CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Feb. 12, 2026 – The Wyoming Arts Council board will hold its quarterly meeting Thursday and Friday, Feb. 26–27, in the Big Horn Room at Little America in Cheyenne.

The meeting will begin at 1 p.m. Thursday, when board members will hear reports, receive updates on Arts Council initiatives, plan for upcoming events, and conduct business. An executive session may be called if necessary. The meeting will adjourn at 4:30 p.m. The board will reconvene Friday from 9 to 11:30 a.m.

Members of the public are invited to attend any portion of the meeting to observe the board process. Public comment will be accepted Friday at 10:30 a.m., providing an opportunity to share news, events, or feedback with the Arts Council board. The public may attend in person or join virtually via Google Meet at meet.google.com/jwh-yckz-rqi, or by calling‪ +1 316-835-1106‬ and entering PIN: ‪354 293 770‬#. All callers will be muted except during the public comment period.

The mission of the Wyoming Arts Council is to provide leadership and invest resources to champion, sustain, and cultivate community through the arts.

For a detailed agenda or more information, contact the Wyoming Arts Council office at (307) 777-7742.

Contact: Mandy Connelley, (307) 214-2701; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Feb. 11, 2026 — In recognition of America’s 250th anniversary, Wyoming State Parks and the Wyoming Arts Council, both part of the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources, have announced a statewide artist residency program that will place 18 Wyoming artists in residencies at state parks across the state during the summer and fall of 2026.

The residency program will feature artists working in visual arts, performing arts, folk and traditional arts, and creative writing. Selected artists will spend four days immersed in a Wyoming state park and will conclude their residency with a required public program inspired by Wyoming’s official semiquincentennial theme:

• Honoring our past: Commemorate Wyoming’s history, places, and people.
• Examining our present: Review Wyoming’s role in America today.
• Imagining our future: Plan for Wyoming’s leadership in America’s future.

“We are pleased to host artists of all backgrounds and disciplines whose work reflects the rich history and landscapes of Wyoming’s state parks, places that have shaped this nation’s past, its peoples, and cultures,” said Christina Bird, district manager for Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails.

Residency artists will develop a public component that engages park visitors and local communities through workshops, performances, exhibitions, or readings. Artists will propose their public program as part of the application process and will work with park staff to determine appropriate locations within each park.

Applications opened on Monday, Feb. 2, and must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. March 23, 2026, through the Wyoming Arts Council’s Submittable platform at wyomingartscouncil.submittable.com/submit. Applicants must be Wyoming residents age 18 or older. Both emerging and established artists will be considered, and Native artists and folk and traditional artists are strongly encouraged to apply.

Each selected artist will receive a $1,400 stipend, with lodging provided by the host park. Lodging options vary by location and may include tent camping, RV sites, cabins, dorms, or yurts. Each residency will run from Wednesday through Saturday and will conclude with a public program on Saturday.

Residency Dates, Locations, and Disciplines:

• June 3–6, 2026: Glendo State Park, visual art
• June 3–6, 2026: Curt Gowdy State Park, music
• June 10–13, 2026: Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site, visual art
• June 17–20, 2026: Hot Springs State Park, dance
• June 24–27, 2026: Sinks Canyon State Park, visual art
• July 8–11, 2026: Edness K. Wilkins State Park, music
• July 15–18, 2026: Buffalo Bill State Park, dance
• July 22–25, 2026: Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site, visual art
• July 29–Aug. 1, 2026: Edness K. Wilkins State Park, visual art
• Aug. 5–8, 2026: Guernsey State Park, creative writing
• Aug. 12–15, 2026: Curt Gowdy State Park, visual art
• Aug. 19–22, 2026: Buffalo Bill State Park, music
• Aug. 26–29, 2026: Glendo State Park, music
• Sept. 2–5, 2026: Keyhole State Park, dance
• Sept. 2–5, 2026: Guernsey State Park, visual art
• Sept. 9–12, 2026: Hot Springs State Park, creative writing
• Sept. 16–19, 2026: Sinks Canyon State Park, creative writing
• Sept. 23–26, 2026: Keyhole State Park, creative writing

Funding for the residency program was provided through the Wyoming Semiquincentennial Planning Task Force. The grants program was launched in 2025 with a $2 million appropriation from the Wyoming Legislature to support projects that recognize Wyoming’s role in American history and explore the state’s cultural legacy and future potential.

