The History & Mission of UAF

As one of the most famous and award-winning festivals in Utah history, the beloved Utah Arts Festival is an expression of Utah’s heart and community. Utah Arts Festival Foundation records date back to its first year, and they show the annual festival now includes around 130+ visual artists, 100+ performing artists, 18+ culinary artists, and typically attracts more than 80,000 patrons each year. With such a large count of artists, volunteers, locals, and tourists, the UAF enhances the lives of its admirers and advocates for a strong presence of the arts in Salt Lake.

A U.S. Arts Festival First

As the first state-supported arts festival in the U.S., this treasured gathering has received recognition internationally, nationally, and locally. Notably, the UAF received the Utah Governor’s Leadership in the Arts Award and has been ranked in high regard from the likes of The Art Fair Sourcebook, National Endowment for the Arts, and the International Festival Events Association.

A Staple In Our Fabric

Originally located on Main Street, the UAF moved to Triad Center in the ’80s (near the current Gateway mall) and afterwards to the Utah State Fairpark on Salt Lake City’s West Side. In 2003, it found its permanent home in Library and Washington Squares off 400 South, an area which now spaciously hosts hundreds of caravan tents, five event stages, an array of food and beverage vendors, and over 1,000 volunteers. The festival staff strives for the most outstanding production and display it can possibly provide to uphold the excellence of fine art. Held in the middle of June every Summer, the 48th annual festival will span June 28-30, 2024. Despite heavy foot traffic, the square will still be big enough for dance parties, lounging around, and picnics.

Promoting Diverse Artists and Performers

In recent years, festival staff have increasingly focused on inclusivity, diversity, and LGBTQ+ and multicultural representation in the featured performers and artists. Each year, an application process is held for artists and performers, who are then chosen by a jury of about 170 professional and amateur artists that are passionate about their medium. Each member is selected with the organization’s diversity standards in mind to ensure a variety of voices and cultures are represented at the festival.

Emerging Artist Program

In addition to promoting diversity, UAF launched the Emerging Artist Program in 2022, allowing for students and amateur performers and artists for the festival. This year, artists who applied in 2023 for the Emerging Artists Program were selected by the jury to be scheduled for regular programming this year.

Expansion of Contemporary Arts, Fear No Film Festival, and Slam Poetry

In some of the regular programming categories, contemporary art is constantly expanding each year at UAF. Featured yearly is a maze-like section for graffiti artists to spray paint in real time while onlookers observe their creations coming to life. Another fan-favorite section of the festival is the “Fear No Film Festival,” where about 50 independent and locally made films are selected and shown throughout the festival weekend. Festival staff are excited for this year’s literary arts section as they will have more additions to the slam poetry performances by adding some regional slam teams that will perform alongside SLC-based talent.

Download the Festival App

Last year, they launched an exciting addition with their festival app, which is available on Google and iOS app stores. In the app, users can buy tickets, view the performance lineup and the list of visual artists, and access coupons for some of the booths only available on the app. This was created in hopes to make the festival a more seamless experience and ensure showgoers don’t miss any of the events they’re hoping to see. The app also allows you to join a scavenger hunt and win prizes like Tesla one-night rentals, Airpods, and more. So go ahead, join the fun, and test your trivia knowledge while you’re there!

Accessibility and Transportation

Lastly, the Utah Arts Fest increased the event’s accessibility in recent years. Services including wheelchair parking, accessible toilet areas, closed captions, and more ASL performances will be available—it’s important to the staff for everyone to have an enjoyable experience. Additionally, for the third year in a row, transportation will be included with the cost of a festival ticket, which doubles as a UTA fare pass. Volunteers will be working a Free Bike Valet in partnership with Salt Lake City Bicycle Exchange, and there will be ADA accessible parking just across the street reserved for UAF attendees (500 South 300 East).

Headlining Musicians: Steely Dead

The UAF announced their 2024 musician headliners that will perform each night of the festival. The 2024 festival offers an inclusive lineup of highly rated musicians. The first performer, Steely Dead, will perform on Friday, June 28. Steely Dead, a four piece ensemble that combines the unique sounds of Grateful Dead and Steely Dan, is a live performance that feels more like a communal gathering of people enjoying the music they love.

Headlining Musicians: Korean Artist Seo Jungmin

Also playing Friday, June 28th is Korean Artist Seo Jungmin—an eclectic artist performing on her 25-string Gayageum, blending traditional and contemporary sounds. Known to mesmerize audiences with shamanic vocals and percussion, this acclaimed artist is a trailblazer in the contemporary music scene.

Headlining Musicians: Andy Frasco & the U.N. with Cool Cool Cool

Andy Frasco & the U.N. with Cool Cool Cool, will perform on Saturday, June 29th. There's nothing better than two outstanding bands performing on the scenic amphitheater stage. Expect the upbeat, optimistic, heart thumping Andy Frasco & the U.N. mixed with the genre-defying Cool Cool Cool blend of funk, R&B, and house. Surely to be an electrifying performance, with bands known for their unparalleled stage performance.

Headlining Musicians: future.exboyfriend with The Plastic Cherries

Headlining Sunday night, June 30th, is local Utah band future.exboyfriend with The Plastic Cherries. Get ready for indie electro-pop heaven with this dynamic duo. Dance the night away with electro-pop beats and levitating vocals of Tyler Harris from future.exboyfriend. Alongside them will be The Plastic Cherries, who’ve played at Salt Lake’s renowned Kilby Block Party amongst bands like The Strokes, Pixies, and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

Maps and lineup sheets are included in the Utah Arts Festival app so you won’t miss any performance you’re dying to see. Currently, there’s a list available of scheduled programs on UAF’s site.

Guide to a Successful Festival Weekend

Single-day, three-day, or festival six-pack tickets are available right now on UAF’s website. VIP tickets are available and include access to the indoor Hospitality Patio where you can find shade, tables, and a nice place to hang out, especially if you’re planning on a big party of friends. 

If VIP life isn’t your style, seating and open grassy areas around the square are available to enjoy the culinary arts and spectate. A walk around to see the visual artists, performing artists, and literary artists is one of the best memories possible to make in Utah. UAF offers free water at water stations and permits empty reusable water bottles to be filled. Sunscreen, a visor, and sunnies are a must-have, as are as many friends as you can find to bring. With four entrances available and a refreshing fountain by the Library Arch Main Entrance, you’ll enter the gates and be instantly entertained.

The Art Yard

Once stocked up on refreshments and food, you can see one of the most cherished attractions, the Art Yard, which offers interactive exhibits, face paint, kids and toddler areas, and unique crafts to take home—historically brought to the festival by some of Utah’s artistic nonprofit organizations such as the National History Museum of Utah, Utah Black Artists Collective, Clever Octopus, Utah Museum of Fine Arts, Utah Museum of Fine Arts, and more. The Art Yard was originally intended for kids and has since seen a name change to include the adults aching to participate—it’s just that fun.