Celebrating Utah’s Art—Past, Present, and Future
The Museum
Opening in 2026, the Salt Lake Art Museum is dedicated to celebrating Utah’s world-class artists, from historical masters to today’s visionary creators. As the first new fine art museum in the State’s capital since 1983, we aim to bridge the gap between Utah’s thriving artistic community—home to more fine artists per capita than anywhere else in the nation—and its limited number of art museums.
Housed in the historic B’Nai Israel Temple, a landmark built in 1890 to serve Salt Lake City’s Jewish community, the museum will provide a dynamic space for exhibitions, lectures, competitions, and educational programs. Through regular retrospective exhibitions on both historic and contemporary artists, we honor Utah’s artistic legacy while fostering the talents that will shape its future.
The Building
The B'nai Israel Temple, located at 249 South 400 East in Salt Lake City, Utah, stands as a significant landmark in the state's Jewish history.
Established in 1873, Congregation B'nai Israel commissioned architect Philip Meyer, a German native and nephew of local merchant Frederick Auerbach, to design a new synagogue. Local architect Henry Monheim supervised its construction. The building, completed in 1891, showcases Romanesque Revival architecture, inspired by Berlin's Fasanenstrasse Synagogue. Its main facade features rusticated Kyune sandstone, while brick comprises the side walls and the drum beneath the dome.
In 1972, Congregation B'nai Israel merged with Congregation Montefiore to form Congregation Kol Ami, reflecting a unified Jewish community in Salt Lake City. Following the merger, the original B'nai Israel Temple building was sold and has since been repurposed for various commercial uses, including a restaurant and offices.
Today, the B'nai Israel Temple remains a testament to the enduring presence and contributions of Utah's early Jewish pioneers.
Museum Director, Dr. Micah Christensen
Dr. Micah Christensen is a distinguished art historian and consultant based in Salt Lake City, Utah. He earned his Master's in Fine and Decorative Art from Sotheby's Institute in London, where he collaborated with experts in the London auction scene. He further pursued a PhD in the History of Art from University College London, focusing his doctoral research on the training of artists in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, which involved extensive studies across Spain, Italy, France, and the United Kingdom.
Dr. Christensen served on the Board of the Springville Museum of Art until last year, where he played a key role in supporting and promoting Utah's artistic heritage. Now, as the director of the Salt Lake Art Museum, he is using his extensive training and experience to establish the museum as a leading cultural institution. His vision is to create a space that not only showcases significant works of art but also fosters engagement, education, and appreciation for both historic and contemporary artists.
In addition to his work with museums, Dr. Christensen is a partner at Anthony's Fine Art & Antiques in Salt Lake City and regularly lectures, writes, and consults with public institutions and private collectors. He is a co-author of the Dictionary of Utah Fine Artists and previously served on the Advisory Board of PleinAir Magazine. He is also the founder of the Zion Arts Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to showcasing works by professional and emerging LDS artists to serious enthusiasts.
Through his leadership at the Salt Lake Art Museum, Dr. Christensen aims to cultivate a vibrant, world-class institution that connects the community with the power and history of fine art.