State School Board Rule 277-700 History: Rule 277-700 was passed back in August by the 15 member state school board. and in its original version, eliminated credit requirements for arts, health, and PE for middle school students. They did it with zero public hearings on the change. We fought back big time! UEA, UCA, and a few other groups combined forces and called for a special public hearing to which hundreds showed up. We included performances from three children’s groups as part of our presentation. Our petition also had over 3,500 signatures. The School Board sent the rule back to the Standards and Assessment committee at their October board meeting and they emerged with a compromise from their November committee meeting that we support. It was supposed to be voted on at the December full board meeting, but the full board decided to send it back to Standards and Assessment one more time to tweak it a bit more. The standards and assessment committee met Friday December 8th and emerged with version 2, which includes edits that we asked for. Continue reading

Big possible changes to the appropriation process at the Utah State Legislature are brewing. Right now, most line item requests for cultural organizations go through the Business, Economic Development, and Labor Appropriations sub-committee and that committee is seriously thinking about changing how it operates in terms of cultural dollars. As part of that process, the Utah Division of Arts & Museums gave a presentation about their existing granting process. Here are our notes, a pdf of the presentation, and the audio. What do you think? Our notes from the meeting are below. Audio Recording PDF of Utah Arts & Museums's slides Continue reading

Planned for Demolition  Historic Administration Building (c. 1920) and former DMV Testing Facility (1967) designed by Utah modernist architect John Sugden. Administration Building (c.1920) HOW YOU CAN HELP1) Make direct contact with decision makers.Contact the following people using any of the talking points on the next page by phone, email, or U.S. Mail.Roger Beattie, Chair, Utah State Fairpark Board of DirectorsPhone:  (801) 294-7040Email:  roger@rogerbeattie.comU.S. Mail:  RLB Holdings, Inc., 3187 U.S. 89, Bountiful, UT 84010Larry Mullenax, Executive Director for Utah State FairparkPhone:  (801) 538-8400Email:  lmullenax@utahstatefair.comU.S. Mail:  Utah State Fairpark, 155 N 1000 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84116Eric Tholen, Division Director for the Utah State Division of Facilities and Construction Management (DFCM)Phone:  (801) 538-3010Email:  etholen@utah.govU.S. Mail: DFCM, 4110 State Office Building, 450 N. State St., Salt Lake City, UT 84114Your Utah State Representative and SenatorNeed their information? Follow this linkKnow their info:Utah State SenateUtah House of RepresentativesPlease cc Preservation Utah at kirk@preservationutah.org so that we may track progress.2) Request to be an individual consulting party under the Utah State Antiquities Act Section 9-8-404.Send an email to Chris Hansen (clhansen@utah.gov), Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer at the Utah Division of State History, and request to be a consulting party. You will then receive emails requesting comments on pertinent information that is made available to the public and invitations to meetings that fall under the Section 404 review.3) Write a letter to the editor of any newspaper.Here’s how you submit directly to the two statewide newspapers:The Salt Lake Tribune: letters@sltrib.comDeseret News: letters@deseretnews.com4) Share your opinion on personal social media accounts.Help us spread the word quickly by using the hashtags #savehistoricfairpark and #preservationutah.5) Join the Preservation Utah email list.Visit our home page and sign up to keep up to date on the latest with this issue by subscribing to our free e-newsletter.  DMV Testing Facility (1967) BACKGROUND Recently, plans have been announced by the Utah State Fairpark to construct a new structure on the state-owned fairgrounds that will be used as the Department of Agriculture’s offices and exhibit space for the fair. The plan threatens two historic structures on the fairgrounds – the historic Administration Building (c. 1920), and the former DMV Testing Facility (1967) designed by Utah modernist architect John Sugden. The historic Administration Building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and dates to approximately 1920. It has been occupied since its construction by administrative offices for the Utah State Fair. Nearly 100 years of the state fair have been planned and executed from this place, creating memories that span multiple generations. The brick structure exhibits detailing of the Period Revival styles of architecture and are well-maintained. Built in 1967, the State of Utah’s former Driver’s License Testing Facility at the Utah State Fairpark follows Sugden’s design principles of external structural expression and maximum transparency. The structure’s simplicity of rectangular form and materials are its architectural character, with origins in the design principles of Mies van der Rohe, whom Sugden trained under at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. Many people likely have fond memories of obtaining their first driver’s license in this building. Most recently, the building has been used by the state’s technology division. In 2013, a master plan and market and financial feasibility study was completed for the Utah State Fairpark to assist them in visioning the future of the fairgrounds and reducing reliance on state funding for operations and maintenance. One of the proposals in that master plan was to build a new state office building at the Fairpark, but multiple options being proposed as to its location. The option selected by the Utah State Fairpark is the only option that demolishes historic structures. In order to move forward, the Utah State Fairpark needs the State Legislature to prioritize the project and provide the necessary funding during the 2017 legislative session. If demolition is approved, only ten of the original twenty-seven properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 would still be standing. Talking Points- These buildings are significant to the history, evolution, and story of Utah State Fairpark. Demolition tears out pages from that story forever.- The former DMV Testing Facility was designed by one of Utah’s foremost designers of the mid-twentieth century, John Sugden, and clearly demonstrates his philosophies of structural expression and transparency which he acquired from training under Mies van der Rohe. The Administration Building is evocative of the historic design of many other structures at Fairpark and has served as the operational office of the Utah State Fair for nearly 100 years.- To our knowledge, full renovation of the historic buildings has not been explored as to their feasibility and cost. Full renovation could lower the cost of maintenance, make them more efficient to operate, and consider new uses if the current tenants are desiring to relocate.- There are site alternatives to construct a new state office and fair exhibit building that do not require demolition of historic structures that should be favored over those that do.- The legislature should not prioritize funding for the new state office building at Fairpark if the proposal will demolish historic structures.

