Marci Houseman // Sandy City Council At large // Grade: B
How have the arts, culture, and/or humanities impacted your life?
Answer: I have almost 40 years of experience in the arts and I wish to speak to the impact music has had on me personally as well as the opportunities I have had to use music to impact the lives of others.
As a student in middle school and high school, music gave me a sense of belonging as I collaborated with my fellow musicians to provide high quality performances. In addition to developing my musicianship in high school, I developed leadership skills as I served as the Drum Major of our marching band. These high school experiences inspired me to continue to pursue my love of music at Brigham Young University where I performed with the marching band and once again served as the Drum Major.
Following graduation, I embarked upon my career in education. I have 16 years of experience teaching music: 11 years teaching music at the elementary level and 5 years teaching music at the secondary level. My instruction has included instrumental music, vocal music and dance. I have directed countless musicals at both the elementary and secondary levels.
A highlight of my teaching career was at the secondary level where I started an African drumming group for at-risk students. This program provided students who could not normally afford to experience the performing arts an opportunity to express themselves in a unique way. In order to participate, students had to demonstrate the D.R.U.M. code: Discipline, Respect and Unity through Music. Students who had previously been known as "bad boys" took on an entirely new identity which allowed them to be more successful in school. Students even united around a humanitarian cause to raise money to fund a well project in rural Ghana.
I will forever be grateful for the opportunity I had to literally change lives through the power of music. Students who were once on a concerning life trajectory, transformed their perspectives as well as their behavior. Parents and fellow teachers continually expressed the positive impact this program had on students. Former students stay in touch and express their gratitude for what they learned in my drumming class--which was far more than music.
When I left the classroom to become a Principal, my core belief that the arts have the ability to transform lives was expressed in two key ways: starting another drumming program for at-risk students and transforming a computer lab into a STEAM lab where students explored Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math. Adding the A to STEM was incredibly important to me and I was grateful for the opportunity to engage teachers throughout the building in the process of integrating our curriculum in this way.
In my current role as an education consultant, I no longer directly interact with students so I have turned to community service as my vehicle for continuing to engage with music. I have accompanied vocalists/instrumentalists at church as well as directed our church choir. In addition, I recently started a drumming program at the Sandy Club: A Safe Place for Kids.
My experiences in music are diverse but the one true constant has been the role music has played in uniting people from various backgrounds. One of my core values as a leader is effective collaboration. This value is deeply rooted in the experiences I have had with music and the impact it has had on those with whom I have interacted.
Would you like to be considered for endorsement by Utah Cultural Alliance?
Answer: N/A
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: Neutral
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: Support
Increased investment in public art projects to encourage murals, sculptures, utility wraps, and more.
Answer: Support
Reduced fees (land/building use, garbage, utilities, etc) for festivals and special events.
Answer: Strongly Support
Artistinresident at my city or county.
Answer: 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: Fiscally responsible government invests in the arts in a multifaceted way: funding, partnerships and incentives. A balanced approach ensures that we are leveraging partnerships and incentives in a manner that provides funding outside of the funding that comes from taxpayer dollars.
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: My city or county has not yet passed a RAP tax
I support the RAP tax.
Answer: Neutral
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: Strongly support
I will make sure that the arts and humanities receive at least a 1/3 of RAP revenues.
Answer: Strongly support
Optional: explain your answers.
Answer: As Sandy City does not currently have a RAP tax, I marked neutral for my feelings about the RAP tax in our city. I also marked neutral on the final statement (I make sure that arts and cultural organizations receive necessary investment from RAP funds) because we do not currently have a RAP tax and I am not currently in a decision making position regarding how RAP funds are allocated. I marked strongly support on the second to last statement (I will make sure that the arts and humanities receive at least 1/3 of RAP revenues) because should voters approve a ballot measure and should I be elected to Sandy City Council, it will be extremely important to me that 1/3 of the revenue be committed to the arts and humanities.
Percent for public art programs, which optionally designate 1-2% of government capital costs for public art.
Answer: Strongly 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: Support
Incentives (such as tax breaks) to encourage private developers add public art to projects.
Answer: Support
Design standards.
Answer: Support
Friendly ordinances that encourage public and private mural creation.
Answer: Neutral
Increased investment in public art projects to encourage murals, sculptures, utility wraps, and more.
Answer: Neutral
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: Yes
Anything else you'd like us to know about you?
Answer: N/A
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