For more information about the residency program, visit wyomingartscouncil.org or contact Rachel Clifton, executive director of the Wyoming Arts Council, at (307) 256-0500 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Figure 1: Georgia Rowswell works on a fabric piece at Hot Springs State Park. A Wyoming-based fiber artist, Rowswell creates textured landscapes inspired by the American West using repurposed textiles. She was a 2025 Wyoming State Parks & Cultural Resources Artist-in-Residence and, alongside her husband Dave, part of the program’s first duo residency.

Contact: Rachel Clifton, (307) 256-0500; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CROWHEART, Wyo. —  Feb. 11, 2026 — A public ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, at noon to celebrate the installation of a new interpretive sign at Crowheart Butte, a prominent landmark in Wyoming’s Wind River country that honors Eastern Shoshone oral history and the legacy of Chief Washakie.

The new sign is located just north of U.S. Highway 26, approximately 34 miles southeast of Dubois and four miles southeast of the community of Crowheart. Crowheart Butte takes its name from a mid-1800s conflict between the Eastern Shoshone and the Crow over hunting rights in the region.

According to Eastern Shoshone oral traditions, the conflict ended when Chief Washakie and Crow Chief Big Robber agreed to a duel, bringing the fighting to a close and establishing peace between the tribes.

The interpretive sign also recognizes Chief Washakie’s enduring leadership. Known for his wisdom and fearlessness, he guided the Eastern Shoshone through a period of significant change while securing a homeland rich in natural resources—land that continues to sustain the Eastern Shoshone people today.

The ribbon-cutting event is open to the public.

The Monuments and Markers Program is a cooperative effort among the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources (SPCR), the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT), the Wyoming Office of Tourism (WOT), Wyoming Tribes, local governments, and private individuals and organizations. The Monuments and Markers Program installs new historical markers and maintains existing monuments, markers, and interpretive signage. 

Learn more about this program at wyoparks.wyo.gov.

Figure 1: A public ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, at noon to celebrate the installation of a new interpretive sign at Crowheart Butte. 

Contact: Savannah Graham, (307) 777-6314; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

LANDER, Wyo. – Feb. 10, 2026 – The Wyoming State Trails Program, part of the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources, invites motorized recreationists to join them in a multi-day, cross-Wyoming trek from Evanston, WY, to Cheyenne, WY, July 1-4, 2026. 

“The Wyoming State Trails Program, and our dedicated partners, are honored to announce the launch of a first-of-its-kind, organized, long-distance ride across the state,” stated Forrest Kamminga, State Trails Program manager. “This exciting event is the culmination of several years of hard work developing long-distance Off-Road Vehicle routes across Wyoming.”

The event was proposed by Sweetwater County Senator Stacy Jones, a member of the Wyoming Legislature’s Travel, Recreation, Wildlife, and Cultural Resources (TRWCR) committee. The event was developed through the efforts of the Wyoming State Trails Program and the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation, in collaboration with Southwest Wyoming Off-road Trails (SWOT), the Wyoming Trails Alliance, and the Sweetwater Snowpokes Snowmobile and ATV Club.

Participants are welcome to caravan via side-by-sides, ATVs, dirt bikes, and other motorized machines through Wyoming for three days leading up to America’s 250th celebration. 

The multi-day excursion will include the following stops per day:

• July 1, 2026: Starting in Evanston, WY, and ending in Rock Springs, WY
• July 2, 2026: Starting in Rock Springs, WY, and ending in Saratoga, WY
• July 3, 2026: Starting in Saratoga, WY, and ending in Laramie, WY
• July 4, 2026: Starting in Laramie, WY, and ending in Cheyenne, WY

The route will be established on mostly dirt roads, with some paved sections. Cell service will be limited throughout the trip. 

“The plan isn’t for this to be a one-time experience; we’re looking forward to riders using this trail for years to come,” shared Mark Tesoro, manager for the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation. “Motorized recreation is one of the many ways to experience Wyoming’s best assets; hop on your side-by-side, ATV, or dirt bike and join us.”

All participants must bring their own machine, and participating machines must be license-plated. Riders are expected to be self-sufficient; come prepared with the minimum street legal equipment, tools, fuel, food, water, and camping supplies for emergencies.

Room blocks will be established at the identified stopping locations each night; participants may book a room through these blocks or arrange their own lodging. 

