History — 2010s

The Jarvis and Constance Doctorow Family Foundation, run by philanthropist and artist Suzanne Larson make SLAC the home for the Catherine Doctorow Prize for Contemporary Painting. Artist Kim Schoenstadt is the first recipient and is awarded $15,000 and a solo show in the Street Gallery.

The Salt Lake Arts Center changes its name to the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art. The press release says, “we hope the change of name will be of major significance, providing greater transparency to the general public about exactly what kind of experience they can expect if they walk through our doors.”

Aaron Moulton is hired as Chief Curator of Exhibitions followed by Rebecca Maksym (2013-2016).

Jared Steffensen joins staff as Curator of Public Engagement and becomes Curator of Exhibitions in 2016. The Artist-in-Residence (AIR) Program is launched. The AIR program seeks to better serve local artists, providing them with a community in which their work and careers can thrive.

UMOCA appoints Kristian Anderson as executive director, replacing Maggie Willis who served as interim director (2013-2014). Speaking of his excitement to join the UMOCA team, Anderson says he is impressed by the way the UMOCA staff and supporters “give of themselves to the museum, their passion for the value of contemporary art, and their belief in the power of UMOCA.”

The AIR gallery opens, providing a space for Artists-In-Residence to show their work, with Jonathan Frioux: Polarities, as the first.

L-E Baldwin, Curator of Public Engagement, starts the OUT LOUD education program, designed to offer artistic workshops for LGBTQIA + youth expression. A year later, public bathrooms become gender neutral.

Anderson and board member Steven Labrum start the radio show, “Cultural Conversations,” a platform for exploring Utah’s amazing contemporary arts, culture, making sure “that each week you fall in love with Utah all over again.”

Cities of Conviction: Saudi Contemporary Art opens, examining, as curator Jared Steffensen said, “the parallels between spiritual and urban cultures in Saudi Arabia and Utah, especially the symbolism of creativity that connects cities of pilgrimage in both places.”

Laura Allred Hurtado is named executive director (2019-Present).