You may be interested in this petition about art electives in the Canyon School District. To view the full petition:  click here January 17th at 5:00 pm-Meeting with voting is at 7:00 pm. 9361 South 300 East - We need to be at BOTH. Serious decisions regarding the electives and art programs in Canyons School District are being made right now. Middle Schools throughout the district including: Draper Park, Butler and Albion Middle Schools are having electives side-lined. The issue has arisen because the State Board of Education will be adding two required classes to the sixth and eighth grade curriculum: a College & Career Readiness course (sixth grade), and a Digital Literacy course (eighth grade). Naturally this poses challenges to middle school administrators across the state, as they are faced with how to accommodate this requirement and still provide a balanced curriculum for their students. At these middle schools the administrations and school community councils (SCC) have voted to move forward with an adapted six period schedule. 

 Chip Dawson  Candidate for Jordan School District Board, District 5 chipdawsonjsd@gmail.com www.chipdawson.com  801.254.4223 South Jordan  Salt Lake County  Republican                  UCA Candidate Survey   Should government be involved in funding the arts and humanities?    Yes   Please explain your answer (one or two sentences is sufficient):   The arts and humanities can elevate and lift humanity as few things can. While I appreciate the emphasis on STEM in education, I believe that arts and music can be added into the mix to make STEAM.   If your elected office could impact the amount of money spent on public K-12 arts & humanities education, what would you choose to do?   Increase Spending   If your elected office could impact the amount of money spent on after school K-12 arts & humanities education program, what would you choose to do?   Increase Spending    Do you believe that during-the-day arts and humanities education should be a part of K-12 curriculum?   Yes   If your elected office could impact the amount of money spent on cultural programs, what would you choose to do?   Increase Spending     Do you consider the arts and cultural sector an economic driver in Utah?   Unsure   Do you support Utah's Percent-for-Art Act, which designates 1% of public building costs for public art?    Yes Do you support the designation of Robert Smithson's Spiral Jetty as the State Work of Art?    Unsure     If your office could impact legislation, would you support a bill that exempts cultural non-profits from property tax?   No Please explain your answer to (one or two sentences is sufficient):   This proposal is problematic. Working for a city for the past decade, I know how vital property taxes are. Cultural non-profits, as vital as they are, still need water, sewer, public safety and other services. I think a reduced rate might be more appropriate as a starting point. The other concern is that then residents could potentially start bogus 501(c)(3) for the arts in their homes and forgo property taxes.   Would you support a minor increase to bed or tourism taxes to fund more cultural districts in your community?   Yes Please explain your answer (one or two sentences is sufficient):   I think this is more than appropriate, especially in areas where arts and cultural activities are tourism drivers.   Last year the state legislature passed a bill (HB223 Local Historic District Amendments) restricting the creation of historical districts. What are your thoughts about historic preservation? (One or two sentences is sufficient).   Again, working for a city for a decade, I have mixed feelings about these historical districts. Unfortunately, I do not feel that every old house or block deserves protection from progress.     Have you had a personal experience with arts, culture, or humanities that has had an impact on your life? Please explain (one or two sentences is sufficient).