Capacity for this experience is 50 machines; all interested parties must register at wyorec.info/250thRideRegistration by March 1, 2026. Registration may close earlier if capacity is met before the deadline. Registration is $100/person, non-refundable, and all fees will be collected by the Sweetwater Snowpokes Snowmobile and ATV Club. 

Upon arrival in Cheyenne, WY, participants may enjoy the festivities around the Capitol and city at their leisure. 

To learn more about this experience, refer all questions to Forrest Kamminga via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.or by phone at (307) 335-2671. 

Figure 1: Participants ride ATVs and UTVs along designated routes during an annual off-road event near Mountain View, Wyoming. Image courtesy of Southwest Wyoming Off-Road Trails.

LARAMIE, Wyo. – Feb. 10, 2026 – The Wyoming Arts Council is accepting applications for a public art opportunity at the University of Wyoming’s Aquatic Center. The University of Wyoming is constructing a new Aquatic Center on its Laramie campus that will include competition-level swimming and diving facilities. Artwork will be commissioned for a prominent interior wall through the state’s Art in Public Buildings program.

The Request for Qualifications is open to artists through March 2, 2026, with all submissions due via CaFÉ at CallForEntry.org by 11:59 p.m. MST. This national call is open to artists residing in the United States and its territories, with preference given to Wyoming-based artists. Details and entry requirements are available at artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=16670.

The total project budget for artwork, installation, and artist stipend is $90,000. A long interior feature wall leading to the pool from the main entrance has been identified as the primary location for artwork. Artists may propose work that is either two-dimensional or three-dimensional and created in any material except water. Design considerations should reflect themes such as transparency, movement, light, human power, athleticism, speed, and water or rivers, as they relate to swimming. Durable, “touchable” materials are recommended due to high foot traffic, and finished work should not conflict with the building’s architectural materials.

A project committee including Wyoming Arts Council staff, community members, project architects, and facility managers will review submissions and select finalists. Finalists will be invited to develop and present formal design proposals, including budgets and renderings. Artwork installation is planned for January 2027, following scheduled occupancy in fall 2026.

The Art in Public Buildings program, administered by the Wyoming Arts Council, was established in 1991 to set aside a portion of state capital construction funds for commissioning artwork for new or renovated public facilities. Since its inception, more than 200 works of art have been installed in and around public buildings across Wyoming for residents and visitors to enjoy.

Additional information about the Wyoming Arts Council and the Art in Public Buildings program is available at wyomingartscouncil.org.

Figure 1: A rendering of the University of Wyoming’s new Aquatic Center in Laramie. Image courtesy of Arete Design Group.

Contact: Ismael Dominguez, (307) 475-4476; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Feb. 9, 2026 – The Wyoming Arts Council is now accepting applications for Folk & Traditional Arts Mentoring Project Grants. Applications are due April 6, 2026.

The grant supports master artists in folk and traditional art forms as they pass on knowledge and skills to apprentices within their communities through in-person, hands-on instruction. Mentors work with apprentices over time to advance skills in a specific traditional art form.

Funded projects must take place between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027, and span a minimum of six months. Each selected project will receive $5,000, including $4,000 for the mentor artist honorarium and $1,000 for materials and or travel. Applications must be completed jointly by the mentor artist and apprentice. Up to five projects will be selected through a panel review process.

“We’re excited to support artists across Wyoming who are working to sustain traditional arts within their communities,” said Josh Chrysler of the Wyoming Arts Council. “If you are interested in teaching or learning a traditional art form and have questions about the program or application process, we encourage you to reach out.”

Recent grant recipients have represented a wide range of traditional art forms, including Mexican ballet folklórico, rawhide braiding, beadworking, regalia making, and fly rod making.

The application is available online at forms.gle/8WEmuJaX5PxEYTVW8, or applicants may contact the Wyoming Arts Council to request a paper copy.

For more information, contact Folklorist & Health and Wellness Specialist, Josh Chrysler, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (307) 256-2010. Additional details are available under the Grants tab at wyomingartscouncil.org.

Figure 1: Mentor artist Lisa Sherrodd teaches Paige Gustafson, both of Laramie, the traditional art of Swedish dalmålning through the Wyoming Arts Council’s Folk & Traditional Arts Mentoring Project Grant program.

Contact: Josh Chrysler, (307) 256-2010; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Feb. 9, 2026 –  The Department of Enterprise Technology Services (ETS) and the Wyoming State Archives (WSA) have received approval from the Governor's Office for an Email Management Policy designed to reduce costs and improve records compliance across state government. Following successful pilot projects at ETS and the Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources (SPCR), the policy will now be implemented statewide.

