Orem Arts Council

Arts in Orem UT

Call Denise Martin (801) 602-9552 or Jessica Rowley (801) 960-8011

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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.

​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.

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:

1. 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.
2. Private nonprofit cultural organizations must have an active 501(c)(3) status at the time of application. 
3. The organization must have a significant presence, and manage, and present in the City of Orem. 
4. The organization must demonstrate a strong connection to the community and show a stable financial history.
5. 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.
6. 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.