Kathleen Riebe // Democratic Party // Utah State Senate Seat 8 (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)

I am a school teacher and I see the positive outcomes from art programs in my schools everyday.  The students have a sense of pride in their projects that translates into more self esteem.  My own children have enjoyed art in their school.  My son had the opportunity to do ceramics and painting this year, he said how surprised he was that something he did not know anything about was so much fun.

I loved art as a child Mr. Goudket, my art teacher k-6, gave me a place to shine.  I was not a very good student and being a good artist made me feel special.  My music teacher, I can see his face, also made an hour of the week special.  He believed in me and made me laugh.  Music and art introduced me to cultural differences and new ideas that may not have been introduced in any other setting.