The Cultural Core Finance Committee oversees the budget and implementation of the Cultural Core Action Plan. The Cultural Core project is an Interlocal Agreement between Salt Lake City Corporation and Salt Lake County for the sharing of revenues in a joint effort to enhance funding for the marketing, branding, development; placemaking; audience development; and improvement of arts and cultural activities within a defined area of downtown Salt Lake City (“Cultural Core”). The Committee Members are responsible, including but not limited to planning, implementation and evaluation of activities appropriate to the intent of the Interlocal Agreement.
Per the Interlocal Agreement, the members shall review and prioritize project expenditures. The Committee is required annually to mutually create an operations budget with the contract holder for review and approval by the Salt Lake City Council and the Salt Lake County Council.
Read more about the Cultural Core Action Plan here.
Currently the contract holder is The Blocks SLC-Downtown SLC Presents through July 2027.
Contact Information
Cultural Core Contract Managers
Felicia Baca (City): (801) 596-5000 or Felicia.Baca@slcgov.com
Executive Director, Salt Lake City Arts Council
Matt Castillo (County): 801-376-8667 or mcastillo@slco.org
Director, Salt Lake County Arts & Culture
Bylaws and Governing Documents
Vacancies
If you are interested in serving on this board, please fill out and submit an application online. Only applications submitted up to one year prior to a vacancy date will be considered. The Mayor’s office will only contact applicants when considering them for specific appointments.
Meeting Information
This committee meets approximately six times per year with retreats as needed.
Member Qualifications
Mayor Erin Mendenhall and the Cultural Core Finance Committee may appoint a minimum of three members from Salt Lake City serving three-year terms. Salt Lake County appoints an additional three members through their respective established procedures. In general, members possess a background and enthusiasm for the arts, although no professional experience is required.
Residency Requirement: Appointees need not be residents of Salt Lake City but are encouraged to live within a 75 minute drive-time radius from Salt Lake City.
Current Members
| # | Member | Serving Since |
| 1 | Spencer Lawson (City) | 2023 |
| 2 | Durga Ekambaram (City) | 2021 |
| 3 | Grace Lin (County)* | 2019 |
| 4 | Lia Summers (County) | 2018 |
| 5 | Isaac Gonzalez (County) | 2022 |
| 6 | Kathryn Carlisle-Kesling (City) | 2023 |
* Co-Chairpersons