Utah: New Nation Project

Inspired by how the musical Hamilton has spurred interest in American history and the promise of democracy, the New Nation Project is a multipart effort of the Utah Department of Heritage & Arts and its six divisions, including the Division of Arts & Museums, to engage students and citizens in civic and cultural life through written and visual storytelling. The Division curated one component of the project, an exhibition—Who Tells Your Story?—exploring how Utahns document their life vis-à-vis contemporary art as well as objects from the state archives and division of state history. The Division of Arts & Museums not only envisioned the show’s concept and facilitated artwork and artifact loans but also managed the show’s installation in the state capitol and developed interpretive guides, including one in Braille created in partnership with the state library. The other half of the project, the Telling My Story Letter-Writing Competition, invites high school students to channel Alexander Hamilton by corresponding with an elected official to propose a solution to a policy issue that concerns them. Contestants are entered into a drawing for the opportunity to accompany an elected official to a performance of Hamilton in Salt Lake City. Learn more from the Division’s Public Information & Data Specialist David Wicai.