts organizations as allowed by law.

Beginning April 1, 2006, Orem City began collecting the tax (one penny on every ten dollars spent in Orem) for the CARE Program. CARE funds are available for qualifying facilities and organizations through a competitive granting process.

CARE Program funds are made available upon approval of the Orem City Council on the basis of a formal application in a competitive granting process. Cultural arts organizations that apply and qualify are not guaranteed funding. Funding is awarded on the basis of merit and availability of funds. Funds vary from year-to-year so there is no guarantee of funding or the amount of funding. Grants are awarded as much as possible on objective factors, including the organization’s clear cultural purpose, organizational stability, financial accountability, and community served.

Large grants are divided between three groups: The SCERA Center for the Arts, the Hale Center Foundation for the Arts and the Utah Metropolitan Ballet. Those grants have ranged from $20,000 to up to $600,000. Mini-grants are for up to $4,900 while mid-range grants are up to $9,999. About $30,000 is withheld for administering the program.

Both the 2021 upgrade of the Orem Fitness Center and the new Orem Library Hall auditorium are recipients of CARE Tax grants as well.

Orem CARE Tax Q&A

CARE grants for the ongoing operations of cultural arts organizations are made available in three categories:

Mini Grants of up to $4,999
Mid-major Grants from $5,000 to $9,999
Major Grants of $10,000 or more
Facilities Grants (for Government only)

To qualify for consideration, applicants must meet this criteria:

The applicant must be a private nonprofit cultural organization having as its primary purpose the advancement and preservation of art, dance, history, music, natural history, or theater. Cultural organization does not include any agency of the state; any political subdivision of the state; any educational institution whose annual revenues are directly derived more than 50% from state funds; or any radio or television broadcasting network or station, cable communications system, newspaper, or magazine.
Private nonprofit cultural organizations must have an active 501(c)(3) status at the time of application.
The organization must have a significant presence, and manage, and present in the City of Orem.
The organization must demonstrate a strong connection to the community and show a stable financial history.
The organization’s application must by accompanied by financial reports prepared by a Utah licensed certified public accountant/firm and budget summaries as required in the application.
If the applicant is an organization or program affiliated with a university, college, or educational institution, 1) it must serve residents of the City of Orem as opposed to students and faculty; and 2) it must receive less than 50% of its funding from state funds.