Nathan Laursen // Nibley City Council // Grade: B-
How have the arts, culture, and/or humanities impacted your life?
Answer: The arts, culture and humanities have been part of my life since I was a little child scribbling. Art helps me feel connected to people and enhances my connection to the spiritual. The arts and culture help us understand the world around us in an emotional and spiritual way that few other things can. Drawing pictures, creating music, writing poetry and creating art has helped me throughout all stages of my life to make friends, relieve stress, and feel part of something greater than myself.
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: 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: 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 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: A dedicated percentage of the budget each year consistently
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: Support
I make sure that the arts and humanities receive at least a 1/3 of RAP revenues.
Answer: Support
I will support putting a RAP tax on the ballot to be decided by voters.
Answer: Support
I will make sure that the arts and humanities receive at least a 1/3 of RAP revenues.
Answer: Support
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: Support
(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: 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: Yes
I believe percent for art ordinances should apply to:-Utilities.
Answer: Yes
I believe percent for art ordinances should apply to:-Private developments.
Answer: Yes
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: The progression and investment of the arts and culture in a community are a big part of my everyday life. I have seen the impact that investing and encouraging these type of products has on a city economically, socially, and culturally. For the last 6 years I have advised students and created a local low-power radio station at Utah State University that features local artists as DJs, plays music for local artists at least once every three songs and hosts music, film, and art festivals twice a year (Logan City Limits, etc.). My favorite cities and locations to visit are places with culture that celebrate the arts and expression (Dinkytown Minneapolis, Portland, Austin, Seattle). I find myself visiting cities and areas like this every year because of the experience and connection they give me to the world around me.
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