Pamela Berry // Democrat // Salt Lake County Council District 5 (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've been a filmmaker for 20 years and a photographer for 10. I started because I was an actor. Acting was a way for me to heal when I had a career ending injury in sports. Acting was also healing for me at the end of my marriage. I support arts in healing mental illness, stress, and overall rehabilitation whether it's those who break the law or mental capacities we don't fully understand. Cultural activities of any kind bring together communities and foster a positive energy that is healing in ways we may not see. If we continue to make each of our worlds around us more positive by engaging in arts, culture and humanities, it means we are creating a better place for everyone. At the end of the day, isn't that what life is about?