Woman doing beadwork at Shoshone Powwow 2023

Programs

The Wyoming Arts Council has a diverse offering of programs celebrating artistic excellence, cultural heritage, and community growth, from Folk Arts to Public Art, Professional Development, and statewide arts initiatives.

The Wyoming Arts Council offers an incredible array of programs for organizations and individual artists.

Featured Event: 2023 Shoshone Powwow

Programs of the Wyoming Arts Council

The Wyoming Arts Council is dedicated to nurturing artistic excellence, cultural enrichment, and community engagement across the state through a variety of innovative programs. Our Folk & Traditional Arts initiative celebrates and preserves Wyoming’s rich cultural heritage, while opportunities empower artists, educators, and arts organizations to grow and thrive. Through, we collaborate with state arts education associations and administer programs like Poetry Out Loud, funded by the NEA.

Our Community Development partnerships enhance local programming and drive economic growth, and the Art in Public Buildings program integrates public art into state-funded construction projects, enriching Wyoming’s visual landscape. Special programs and events, including the Governor’s Arts Awards, Plein Air in the Parks, and the Wyoming Youth Arts Council, highlight our commitment to fostering creativity at all levels.

Art in Public Buildings

Art in Public Buildings

In 1991, the 51st Legislature of the State of Wyoming passed the Art in Public Buildings legislation. One percent of construction costs of new, state-owned buildings are to be utilized for placing artwork in the public setting.

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Arts in the State Parks

Arts in the State Parks

Through a vibrant partnership with Wyoming State Parks, the Wyoming Arts Council brings the arts into nature, offering year-round programming that connects creativity with Wyoming’s iconic landscapes.

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Arts Learning

Arts Learning

The Wyoming Arts Council is dedicated to advancing the arts and providing arts learning experiences in both schools and the community.

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Arts Summit

Arts Summit

The Arts Summit is a biennial statewide gathering that brings together artists, arts administrators, educators, and advocates to connect, share knowledge, and strengthen Wyoming’s creative sector through learning and collaboration.

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Biennial Fellowship Exhibition

Biennial Fellowship Exhibition

The Biennial Fellowship Exhibition showcases recent Visual Arts Fellowship recipients, offering the opportunity to experience contemporary artwork by Wyoming artists at major venues across the state every two years.

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Community Development and the Arts

Community Development and the Arts

The Community Development and the Arts Program supports economic growth and local engagement by creating arts-driven opportunities that strengthen Wyoming communities and benefit residents statewide.

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Folk and Traditional Arts

Folk and Traditional Arts

The Folk & Traditional Arts Program preserves and celebrates Wyoming’s cultural heritage by supporting artists, mentoring, and community traditions and events rooted in identity, craft, and generational knowledge.

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Governor’s Arts Awards

Governor’s Arts Awards

Established in 1982, the Governor’s Arts Awards recognize artists, arts organizations and patrons who have displayed excellence in the arts and outstanding service to the arts in Wyoming

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Health and Wellness Through the Arts

Health and Wellness Through the Arts

The Health and Wellness Through the Arts program connects artists, organizations, and healthcare providers to offer creative experiences that support healing, aging, and well-being.

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Performing Arts Showcase

Performing Arts Showcase

This showcase features recent Fellowship recipients in music, theatre, and dance, offering audiences the chance to experience original performances every two years.

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Piatigorsky Foundation Tours

Piatigorsky Foundation Tours

The Piatigorsky Foundation brings the joy of live classical music to rural communities across Wyoming through free public intimate performances.

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Poetry Out Loud

Poetry Out Loud

Wyoming’s Poetry Out Loud and Poetry Ourselves programs engage high school students statewide through poetry, performance, and literary arts education.

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Wyoming Arts Alliance (WyAA)

Wyoming Arts Alliance (WyAA)

The Wyoming Arts Alliance partners with the Arts Council to support presenters and performers through advocacy, resources, and professional development.

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Wyoming Folklife Festival

Wyoming Folklife Festival

Experience Wyoming folk and traditional arts through demonstrations, performances, and community celebration at this free public festival in Cheyenne.

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Wyoming Independent Music Initiative

Wyoming Independent Music Initiative

The Wyoming Independent Music Initiative supports local musicians through artist development and programs like the Road Trip Playlist and Tunes on the Trail.

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Wyoming Poet Laureate

Wyoming Poet Laureate

The Wyoming Poet Laureate program honors literary excellence and inspires statewide appreciation for poetry and the written word.

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Wyoming Youth Arts Council

Wyoming Youth Arts Council

The Wyoming Youth Arts Council is a statewide initiative that empowers high school students (ages 15–19) to grow as creative leaders through the arts and leadership development.

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