Early yesterday, Ifo Pili, the newly commissioned West Valley City Manager, called a meeting with the staff of the West Valley City Division of Arts and Culture.
In this meeting, he announced the abrupt decision to close the West Valley Performing Arts Center and subsequently the disillusionment of the theatrical programming arm of West Valley Arts. When questioned about the decision, Mr. Pili noted this decision came about in a closed and non-public meeting of the city council, but the ultimate decision was made by himself. This decision impacts the residents of West Valley City, theatre patrons and artists in Utah including actors, technicians, set designers, intimacy coordinators, musicians, and directors that have been uplifted and enriched by the presence of West Valley Performing Arts Center, a theatre that is committed to diverse and inclusive casting and increasing accessibility to live theatre. 

The closing down of this venue would mean the diminishment of quality and important storytelling due to fewer opportunities for BIPOC, AFAB, and disabled actors and artists, as well as fewer inclusive and important venues to hold workshops, classes, and other community events for marginalized people of all stripes such as the poetry workshops, director talkbacks, and EPOCA classes (an acting class by actors of color for actors of color). 

With the nearly concurrent pending closure of Abravanel Hall, right now is the time to make our voices heard and tell those in power that the arts are necessary and that they are not a luxury. Artists are important and we will fight to have spaces to tell our stories. Venues such as WVPAC provide a safe and inclusive environment for artists to do what they love and form important professional as well as personal relationships. The stories that are told at this theatre are invaluable and this venue has served as a voice in ways that other places do not dare do because of the patron demographics they serve and those that sponsor their operations. Join me in signing this petition and share with everyone in your community to save the West Valley Performing Arts Center.