Photo: The Arts Council of Park City // Claire Wiley

From one part-time staffer to $1M in artist sales: inside the Arts Council's four decade journey

PARK CITY, Utah — For four decades, the Arts Council of Park City has been transforming the arts and culture landscape of Summit County. As the organization turns 40, it’s worth looking back on a unique journey driven by advocacy, community building, organizational incubation and groundbreaking art.

Established in 1986, the Arts Council of Park City has been a female-led nonprofit from the start, evolving from a grassroots initiative into the bedrock of arts and culture in the county. But according to Arts Council co-founder Leslie Miller, the leap of faith she and her colleagues took never felt large.

“Because Park City has always been a very art-centric village, formulating the organization was an organic outcome of the intrinsic artistic character of the community,” she said. “Perhaps we were forward thinking, but the Arts Council was very much a product of the community’s building energy around the arts.”

Around the time the idea for the Arts Council began to take shape, the Sundance Film Festival — known as the U.S. Film Festival at the time — was opening film screenings to community members. The response was so positive that the Arts Council’s first initiative was to find a way to continue those screenings throughout the year.

With goals of facilitating a variety of arts and culture activities, from film screenings to public art, Miller enlisted several Park City residents to help — including Claudia Ward, David Chambers, Katherine Scott Henney, Paul Sincock and Bruce Shapiro — to formulate and document a plan for the organization and apply for a National Endowment for the Arts grant.

With NEA funding secured, a board was formed and Joanna Charnes was hired as the first executive director, a part-time role at the time.

Latino Arts Festival celebrates the Latino and Hispanic cultures of Perú, Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, and others. Photo: Eclectic Brew Productions.

“For years, the organization operated with just one employee,” said Jocelyn Scudder, executive director of the Arts Council of Park City & Summit County. “Now, it’s an 11-person team working toward a mission to ensure arts and culture thrive for our communities. The Arts Council’s dedication and focus on advocacy, public engagement and local artist support continues to strengthen the county’s social and economic fabric.”

A legacy of advocacy, incubation and education

The Arts Council’s 40-year history is defined by its role as a champion for the local creative sector. Its leadership has not only supported local artists but also secured systemic funding necessary to create pathways for arts and culture to grow and thrive in the Park City/Summit County area. As an independent nonprofit, the Arts Council has been creative, nimble and persistent in accomplishing its goals.

– Continued education for creatives: The Arts Council is reigniting its educational outreach with its ArtWORKS Professional Development series, which provides support for local creatives.
– Organization incubation: The Arts Council spearheaded the creation of the Park City and Summit County Public Art Boards and has incubated some of the area’s most beloved organizations, including Park City Film and Mountain Town Music.
– Advocacy: The organization was instrumental in supporting RAP tax legislation in 2000, 2010 and 2020, securing a vital funding mechanism for local cultural organizations.

Summit Arts Market. — Summit Arts Market presented by Arts Council of Park City & Summit County. Photo: Rebekah Stevens

Bringing culture to life through programs and events

The council’s mission is most evident in the diverse programming it brings to Summit County, connecting residents and visitors with artists, makers and entrepreneurs.

– Signature festivals and events: Major community events such as the Latino Arts Festival, Art on the Trails and the Summit Arts Market are staples of the council’s seasonal calendar.
– Programs: The Arts Council developed the CREATE PC Local Artist Collective, which has generated more than $1 million in artwork sales for local creatives.
– Collaborative spirit: In partnership with organizations such as the Kimball Art Center and the Park City Gallery Association, the council produces events such as the Monster Drawing Rally and Art & Music Gallery Strolls.
– Public art: The organization embeds creativity into everyday life through temporary installations, pop-up activations and permanent artworks.

As the Arts Council of Park City & Summit County celebrates its 40th anniversary, it continues to demonstrate that when a community invests in arts and culture, it builds stronger connections. Looking ahead, the Arts Council has charted a path forward through its newly adopted 10-year Arts and Culture Master Plan, which sets the stage for another decade of growth built on four decades of foundation.

You can be part of the celebration, too. Among the ways the organization is honoring 40 years of service is a punch card activation: for each Arts Council event a patron attends this summer, they will be entered to win prizes. One event equals one entry. The drawing will take place during the 40th Anniversary Party on Wednesday, Nov. 4, from 4-8 p.m. at CREATE PC. Learn more about upcoming summer events at the link below.