UAA Staff
Utah Arts Alliance owns and runs the Art Castle District. Meet the staff and board who lead it.
About Utah Arts Alliance
We believe the arts are humanity’s most powerful tool for connection, belonging and healing. Utah Arts Alliance has run for 24 years. We champion the artists and art forms the establishment overlooks.
UAA gives artists places to create and gives people of all ages and means ways to experience their work. We run galleries, performances, festivals, community radio, artist workspaces and immersive art attractions. Our signature programs include the Urban Arts Festival, ILLUMINATE, Dreamscapes, the Alliance Theater and KUAA 99.9 FM.
Dreamscapes, UAA’s immersive art experience. Photos by SQH Photography.
Utah Arts Alliance
Founder and Executive Director
Derek leads UAA’s strategy, programming and major partnerships. He is a prolific artist and serves on community boards.
HR Manager
Shanna runs administration, human resources and internal systems. She worked at the Leonardo Museum and the Utah Renaissance Festival and Fantasy Faire, and she holds a master’s degree in education.
Festival and Events Manager
Faye produces UAA’s festivals, exhibitions and public arts events.
Marketing Manager
Lilly leads marketing across the organization. She brings more than seven years of event marketing, including work with Meow Wolf, Coachella and The DoLaB.
Community Outreach and Venues Manager
Jonathan runs facility operations, safety and maintenance. He worked as a medical social worker before joining UAA.
General Manager, Alliance Theater
Jay is an award-winning actor, director and educator and a member of Actors’ Equity. He served as Festival Director of the Great Salt Lake Fringe Festival.
KUAA Operations Manager
Nate runs the daily operations of KUAA 99.9 FM. He brings about ten years of community radio experience.
KUAA Programming Manager and Morning DJ
David programs KUAA’s schedule and hosts the morning show. He has more than ten years in Salt Lake City community radio.
Operations Manager, Urban Arts Gallery and Dreamscapes; Connect Coordinator
Brenna runs the Urban Arts Gallery and Dreamscapes day to day. She holds a bachelor’s degree in art education.
Creative Production Manager
Ashley is a multidisciplinary artist and fabricator. She joined UAA in 2019 and builds the Dreamscapes environments.
Assistant Creative Production Manager
Merlin is an artist and immersive experience designer. He started at UAA as a volunteer.
Andrew Barrett Watson, Chair · Molly De Bry, Treasurer · Jenn Niedfeldt, Secretary
Planners, architects and advisors also help build the castle. Meet the Castle District team.
Crystal Young
Development Lead, Sterling & Pink
cy@sterlingpink.net
Derek Dyer
Executive Director, Utah Arts Alliance
derek@utaharts.org