The policy, which also received the Attorney General's Office approval, establishes a four-tier retention system based on employee job functions, ensuring that email is treated the same as any other paper records and other digital files while complying with Wyoming statutes.

Four-Tier Retention Framework

The policy establishes clear retention periods based on position function levels:

• Level 1 - General State Staff: 5 years after departure (administrative tasks, internal communications)
• Level 2 - Fiscal State Staff: 8 years after departure (financial records, budget communications)
• Level 3 - Administrative State Staff: 10 years after departure (operational activities, project management)
• Level 4 - Legal, Compliance, and Executive Staff: Permanent retention (legal matters, executive decisions, historical records)

Multi-Layered Review Protects Critical Records

Before any email account is destroyed, a comprehensive review process ensures valuable records are preserved. Agency Records Officers, Human Resources staff, and State Archives personnel evaluate accounts, with the State Archivist —and in some cases, the Wyoming State Records Committee—approving all destruction requests. Records related to ongoing litigation are protected regardless of standard retention periods.

Key Benefits for Wyoming Taxpayers

• Cost Reduction: Systematic deletion of emails that have exceeded retention requirements eliminates unnecessary storage costs and frees email licenses for reuse, reducing the number of new licenses the state must purchase.
• Operational Efficiency: Clear protocols reduce staff time spent managing email retention, allowing employees to focus on core responsibilities.
• Standardization: Ensures emails follow the same retention schedules as paper records and other digital files.
• Simplified Compliance: Provides clear guidance that makes compliance easier for state agencies.

"This policy doesn't change our records retention requirements—it provides transparency and clear processes for applying existing standards to email," explained Sara Davis, Wyoming State Archivist. "Agencies will find compliance easier, not more complicated."

Addressing the Email Challenge

Wyoming law (W.S. 9-2-401(a)(v)) defines public records by their content and business purpose, not their format. However, email systems have accumulated decades of messages that have exceeded their retention periods but remain in storage due to a lack of clear management protocols. This policy provides the systematic framework for efficiently managing email while ensuring compliance.

Comprehensive Scope and Clear Responsibilities

The policy covers Google-related digital resources–including email, calendars, instant messaging, and shared drives–for all state employees, contractors, and temporary staff. It establishes specific responsibilities for employees, agency records officers, human resources departments, the State Archives, and ETS.

Legal Safeguards

• Litigation holds protect records related to ongoing legal matters
• Written exceptions process for special circumstances
• Annual policy review to reflect changing requirements
• Attorney General approval required for litigation-related destruction

Alignment with National Standards

Wyoming's approach aligns with the National Archives and Records Administration's Capstone Method, which federal agencies use successfully to manage executive branch email records.

Implementation and Training

Statewide implementation begins immediately with comprehensive support:

• Training Sessions: The Records Management Unit of the Wyoming State Archives will provide informational sessions for agency records coordinators
• Technical Configuration: ETS will configure systems to support the retention framework
• Ongoing Support: Agencies will receive continued assistance to ensure a smooth transition to standardized email management practices

Pilot Project Validated Effectiveness

Pilot projects at ETS and SPCR demonstrated the policy's effectiveness, validated the four-tier retention framework, and identified best practices that informed final policy development.

"Our goal is twofold," Davis noted. "Eliminate unnecessary costs while ensuring emails documenting Wyoming's governmental history are permanently preserved. This policy achieves both objectives through a thoughtful, systematic approach."

Free Informational Sessions

State agencies seeking more information about the Email Management Policy are welcome to attend free informational sessions hosted by State Archives staff. Sessions will be held online:

• Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 9 a.m.
• Friday, Feb. 13 at 2 p.m.
• Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 2 p.m.
• Friday, Feb. 20 at 10 a.m.

To Join

Google Meet joining info

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/hgt-ybuc-reb

Or dial: ‪(US) +1 347-201-6875‬ PIN: ‪645 315 231‬#

For more information

Contact Carmen Clayton, Supervisor of the Wyoming State Archives Records Management Unit, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit the Events page at wyoarchives.wyo.gov/index.php/about-archives/events. 

Access to Full Policy

The complete Email Management Policy is available online at wyoarchives.wyo.gov/index.php/record-retention-schedules/361-schedules.

