SALT LAKE CITY — Established in 1984, Art Access works to increase access to the arts through opportunities for artists with disabilities and education for the community and cultural organizations. Our staff and board are excited to open doors to a new, street-facing gallery at 511 West 200 South, Suite 130, Salt Lake City, UT, 84101 in August 2026. “Our new home will not only be more accessible to artists and patrons participating in future events and workshops, but will allow us to expand our reach and meaningfully, consistently connect with our neighbors in the surrounding community.” said Art Access Executive Director Gabriella Huggins. Art Access is grateful for the continued generosity and support of Artspace, who make this new gallery and additional programming space possible.
The first exhibit in the new gallery will be a sale of selected pieces from its Artists Unlimited Permanent Collection. The Permanent Collection is an eclectic body of work by adult artists living with disabilities, purchased by Art Access between 1991 and 2016 at market value to compensate Utah artists with disabilities for their valuable contributions to culture, and for the public to gain new appreciation for art created by people with disabilities. “As Art Access transitions to a new home, we want to ensure Permanent Collection pieces also have a proper place to be enjoyed and maintained. This sale is a celebration of our legacy and new beginnings for the organization and the community of artists we exist to serve.” Art Access will collaborate with Artspace neighbors to program a workshop space near the new gallery moving into the fall.
Art Access is currently fundraising to get our new gallery ready. Support will fund museum-quality track lighting, a new art hanging system, accessible gallery furniture, Braille labels and other accessible exhibition materials, healthier indoor air through masks and air filtration, and welcoming entrance graphics that reflect our mission from the moment visitors arrive. Link to donate is https://givebutter.com/2026-new-gallery-t2yaiv.
In addition to the gallery-workshop and flagship Partners program, which pairs emerging artists with disabilities with established artists for co-mentorship and artistic development, Art Access also collaborates on Breaking Barriers: A Cultural Accessibility Project. This joint venture between Art Access and the Utah Division of Arts & Museums provides disability accessibility training to Utah cultural institutions at no cost. Through its work with Breaking Barriers, Art Access furthers awareness of the need and advantages of universal accessibility.
