"November 5, 2024
[ATTN:] Art Access Board of Directors
230 South 500 West, #110
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Dear Art Access Board of Directors and Donors,
My name is Mariah Mellus, and I am the executive director at Utah Film Center, a non-profit organization that provides film exhibitions, artist support, and media education to over 40,000 Utahns across the state. I have also been a huge fan and a volunteer for Art Access over the last 28 years.
The Utah Film Center team completed the Breaking Barriers training from Art Access in 2021, and it has fundamentally changed our operational practices as an arts and culture organization. The work Art Access does to provide support organizations like mine is unparalleled in the country. I am writing you today to implore you and your network of supporters to do everything you can to ensure this vital program and organization remains in the cultural lexicon for years to come in our state.
Utah Film Center values the ability to be an organization for ALL Utahns, regardless of their physical, mental, and/or developmental needs. We interact with the community with film screenings, film festivals, and education programs in the K-12 public school system. Because of our diverse offerings and our mission to reduce barriers to accessing our programming, we knew completing Art Access’s Breaking Barriers training was essential. The result of this training has changed our exhibition practices and school offerings in the state. We also learned how far behind the film industry, in general, is in providing accessibility for film exhibitions, thus cementing our goal to be an exemplary leader in our state and nation by building an accessibility plan. None of this could have been done without the abundant resources provided via Art Access. Since our training in 2021, and with Art Access’s guidance and consultation, we have successfully implemented a comprehensive accessibility plan that includes the following:
a. closed captioning subtitles for EVERY screening,
b. accessible venues that permit service animals and seating for EVERY community screening,
c. ASL-interpreted screenings for our K-8 field trips,
d. Sensory-friendly screenings for our K-8 field trips that include gentle sound, lighting, and the ability for students to move freely,
e. noise-dampening equipment and noise amplification equipment for use by our patrons who need sensory processing or noise amplification support during a screening,
f. ASL accessibility platforms on our website for ease of navigation,
g. An accessibility form that allows patrons to inform us of their accessibility needs and
h. Accessibility-informed renovations to our new offices and screening venue that include accessibility ramps, bathrooms, and an elevator to our second floor.
This is just a small snapshot of what the Utah Film Center could do because of the powerful and impactful training Art Access provided to our organization. The actions of our organization speak in the feedback we’ve received from the community we serve.
“Wow. You have no idea how excited and happy our students are to be here on a field trip designed specifically for our needs. We have never been on a field trip before because we can't guarantee all accessibility needs. Thank you for providing these from registration to arriving at the site to the end of the field trip!" - Teacher, Jean Massieu School of the Deaf
I hope this letter can provide guidance to the Board of Directors on the essential importance of Art Access to our state and non-profit arts organizations and the communities they serve. I hope to see a future where Art Access can support the Utah arts community for years to come.
Sincerely,
Mariah Mellus
Executive Director
Utah Film Center"