Michael Keil // Democrat // Utah State Senate District 17 (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: My mother and father were both musicians. I believe that music, and all art, can change our perspective on life -- sometimes more than facts and data. It appeals to our intuition and humanity. When I was growing up, music, in particular, brought me and my parents together and bridged gaps. There's always some small (or big) life lesson to be learned in the quiet moments enjoying good music or at the ballet or looking at a piece of art a different way.

Explanation: I believe many of the modern social problems we have are problems borne of isolation and loneliness. Art has a way of bringing us together and sharing in a uniquely individual experience, through our interpretation of its beauty. At the same time the collective enjoyment and sense of community we have at a concert or the symphony or at art exhibit is something Utahns need now more than ever. Art causes us to reprioritize our tribal boundaries we set in the name of political, religious or cultural affiliation. Now is the time to invest more in our cultural unification to strengthen our sense of community.