National Endowment for the Arts honors Story Crossroads 

West Jordan, UT—Story Crossroads, in partnership with the Utah Storytelling Guild and Nubian Storytellers of Utah Leadership, is pleased to announce it is the recipient of a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for Celebrating America250: Arts Projects Honoring the National Garden of American Heroes. A grant of $25,000 will support a series of storytelling performances celebrating American heroes, presented as part of America250. 

NEA Senior Advisor Mary Anne Carter said, “As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary, the National Endowment for the Arts is honored to support communities across the country in recognizing the individuals whose contributions have defined our history. Story Crossroads’ project in Utah plays a significant role in commemorating these heroes’ legacies while affirming the enduring role of the arts in shaping America’s future.” 

“Storytelling has always been one of the most powerful ways we remember who we are and how we came to be,” said Rachel Hedman, Founding Executive Director of Story Crossroads. “This support from the NEA allows us to honor American heroes through diverse voices and lived experiences, while creating space for dialogue, learning, and connection across generations and communities.” 

Through a Chair’s extraordinary action award, Story Crossroads will host a series of storytelling performances at the Salt Lake Art Museum honoring 12 American heroes, in partnership with the Utah Storytelling Guild and Nubian Storytellers of Utah Leadership. The project will include live performances, facilitated community discussions, and educational materials, with all programs made available for streaming online to reach audiences nationwide. 

The 50 NEA-supported Arts Projects Honoring the National Garden of American Heroes will honor these individuals through a wide range of artistic disciplines. For more information on other projects included in the NEA’s grant announcement, visit arts.gov/news.