Derek Kitchen // Democrat // Utah State Senate District 2 (A+)

1. Should government invest in funding the arts and humanities at fiscally responsible levels?

Answer: Yes

2. Do you support investing money into K-12 arts and humanities education at fiscally responsible levels?

Answer: Yes

3. Do you believe that arts and humanities education should be required in the k-12 curriculum?

Answer: Yes

4. Do you consider the arts and culture sector to be an economic driver in Utah?

Answer: Yes

5. Do you support Utah's Percent-for-Art Act, which designates 1% of public building costs for public art?

Answer: Yes

6. Do you support preserving the Utah Historic Preservation Tax Credit?

Answer: Yes

7. Do you support policy that positively impacts tourism, such as the creation of historic and cultural districts?

Answer: Yes

8. Have you had a personal experience with arts, culture, or humanities that has had an impact on your life? Please explain. (responses to this question were not graded)

Absolutely. I played the violin as a child, and spent time in theater class in school. As an adult, I have had exceptional experiences serving the board of the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art (UMOCA). As a member of the City Council, I've been able to support art through direct funding and cooperation with the Salt Lake City Arts Council. One of my favorite initiatives was the Granary Mural Program, which will bring ~15 large murals to the warehouse district (paying artists $30/sq ft).