CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Feb. 18, 2026 — Outdoor industry leaders, stakeholders, agency personnel, and community members from across the state will gather in Saratoga this spring for the 2026 Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Summit (WORS), taking place April 30–May 1, 2026, at the Platte Valley Community Center.

Co-hosted by the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation and the Jay Kemmerer WORTH Institute, the Summit is the state’s premier annual convening that focuses on strengthening Wyoming’s outdoor recreation economy through collaboration, research, and workforce development. The 2026 Summit theme, “Building Capacity for Tomorrow,” emphasizes intergenerational knowledge exchange, strategic planning, community support, and the importance of partnerships. Sessions will focus on equipping current and future leaders in Wyoming’s outdoor recreation sector with practical tools, resources, and connections to help their communities and organizations thrive.

“Bringing together stakeholders and representatives from across the outdoor recreation industry continues to prove both worthwhile and essential,” said Mark Tesoro, manager of the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation. “This Summit represents the pinnacle of gathering voices from all corners of the industry, and we’re excited to see the momentum that builds from this year’s conversations and collaborations.”

The Summit will feature engaging sessions, panels, and networking opportunities designed to support professionals across outdoor recreation, tourism, hospitality, education, and public service.

“The partnership between the WORTH Institute and the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation allows us to align research, education, and on-the-ground practice in meaningful ways,” said Dan McCoy, director of the Jay Kemmerer WORTH Institute. “We’re helping build the leadership capacity needed to sustain and grow Wyoming’s outdoor recreation sector for generations to come.”
Registration Information

• Early Bird registration is available January 15 to February 28 for $150 per person.
• Regular registration runs from March 1 to April 30 for $200 per person.
• Registration and event details are available at:
  • WOR Summit Webpage
  • WOR Summit Facebook Event

Sponsorship Opportunities
Organizations and businesses interested in supporting the Summit are invited to review the sponsorship packet to explore available tiers and benefits. The deadline to sponsor the event is March 31, 2026.

For additional information, sponsorship inquiries, or general questions, contact Taylor Kruger via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at (307) 766-5019.

Contact: Frances Schaetz, (307) 388-8748, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

CHEYENNE, Wyo. - Feb. 17, 2026 - The Wyoming Arts Council is now accepting applications for the Community Support Grant. Applications are due March 27 at 11:59 p.m. MST.

The Community Support Grant is a competitive funding opportunity designed to help organizations strengthen their communities through the arts. Eligible organizations may request support for operations, specific projects, and arts learning activities. Funding is available for programs and services that take place from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

“While this is a competitive grant, many first-time applicants have received awards over the years,” said Cashmere Balland, grants manager for the Wyoming Arts Council. “This grant allows the Arts Council to direct funding to organizations all across the state, providing support for a variety of programs and projects that best serve those distinct communities.”

Organizations may request up to $10,000 in operating or project support, with an additional $5,000 available for arts learning activities, for a combined maximum of $15,000. The application, along with eligibility requirements and guidelines, is available on the Wyoming Arts Council website at wyomingartscouncil.org under the Grants tab.

Arts Council staff are available to answer questions and encourage applicants to reach out prior to the deadline to help ensure strong submissions. For questions about project eligibility or application content, contact Community Development and Arts Learning Specialist Amara Fehring at (307) 630-3918 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For general questions, contact Grants Manager Cashmere Balland at (307) 214-7819 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Figure 1: Students with the Wyoming Shakespeare Festival Company’s Camp Shakes program view one another’s stage design dioramas. Photo by Ashli Smiley.

Contact: Amara Fehring, (307) 630-3918, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Feb. 13, 2026 – The Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund board will meet February 27, 2026. This board meeting will focus on updates and grantee reports. This public meeting will be held in person at the Wyoming State Library, 2800 Central Avenue, Cheyenne. A Google Meet option is also available.

The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude by approximately 3 p.m. An executive session may be held if necessary.

To participate via the Google Meet option:

Meeting code

http://meet.google.com/orq-hrvy-eci  

Phone Numbers

(‪US)

‪+1 401-552-4156

PIN: ‪896 142 772#

The Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund board meetings are open to the public. The board meeting agenda is available on the WCTF website, http://wyoculturaltrust.com. Please feel free to contact the WCTF Program Coordinator, Renée Bovée, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (307) 777-6312 with any questions.

Contact: Renée Bovée, (307) 777-6312; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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.