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South Jordan interviews three applicants for Arts Council as members pitch broader programming
Summary
Mayor Dawn Ramsey and council members heard from three applicants — Amy Butler, Mandy Barris and Annie Burrell — who described goals including therapeutic arts, expanded local performances and outreach tied to the county performing arts center.
Mayor Dawn Ramsey and members of the South Jordan City Council interviewed three applicants for the city’s Arts Council on Feb. 18, 2025, hearing from artists who said they want to expand local programming and community access.
The applicants — Amy Butler, a photographer and retired counselor; Mandy Barris, a professional musician and nonprofit artistic director; and Annie Burrell, a longtime Daybreak performer — each described why they want a seat on the council and the programming they would encourage if appointed.
The applicants said the council should broaden the city’s arts offerings and lower barriers to participation. Amy Butler said she is “an advocate for therapeutic arts” and wants to encourage people who are new to art to participate through workshops, displays and inclusive outreach.
Mandy Barris said she wants South Jordan to host more orchestra, classical and opera work and to ensure programming is accessible. “Art is for everyone,” Barris told the council, describing educational outreach, performances in nontraditional locations and translated program materials as ways to reach more residents.
Annie Burrell, who performs with regional choruses, said she would focus on building performing-arts opportunities locally so residents can both participate and see familiar faces onstage. “If we could bring it to a more local level with people who live here performing, people are more likely to go,” Burrell said.
Council members asked about overlap with Daybreak’s existing arts groups and whether the applicants were already serving on neighborhood arts councils; the applicants said they live in Daybreak but are not currently on the Daybreak arts council. Applicants’ resumes and applications were distributed to council members prior to the interviews.
Mayor Ramsey said the city aims for a breadth of arts representation on the Arts Council and will consider the balance of skills and disciplines when making appointments. The council did not vote at the study meeting; Ramsey said staff would review applications and follow up on openings.
The council also noted the upcoming regular meeting would include an Arts Council annual update from the arts council chair and that three vacancies exist on the board.
A decision on appointments will be set through the city’s regular resolution process at a future public meeting.
