Pushing Creative Culture Forward!

T he focus of 1520 ARTS is to help grow the Arts community in Utah.  This is done through platforms, workshops, performances and education. The ultimate goal is to provide members of our community with a chance to learn, work and create while exposing our local communities to people from all over the country. By providing a forum to unite artists and their families in passion for their art, participants in 1520 Arts are inspired to succeed not only on the dance floor, but in life itself.

2026 As we enter 2026, we are feeling refreshed and focused on the future!  Over the last decade we have grown from a few people throwing events into a full blown non-profit with a wealth of programs that stretch across many disciplines.  Our history is deeply rooted in Hip Hop culture and we will continue to champion Hip Hop & Street Culture by providing education and unique experiences.

We are excited to also expand our reach to other “non-traditional” art forms.  Utah is home to so many different cultures and communities that all need access to arts programs and resources.  Our new programs and initiatives will be designed to create opportunities and resources for artists that have traditionally found access difficult.  You will also see expanded programming at our facility, including more classes, courses and community programming.  You will also see us providing more resources and programs designed for local artists, musicians and cultural organizations to create and produce their own works.

J ames “Pyro” Karren and Joshua “Text” Perkins began throwing events in 2008.  From 2006-2008 the bboy scene in Utah had seen a sharp decline.  Many of the older dancers were perusing other life goals and there was a lack of young talent to take their place.  The Bboy Federation initially started as a series of events called the X-Series.  Pyro and Text used this event to set up exhibitions for both younger and seasoned dancers.  This was done with the hope of putting a little more energy into the scene.  It worked and it worked well.  By 2009 Pyro & Text decided that the scene was ready for a little more.  They had been approached to do a league style competition by an out of state organization.  The deal for that league ultimately fell through, but the idea had already been put it motion.  The two decided to trim the fat from the league and restructure it so that it benefited the scene.  They wanted to create something that provided good events for dances and something that is cost effective for a young scene.  2009 marked the first year of the league and brought with it the name The Bboy Federation.  In 2012, The Bboy Federation was awarded 510c3 non-profit status and began to expand it’s programs.  This included the creation of after school programs (2013), a stage production called They Reminisce (2014) and a full time facility called The HERC (2016). We became 1520 Arts in ( 2019 ).  Now in its 16th year, 1520 Arts is expanding its reach to connect with other cultural communities!