Linda B. Hansen // Republican // Utah State Board of Education District 3 (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)

Answer: 

I took a drawing class when I was young and was encouraged by a great teacher to continue to use my talent.  I have a brother who is a professional artist so my talent fades in comparison to his - but I continue to draw. I also like to spend time pondering visual art; I can easily spend an entire day in an art museum and I love historic architecture.  I enjoy tremendously opera and the ballet and seeing youth dancing, singing and enjoying the creativity and fun of the arts.  Most of my children have musical talent - which we have encouraged. Our lives would be downright boring and much less enjoyable without the arts. 

Explanations or Comments

I love the arts and have fought to keep them in our schools.  For the 4 years that I was the PTA Director for Granite School District - we managed to keep Granite from discontinuing elementary music.  It was a sad day when it left our schools.  Since I have been on the State Board of Education, I have voted consistently to prioritize and increase Beverly Taylor Sorenson Arts funding.  I have encouraged all of my schools to participate in the Beverly Taylor Arts program and worked to try to find ways for my rural schools to do so.  I have supported POPs funding and field trips to performances - I also love the performances that Utah Opera brings to our schools. The lives of children are greatly enriched by the arts.