(upbeat music) - The Traveling Exhibition, Voices and Votes: Democracy in America invites communities to explore the history, challenges, and promise of American democracy.

With us now is Jodi Graham, Executive Director of Utah Humanities.

Welcome to the show.

- Thank you so much.

It's great to be here.

Thanks for having me.

- Tell me about this exciting exhibition.

- Right, so as you know, it's America's 250th anniversary this year.

And so the core of our programming, it's a Smithsonian Museum on Main Street traveling exhibit called Voices and Votes: Democracy in America.

And it looks not only at the founding of our nation, but all of the changes that have happened in the 250 years since it was established because a democracy is a living, breathing thing and it is healthiest when we all participate in the democratic process.

- So we know it's the 250th anniversary, but why else is this happening right now?

- Well, you know, it's never a bad time to know and understand the democratic process and how your voice can be heard and the best way to do that.

So it's always important, but especially now.

- Another thing that caught my ear, you said Smithsonian, so there's national participation in this?

- Right, and so the Museum on Main Street program, it takes a Smithsonian exhibit and it puts it in small museums and organizations throughout the country.

And so for us, we're kicking off in West Valley and then the exhibit will travel and will go down to Moab.

It will go up to Ogden, it will go to Vernal and it will end in Cedar City.

- So it's literally coming to people very close.

- It is, the Smithsonian is coming to you.

- I love that.

What really excites you about this exhibit?

- I just think that there are so many things to talk about and there are so many ways that we can celebrate our country's founding beyond fireworks and picnics and those kinds of things.

So hopefully the conversations will happen and people will really see and understand what a unique and amazing thing we have here and what we can do to help keep it strong and healthy.

- Absolutely, and it's a great learning opportunity as well.

- Yes.

Yes it is.

- Well, thank you so much.

If you would like to learn more about this incredible exhibit, put on by Utah Humanities, Voices and Votes: Democracy in America, just head to utahhumanities.org.

You can check out the exhibition at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center, March 28th, starting at 12:00 PM.

I'm Liz Adeola, and thank you so much for watching Contact.

(upbeat music) - Local events, arts, culture.

It's what brings us together.

Hi, I'm Mary Dickson.

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