The Salt Lake City Arts Council is proud to introduce the new Assistant Director, Taylor Knuth.

Knuth will begin January 4, 2021, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge in fields including development and grantmaking, inclusion and access, and team management. He has experience working in government, with nonprofits and arts organizations and holds a Master’s in Arts Administration, a BA in Musical Theater.

He brings with him an unrivaled passion and excitement for representation and collaboration, inclusive leadership, public advocacy, strategic community engagement, and relationship stewardship. This is demonstrated by his efforts as the Development Director for Weber State University and Onstage Ogden where he oversaw creating a cultivation and engagement strategy, convened with constituents from diverse backgrounds and stakeholder groups to cultivate long-term support, and developed and implemented multi-faceted fundraising strategies. Knuth is currently serving on the Ogden Diversity Commission, the Utah Cultural Alliance Public Advocacy Board, Ogden Civic Action Network, and more.

“I am so thrilled to join an amazing team and organization with a proven track record of excellence in the arts and culture industries, collaboration, and innovation!” Says Knuth, “Salt Lake City is Utah’s vibrant capital city and is a leader in our great state in promoting values of inclusion and access for the arts.”

Knuth will be primarily responsible for working directly with program managers to implement a new strategic plan in 2021 for the Arts Council focused on fostering cultural equity and social impact, strengthening organizational health and development, cultivating and building partnerships, and elevating the arts sector. He will support and uplift the Salt Lake City Arts Council’s mission and vision through administrative support and engagement with the community, working with people from diverse racial, ethic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Knuth will also administer the City Arts Grants Program, while long-time Assistant Director Kelsey Ellis transitions to the role of Budget and Operations Manager. He is most excited about supporting a team that contributes to arts initiatives in one of the fastest growing cities in the country and spending more time in Downtown Salt Lake City. He is a firm believer in the arts and culture and the power they hold in building vibrant and vital communities.

When Taylor isn’t working towards his PhD for Education, Culture, and Society at the U of U, you can find him and his partner Sean hiking their border collie, Aussie mix dog Tedd or with his head in books.

The Arts Council looks forward to seeing how Taylor Knuth encourages the continual growth and advancement of the arts in Salt Lake City.

Welcome Taylor!