Sheldon Kirkham // Democratic // US House of Representatives Congressional District 4 (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: Theatre was my minor course of study in university. In its pursuit I discovered that the progress of human history depends much on the progress of the arts. The forms and content of artistic expression both reflect and inform the zeitgeist. A vibrant interest and investment in the arts is a hallmark of times of progress and prosperity. When the arts wane or exist in stagnation, so does civil society at large.

Other Explanations or Comments:

While I understand the intention I generally object to the use of the phrase 'fiscally responsible'. It is a phrase opened to a great deal of weighted interpretation and, at present, its interpretation is dominated by a political ideology which is anathema to the promotion of arts and culture.