April 10, 2011
Utah: Random Acts of Art
Utah communities are finding new ways to feed the hungry, unite diverse communities, repurpose trash, combat bullying, beautify public spaces and teach job skills to high-risk youth—all while celebrating the arts. Led by graduates of the Utah Division of Arts & Museums‘ Change Leader Institute, Random Acts of Art are 10 unique artistic projects designed to find creative solutions to social problems. Each project aims to achieve a significant social impact through creative collaborations and a minimal financial investment. Here are some sample projects:

Graffiti Knitting spruces up the neighborhood, with help from organizer Sheryl Gillilan.
- Writers and storytellers will contribute cherished recipes and the stories that make them special to a community potluck meal and performance to benefit homeless shelters and food banks in Salt Lake City.
- In South Ogden, artists will be engaged to propose transformative artwork to beautify two landmark million-gallon water tanks.
- Graffiti knitters in Salt Lake City will teach women’s shelter clients the therapeutic arts of knitting and crochet, while a community “knit in” will create a temporary knitted public artwork and will tag statues and benches with knitted articles.
- In West Valley City, young people will explore solutions to bullying through discussion and improvisation with djembe African drums.
To learn more about Random Acts of Art, contact Anna Boulton.