James Ahlstrom // West Bountiful City Council // Grade: B+

How have the arts, culture, and/or humanities impacted your life?

Answer: Our family loves the arts and humanities. Julia and I have traveled to New York multiple times primarily to take in Broadway and off Broadway productions. We regular attend the theater in Salt Lake and at Centerpointe in Centerville. This year we also supported the 500 plates nonprofit fundraiser for local artists. In West Bountiful, I have actively supported our Arts Council. Having these opportunities available makes the quality of life so much better at the local, state, and national level.

Would you like to be considered for endorsement by Utah Cultural Alliance?

Answer: Yes

Utah's humanities and arts employ 112,000 Utahns, provide $4 billion in earnings, and $16 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?

Answer: Yes

Government investment in arts and humanities organizations at fiscally responsible levels.

Answer: Strongly support

Government investment in my local arts council at fiscally responsible levels.

Answer: Strongly support

Cultural Districts (gov't can designate, fund, and create incentives/zoning ordinances to attract creative businesses to a district).

Answer: Strongly support

Low rent housing and studio space for artists.

Answer: Strongly support

Facilitating partnerships between tourism and culture.

Answer: Strongly support

Facilitating partnerships between businesses and culture.

Answer: Strongly support

Reducing regulations of creative businesses.

Answer: Strongly support

Capital investment (in museums, performance/concert halls, studios, galleries, nonprofit office space, etc.).

Answer: Strongly support

Increased investment in public art projects to encourage murals, sculptures, utility wraps, and more.

Answer: Strongly supportĀ 

Reduced fees (land/building use, garbage, utilities, etc) for festivals and special events.

Answer: Strongly support

Artistinresident at my city or county.

Answer: Strongly support

Fiscally responsible government investment in the arts and humanities means to me (could be the right $ amount for the local arts council and/or its grants, etc.).

Answer: Making sure that a balanced budget includes funds designated for all aspects of our society, including the arts

7 counties and 33 cities have passed a RAP (recreation, arts, parks) tax. They are:

Counties: Cache (RAPZ); Duchesne (RAP); Salt Lake (ZAP); Summit (RAP); Uintah (RAP); Washington (RAP); Weber (RAMP)

Cities (all are RAPs unless otherwise designated): American Fork, Aurora, Blanding, Bountiful, Brian Head, Cedar City, Cedar Hills, Centerfield, Centerville, Clearfield, Fairview, Farmington, Green River, Gunnison, Helper, Layton, Lindon, Mayfield, Monticello, North Salt Lake, Orem (CARE), Payson, Price, Provo, Redmond, Richfield, Roosevelt, Salina, Syracuse, Spanish Fork, Tooele City (PAR), West Bountiful, Woods Cross.

I am: Running for office in one of these cities or counties.

I support the RAP tax.

Answer: Strongly supportĀ 

I make sure that the arts and humanities receive at least a 1/3 of RAP revenues.

Answer: Neutral

I will support putting a RAP tax on the ballot to be decided by voters.

Answer: N/A

I will make sure that the arts and humanities receive at least a 1/3 of RAP revenues.

Answer: N/A

Optional: explain your answers.

Answer: N/A

Percent for public art programs, which optionally designate 1-2% of government capital costs for public art.

Answer: Support

I support increasing my percent for art ordinance by .25-.5% to cover maintenance (vandalism, weather, etc.).

Answer: Neutral

(if applicable) My municipality's redevelopment authority should have a public art ordinance.

Answer: Neutral

Incentives (such as tax breaks) to encourage private developers add public art to projects.

Answer: Strongly support

Design standards.

Answer: Support

Friendly ordinances that encourage public and private mural creation.

Answer: Strongly support

Increased investment in public art projects to encourage murals, sculptures, utility wraps, and more.

Answer: Strongly support

I believe percent for art ordinances should apply to:-Public buildings.

Answer: Yes

I believe percent for art ordinances should apply to:-Transportation.

Answer: No

I believe percent for art ordinances should apply to:-Utilities.

Answer: No

I believe percent for art ordinances should apply to:-Private developments.

Answer: No

I believe percent for art ordinances should apply to:-All government capital projects.

Answer: No

Anything else you'd like us to know about you?

Answer: I am a strong support of arts and humanities at the local and state levels and regularly enjoy particularly theater productions.