Launchpad Artistic Incubation Program

At Salt Lake County Arts & Culture, we are committed to cultivating and supporting a vibrant and sustainable arts ecosystem by nurturing the next generation of artistic talent in Salt Lake County.

To further this mission, Arts & Culture is pleased to announce the inauguration of Launchpad, our new artistic incubation program. Launchpad empowers emerging to mid-career artists to create and perform new works by providing expanded access to Arts & Culture venues, services, and resources.

Launchpad Objectives

* Empower Artists by removing financial and logistical barriers at Arts & Culture venues, allowing artists the freedom to create and perform new works.

* Nurture Artists by sharing knowledge through mentorship, curated workshops, and production opportunities.

* Strengthen Artists by offering creative collaborations between Launchpad participants and seasoned professional artists.

Launchpad is a nine-month program (January-September 2027), pairing three artists or artist collectives (Artist Cohort) with a Fellow. Over the nine months, each artist/artist collective within the Artist Cohort will create, rehearse, and perform an original evening-length work under the mentorship of the Fellow and production support from Arts & Culture.

Multidisciplinary theatre artist, director, and educator Robert Scott Smith will serve as the inaugural Launchpad Fellow. Head of the BFA Actor Training Program at the University of Utah and Co-Artistic Director of Flying Bobcat Theatrical Laboratory, Smith brings extensive experience in new work development and mentorship to the role. In addition to staging two of his own original performances with Arts & Culture support, he will directly guide the cohort through hands-on skill-building and collaborative mentorship. .

The Artist Cohort application is open through September 18. See the Artist Cohort page https://www.saltlakecountyarts.org/launchpad-artistic-incubation-program?section=artist for more information and a link to the application.