OUR MISSION

Visual Art Institute (VAI) has a 46-year legacy of delivering world-class, visual art programming across the Wasatch Front. Visual Art Institute nurtures creative expression teaches imagination and fosters artistic development through in-depth study and experimentation, inspiring confidence, and individuality regardless of age and ability.

OUR VISION

We are a leader in providing a life-changing experience for more than 2,600 individuals each year. Our renowned faculty believes that an introduction to a strong art curriculum at an early age is profoundly beneficial to children, and that art will be a positive reflection throughout their life. Our objective is to improve the technical art skill sets, critical thinking ability, and overall well being of our students.

OUR VALUES

As business professionals, we bring our talents to the workplace daily. We exercise influence, get things done, and move our sector forward. Our professional toolkits are full of the latest and greatest in new ideas and strategies – we are brokers, leaders, educators, artists, and individual producers. Underneath these worthwhile endeavors are our core values that fuel the process. These values are the foundational principles that shape our motives and impact our decisions. The programs, products, and services we deliver will change from time to time, but our core values remain steadfast and permeate every facet from strategy, to people, to progress:

  • CREATIVITY - The ability to experiment unencumbered by judgment, lack of experience, or conditional support. We champion the ability to transcend traditional ways of thinking or acting, and develop new and organizational ideas, methods, or pedagogy. We recognize and uplift every person’s artistic potential. We embrace ourselves as innovators – people who understand that forward thinking and planning is essential to future growth. We actualize the conditions of others to creatively flourish.

  • IMPACT - Imparting on those who have taken our classes, a permanent and lasting feeling of belonging and nurturing, as well as the inspiration to continue honing one’s artistic skills. We demonstrate the immeasurable power of our shared values and collective effort to effect positive, ground-breaking change and deliver excellence for our students, colleagues, and community.

  • COMMUNITY - A sentiment of comradery among one’s own peers, where an individual feels free to learn, make mistakes, and reach their artistic and creative potential. We place priority on providing a safe and welcoming space where creative minds can flourish regardless of culture, race, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, or economic status. Additionally, we believe that organizations can only be successful when we are engaged in making our communities a better place. We value the people and organizations around us and are committed to collaborate with other partners. We actively give back through teaching, mentoring, volunteering, discounted services, and donations. Our personnel and engaged Board of Directors are our greatest asset. Great success only comes from committed and inspired individuals. We acquire the best people we can, foster their passion, and empower them to make decisions.

  • INTEGRITY - We conduct our business in accordance with the highest standards of professional behavior and ethics. We are transparent, honest, ethical in all our interactions with stakeholders, employees, benefactors, donors, students, and the community. We hold uncompromising standards where incredible performance leads to extraordinary results. We constantly evaluate ourselves and engage in conversations to continually improve.

  • ACCOUNTABILITY - We measure, monitor, analyze and improve class rigor, productivity, processes, tasks, and ourselves to satisfy students and stakeholders. We work with enthusiasm and intellect. We are driven to surpass what has already been achieved. We understand that fiscal accountability makes us better partners with our donors and a better non-profit organization. We understand that the path to sustainability is paved with responsibility and diligence.

History

Founded in 1978, the Visual Art Institute is Utah’s oldest nonprofit after-school arts organization dedicated to youth.

Our vision began in 1978 when Stephanie Burn determined that her college students at Utah State University had lost their ability to think creatively.  VAI came as the result of her desire to teach children how to maintain and foster their creativity throughout their lives.  Since the founding of the institute, thousands of youth have had the opportunity to work with hundreds of local working artists in the community in a variety of media. 

In 1998, Bruce Robertson took over as the Executive Director.  That same year, VAI began working with public schools and offering tuition assistance to provide better access to low-income youth. By expanding these programs, services, and instruction to more youth, VAI has become an essential part of Salt Lake's art community.

Many students earn local, state, and national awards, and receive scholarships and entrance into top universities and art schools throughout the country.  Their success is due in part to VAI's dedication to assisting serious art students build their confidence, technical skills, and portfolios.  Bruce Robertson's ongoing guidance has helped students gain a competitive edge over other applicants by coaching them through their high school years and offering invaluable insight as students pursue higher education.

In early 2022, our Board of Directors adopted a co-leadership model so that Bruce could solely focus on curriculum development and art programming as a full-time Art Director. In July 2022, VAI selected Hana Janatová as the new Executive Director to co-lead the organization in our  new South Salt Lake Facility. Together, Bruce and Hana are building upon VAI's legacy of human development through artistic discovery and expression, we invite all to join us in a future where VAI broadens its influence and remains an enduring asset within Utah's art and cultural landscape.