 Brad Daw Candidate for State Representative, District 60 brad@braddaw.com  www.braddaw.com 801-850-3608 Orem Utah County  Republican              UCA Candidate Survey   Should government be involved in funding the arts and humanities?    Yes   Please explain your answer (one or two sentences is sufficient):   Government has a very limited role in funding arts and humanities primarily through funding institutions of education.       If your elected office could impact the amount of money spent on public K-12 arts & humanities education, what would you choose to do?   Keep Spending the Same   If your elected office could impact the amount of money spent on after school K-12 arts & humanities education program, what would you choose to do?   Keep Spending the Same     Do you believe that during-the-day arts and humanities education should be a part of K-12 curriculum?   Yes   If your elected office could impact the amount of money spent on cultural programs, what would you choose to do?   Keep Spending the Same   Do you consider the arts and cultural sector an economic driver in Utah?   Yes   Do you support Utah's Percent-for-Art Act, which designates 1% of public building costs for public art?    No    Do you support the designation of Robert Smithson's Spiral Jetty as the State Work of Art?    No     If your office could impact legislation, would you support a bill that exempts cultural non-profits from property tax?   Unsure         Please explain your answer to (one or two sentences is sufficient):   I have not looked at the overall economic impact of such an exemption, but I would be very cautious about creating that kind of exemption.   Would you support a minor increase to bed or tourism taxes to fund more cultural districts in your community?   No   Please explain your answer (one or two sentences is sufficient):   This type of subsidy is far to often misused.   Last year the state legislature passed a bill (HB223 Local Historic District Amendments) restricting the creation of historical districts. What are your thoughts about historic preservation? (One or two sentences is sufficient).   I'm in favor of historic preservation as long as it does not place undue burdens on property owners and tax payers.   Have you had a personal experience with arts, culture, or humanities that has had an impact on your life? Please explain (one or two sentences is sufficient).   I've been to many productions. My family has season tickets to the Hale center. Art is a big part of our lives.

 Bruce Cutler House District 44 Bruce@electbrucecutler.org Electbrucecutler.org 801-556-4600 Murray Salt Lake Republican            UCA Candidate Survey   Should government be involved in funding the arts and humanities?    Yes   Please explain your answer (one or two sentences is sufficient):   If your elected office could impact the amount of money spent on public K-12 arts & humanities education, what would you choose to do?   Increase Spending   If your elected office could impact the amount of money spent on after school K-12 arts & humanities education program, what would you choose to do?   Keep Spending the Same   Do you believe that during-the-day arts and humanities education should be a part of K-12 curriculum?   Yes   If your elected office could impact the amount of money spent on cultural programs, what would you choose to do?   Increase Spending     Do you consider the arts and cultural sector an economic driver in Utah?   Yes   Do you support Utah's Percent-for-Art Act, which designates 1% of public building costs for public art?    Yes Do you support the designation of Robert Smithson's Spiral Jetty as the State Work of Art?    Yes     If your office could impact legislation, would you support a bill that exempts cultural non-profits from property tax?   Unsure Please explain your answer to (one or two sentences is sufficient):   Would you support a minor increase to bed or tourism taxes to fund more cultural districts in your community?   Unsure Please explain your answer (one or two sentences is sufficient):   Last year the state legislature passed a bill (HB223 Local Historic District Amendments) restricting the creation of historical districts. What are your thoughts about historic preservation? (One or two sentences is sufficient).     Have you had a personal experience with arts, culture, or humanities that has had an impact on your life? Please explain (one or two sentences is sufficient).   Yes. I met my wife through the arts and it has been a significant part of out family life ever since.

 David Clark Candidate for Utah House of Representatives, District 5 2136clark@gmail.com Daveclarkforutahhouse.com 435-213-9665 Providence Cache County  Democratic              UCA Candidate Survey   Should government be involved in funding the arts and humanities?    Yes   Please explain your answer (one or two sentences is sufficient):   Arts and humanities are vital community assets that deserve public support.   If your elected office could impact the amount of money spent on public K-12 arts & humanities education, what would you choose to do?   Increase Spending   If your elected office could impact the amount of money spent on after school K-12 arts & humanities education program, what would you choose to do?   Increase Spending   Do you believe that during-the-day arts and humanities education should be a part of K-12 curriculum?   Yes   If your elected office could impact the amount of money spent on cultural programs, what would you choose to do?   Increase Spending     Do you consider the arts and cultural sector an economic driver in Utah?   Yes   Do you support Utah's Percent-for-Art Act, which designates 1% of public building costs for public art?    Yes Do you support the designation of Robert Smithson's Spiral Jetty as the State Work of Art?    Yes     If your office could impact legislation, would you support a bill that exempts cultural non-profits from property tax?   Yes Please explain your answer to (one or two sentences is sufficient):   Providing public (tax-based) support for non-profit arts organizations and then taxing the same organizations is self defeating.     Would you support a minor increase to bed or tourism taxes to fund more cultural districts in your community?   Yes   Please explain your answer (one or two sentences is sufficient):   This is a use or user tax strategy that is fair in terms of extending a reasonable tax burden to non-residents who enjoy cultural offerings.   Last year the state legislature passed a bill (HB223 Local Historic District Amendments) restricting the creation of historical districts. What are your thoughts about historic preservation? (One or two sentences is sufficient).   Our state is so rich in culture and heritage that it would be a tremendous loss to our sense of community if legacy sites are not protected and preserved.   Have you had a personal experience with arts, culture, or humanities that has had an impact on your life? Please explain (one or two sentences is sufficient).   I experience arts, cultural and humanities every day.  I am an avid reader, I enjoy visual arts and my wife and I support theater performances in Cache and Salt Lake valleys.  Art and humanity are inseparably connected.

