Utah and Washington: America 250

The 250th anniversary of American independence occurs in 2026, offering a unique opportunity to reflect on our nation’s past and chart a course toward the future. State arts agencies across the nation are marking the occasion with America 250 initiatives that celebrate democracy through the arts and culture. This month we share projects from Utah and Washington.

Utah

To commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary, the Utah Division of Arts and Museums (UA&M) is supporting The Pen Is Mightier: Writing a Revolution. This free traveling exhibition introduces visitors of all ages to the ways that writing, music and symbolism facilitated American independence. A special initiative of UA&M’s Traveling Exhibitions Program in collaboration with the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation, The Pen Is Mightier showcases the ingenuity of colonial communications through 20 panels that tell the story of the correspondence, literature, printing presses, secret codes, songs and maps that shaped a nation. The exhibit is being installed in local museums, community centers, arts venues, schools and libraries in all 29 Utah counties between September 2025 and December 2026. A larger exhibit will be on display at the Utah State Capitol from January – December 2026. A unique highlight of the capitol exhibition is a 1776 copy of “Common Sense,” by Thomas Paine. It played a key role in the American Revolution by using plain, populist language to argue for democratic freedoms and independence from Britain.

This exhibit is just one activity that UA&M is pursuing to mark the nation’s anniversary. A grant program will be launched in early 2026 to support community based arts projects that celebrate American democracy and Utah’s history through the arts. UA&M also was instrumental in the production of a video promoting America’s Potluck. This statewide event, taking place on Sunday, July 5, 2026, is an opportunity for neighbors to share a fun, communal meal that includes foods from many cultural traditions. The goal is to create connections and a sense of belonging among Utah residents from all walks of life.

Utah’s Department of Cultural & Community Engagement, the parent agency of UA&M, is facilitating multiple America 250 Utah initiatives in collaboration with its nine divisions. Many of them use the arts or culture as a focal point. Examples include a commemorative coin design contest, a community oral history project, a summer reading program and the grand opening of a new state history museum, which will house the State of Utah Alice Merrill Horne art collection.

Washington

Michoacan Tierra Caliente. Photo by VBF Advanced Group

Washington State is organizing its America 250 observances around three themes: We the People, Power of Place and Sharing History. As an official partner of the state effort, ArtsWA is evoking these themes in new grant programs designed to foster community engagement in semiquincentennial events.

Recognizing the power of music to foster civic cohesion and engagement, ArtsWA created the America 250: Support for Free Outdoor Music Performances program. Grants will help event organizers to hire local musicians or engage Washington based music groups for community events that celebrate the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. Awards will range from $1,000 – $2,000. To ensure rural access to funding opportunities, priority is being given to projects occurring outside of the state’s two most metropolitan counties (King and Pierce). ArtsWA project based funding categories also support small organizations (those with budgets under $50,000), applicants located in state-designated economically distressed counties and projects that reach underserved communities.

America 250: Latine and Hispanic History in Washington State applauds the contributions of the Latine and Hispanic communities in Washington State throughout the past 250 years. Awards of $1,000 – $2,000 will support activities that increase public understanding of the ways that Hispanic arts and culture have contributed to the Pacific Northwest. From the late 1770s through the present day, Latine and Hispanic people have influenced the social, economic and cultural landscape of Washington State. However, these histories are often overlooked. By offering this grant program, ArtsWA will help communities to share and honor these stories and make them fully accessible to all Washington residents through the arts. Projects can encompass any artistic discipline and must be open to the public.