Clinton Painter // Republican // Utah House District 58
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How have the arts, culture, and/or humanities impacted your life?
- Growing up in small town, one would think the exposure to the arts would be limited. You would be correct, but I have always done my best to be involved in the arts and humanities. My early days were spent in community plays and playing the piano. Both of these instilled in me a discipline of practice and determination. I never excelled but I was never disappointed in the amount of effort it took me to get on a stage and perform in a play or musical. Currently, I find the arts to be an enrichment in my life. I have a true appreciation for someone who is willing to take center stage, whether it be singing, performing in a play or giving a monologue as they prepare for a competition. I have not made the arts my life, but the arts have made my life better.
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Utah's humanities and arts employ 123,000 Utahns, provide $4.4 billion in earnings, and $13.2 billion in sales. This is a larger economic impact than agriculture, mining, and real estate. Do you consider the arts and cultural sector an economic driver in Utah?
- Yes
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Fiscally responsible government investment in the arts and humanities (including humanities and arts education) means to me:
- I believe that responsible government investment in the arts and humanities, is vital to communities. They provide another outlet for our youth to become involved in what might become their career. We should not do things that could stifle the growth or passion of people. The arts and humanities are an avenue for people to be able to express themselves creatively and uniquely.
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I support the following legislative items:
- Grants to be used for operations (jobs) as soon as possible
- Keeping emergency loans open to nonprofits
- Protecting the RAP taxes so that money granted to cultural organizations doesn't get repurposed
- Increasing availability of loans to cultural businesses (non-profit and for-profit)
- Fiscally responsible government investment in arts and humanities organizations.
- Development of cultural districts
- Facilitating partnerships between tourism and culture.
- Capital investment (in museums, performance/concert halls, studios, galleries, nonprofit office space, etc.).
- Percent for public art programs, which optionally designate 1% of government capital costs for public art
- Allowing municipalities to set design standards
- K-6 Students should have increased exposure to arts and humanities education
- 7-12 Students should have increased exposure to arts and humanities education
- I support the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program which puts one arts specialist in most elementary schools
- I support the iSEE (Informal Science Educational Enhancement) which sends 10 professional science, zoological, and natural history organizations to all UT school districts
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Anything else we should know about you?
- I am a fan of the arts programs. I feel all people should have exposure to and the opportunity to participate in cultural growth experiences. As an uncle of 7 incredible nieces and nephews, each year for their birthdays I give them experiences not presents. Some of our outings have included the Planetarium, the Aquarium and museums. This year i am a little saddened that my outing with my now 8-year-old niece has had to be postponed as we had intended to attend her first play. But we will get there yet! Thank you for your consideration.
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