Gov. Spencer Cox held a ceremonial signing of H.B. 313 on Wednesday changing the name of the Department of Heritage & Arts to the Department of Cultural & Community Engagement.
The Legislature approved the name change during this year’s general session and it becomes official on May 5. On that day, the department will launch a new website at community.utah.gov and unveil a new department logo.
During the past few years, the department has expanded its roles and constituencies. In 2019, the STEM Action Center joined the department as its seventh division, complementing existing educational programs.
Department Executive Director Jill Remington Love said in 2020, the Division of Multicultural Affairs was created and the division became a leading voice for social equity during the COVID pandemic.
Love said all of these roles made the name of Heritage & Arts limiting as a description of all the provided services. Feedback also indicated many employees, as well as the people and organizations served, felt it did not capture the essence of their work.