Wesley Christiansen Candidate for State School Board District 15 weskath@msn.com Christiansen4scb.com  435-668-4192 Hurricane Washington County Republican              UCA Candidate Survey   Should government be involved in funding the arts and humanities?    Yes   Please explain your answer (one or two sentences is sufficient):       If your elected office could impact the amount of money spent on public K-12 arts & humanities education, what would you choose to do?   Increase Spending    If your elected office could impact the amount of money spent on after school K-12 arts & humanities education program, what would you choose to do?   Increase Spending    Do you believe that during-the-day arts and humanities education should be a part of K-12 curriculum?   Yes   If your elected office could impact the amount of money spent on cultural programs, what would you choose to do?   Increase Spending    Do you consider the arts and cultural sector an economic driver in Utah?   Yes   Do you support Utah's Percent-for-Art Act, which designates 1% of public building costs for public art?    Yes   Do you support the designation of Robert Smithson's Spiral Jetty as the State Work of Art?    Unsure   If your office could impact legislation, would you support a bill that exempts cultural non-profits from property tax?   Yes     Please explain your answer to (one or two sentences is sufficient):   The arts is what gives personality to our communities. The arts are uplifting, enjoyable, spiritual, and peaceful.   Would you support a minor increase to bed or tourism taxes to fund more cultural districts in your community?   Yes     Please explain your answer (one or two sentences is sufficient):     Last year the state legislature passed a bill (HB223 Local Historic District Amendments) restricting the creation of historical districts. What are your thoughts about historic preservation? (One or two sentences is sufficient).   I'm for historical preservation.     Have you had a personal experience with arts, culture, or humanities that has had an impact on your life? Please explain (one or two sentences is sufficient).   Yes, Several.  Listening to a string quartet in Historic Williamsburg. Music and the Spoken Word every Sunday. 

Allen Christensen Candidate for State Senate achristensen@le.utah.gov allenchristensen.com 801-710-0315 North Ogden Weber, Morgan and Summit Counties Republican              UCA Candidate Survey   Should government be involved in funding the arts and humanities?    Yes   Please explain your answer (one or two sentences is sufficient):   Arts add to a person’s education which we provide   If your elected office could impact the amount of money spent on public K-12 arts & humanities education, what would you choose to do?   Keep Spending the Same    If your elected office could impact the amount of money spent on after school K-12 arts & humanities education program, what would you choose to do?   Keep Spending the Same    Do you believe that during-the-day arts and humanities education should be a part of K-12 curriculum?   Yes   If your elected office could impact the amount of money spent on cultural programs, what would you choose to do?   Keep Spending the Same    Do you consider the arts and cultural sector an economic driver in Utah?   Yes   Do you support Utah's Percent-for-Art Act, which designates 1% of public building costs for public art?    Unsure     Do you support the designation of Robert Smithson's Spiral Jetty as the State Work of Art?    No     If your office could impact legislation, would you support a bill that exempts cultural non-profits from property tax?   Unsure   Please explain your answer to (one or two sentences is sufficient):   Cultural Non-profits'  is a title under which some groups can hide and avoid taxes they should be  paying.   For true and legitimate non-profits I could support exemptions.   Would you support a minor increase to bed or tourism taxes to fund more cultural districts in your community?   No   Please explain your answer (one or two sentences is sufficient):   No more tax increases.   Last year the state legislature passed a bill (HB223 Local Historic District Amendments) restricting the creation of historical districts. What are your thoughts about historic preservation? (One or two sentences is sufficient).   Preservation is great until it bites you personally and you cannot remodel your own home due to  new laws.    Historic districts are fine but too easy to abuse.     Have you had a personal experience with arts, culture, or humanities that has had an impact on your life? Please explain (one or two sentences is sufficient).   My wife and I have had season tickets to the Utah Symphony performances for over 30 years. We look forward to each new season.