About the Wyoming State Archives

The Wyoming State Archives preserves state public records with long-term administrative, legal, and historical value, assists agencies with records management, and provides public access to historical records. Visit wyoarchives.wyo.gov.

About the Department of Enterprise Technology Services

ETS provides comprehensive technology solutions to Wyoming state government, including network infrastructure, cybersecurity, data center operations, and enterprise applications.

Contact: Sara Davis, (307) 777-7826; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Feb. 6, 2026 – The Wyoming Arts Council will host the state finals for two student poetry programs, Poetry Out Loud and Poetry Ourselves, on March 1 and 2 in Cheyenne. Both events are free and open to the public and will showcase the voices and creative achievements of high school students from across Wyoming.

The Poetry Ourselves State Finals Competition will take place Sunday, March 1, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Laramie County Library’s Cottonwood Room, 2200 Pioneer Ave. Poetry Ourselves is a Wyoming-specific program that recognizes literary achievement among students in grades 9–12 attending public, private, or home schools. The competition includes spoken and written word categories featuring original student work.

Following the judged portion of the event, the microphone will be open to students, educators, and community members who wish to share original poetry or a favorite poem. Participants are encouraged to be mindful of the audience and to provide a content warning when appropriate.

The Poetry Out Loud State Finals Competition will be held Monday, March 2, at 10 a.m. at the Lincoln Auditorium, 1615 Central Ave. Poetry Out Loud is a national poetry recitation and memorization program sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation. The program is designed for students in grades 9–12 and supports language arts education through the study and performance of poetry.

Students advance to the state finals after competing at the classroom and school levels. Each school champion will recite three poems across three competition rounds. Wyoming’s Poetry Out Loud state champion will advance to the national finals in Washington, D.C., later this spring.

For more information, contact Ismael Dominguez, programs specialist with the Wyoming Arts Council, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Additional information is available at wyomingartscouncil.org.

Figure 1: Students participating in Poetry Out Loud and Poetry Ourselves pose with Gov. Mark Gordon at the 2025 Poetry Out Loud Awards Banquet.

Figure 2: Kadence Aagard of Worland High School recites an original poem at the 2025 Poetry Ourselves event.

Contact: Ismael Dominguez, (307) 475-4476; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Feb. 6, 2026 – As cultural institutions face rising costs and the ever-growing needs of their collection, finding archival-safe creative storage solutions is essential to the long-term preservation of Wyoming’s history.

In this month’s Quick Tips session, the Wyoming State Archives’ Roving Archivist, Morgan Stence, will provide guidance on what to look for, the pros and cons of certain containers, and budget-friendly alternatives for cultural institutions.

Join us Thursday, Feb. 19, at 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. via Google Meet at meet.google.com/bgr-reit-tkr or dial (US) +1 319-449-2718, PIN: 581 688 137#.

“Anything but a Box” is designed to provide staff and volunteers at museums, libraries, and archives statewide with practical knowledge needed to protect Wyoming’s history using a wider range of materials. This session will highlight how institutions can adapt their collection care practices to address urgent matters.

“Sometimes a cultural institution just doesn’t have it in the budget to get everything their collections need, so they need to make compromises in order to address larger issues,” said Stence. “If this session can help in making the compromise easier, then maybe the collections staff can rest assured that they are making the right call.”

Attendees will learn:

●   Archival and museum standard for storage;

●   Criteria to check against when selecting materials;

●   Budgetary options to the Hollinger Box; and,

●   How to determine when a Hollinger Box is a necessity.

Supporting Wyoming's Cultural Heritage Mission

The Roving Archivist Program Quick Tips series represents SHRAB's ongoing commitment to providing accessible professional development for Wyoming's cultural heritage community. These sessions support institutions statewide in improving their preservation practices and collections care.

For more information about the Roving Archivist Program, visit rovingarchivist.wyo.gov/home or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

About Wyoming SHRAB

The Wyoming SHRAB promotes identification, preservation, and dissemination of the state's historical records by supporting training programs for state, tribal, and local governments, repositories, and organizations involved in records care throughout Wyoming. Grants are made available through Wyoming SHRAB by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission and administered by the Wyoming State Archives, Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources.

For more information, please contact Wyoming State Archivist Sara Davis at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call the WSA at (307) 777-7826. You can also learn more about the Wyoming State Archives at wyoarchives.wyo.gov.

Contact: Morgan Stence, (307) 777-7550; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.