Thomas Cavanaugh // Layton City Council // Grade: A-

How have the arts, culture, and/or humanities impacted your life?

Answer: Growing up I was involved in theater, and music. My children likewise have grown up participating in theater, choir etc. My wife was a piano teacher for many years. The arts has always been an important part of our home. I believe participating in the arts improves development in children. Intellectual, physical everything. It is tragic to see it offered less frequently in public schools. One of my favorite school field trips as a child was to go see The Nutcracker by the Boston philharmonic orchestra.

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: Support

Low rent housing and studio space for artists.

Answer: Support

Facilitating partnerships between tourism and culture.

Answer: Strongly support

Facilitating partnerships between businesses and culture.

Answer: Strongly support

Reducing regulations of creative businesses.

Answer: Neutrual 

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: Strongly 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: The amount of money necessary to support existing arts council and encourage local businesses to share the costs.

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: Strongly 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: 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: The arts is beneficial to all members of the community regardless of age, race or gender. It also augments education in the community. I see it as an investment in the future of the community.

Percent for public art programs, which optionally designate 1-2% of government capital costs for public art.

Answer: Neutral

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: Strongly support

Incentives (such as tax breaks) to encourage private developers add public art to projects.

Answer: Strongly support

Design standards.

Answer: Support

Friendly ordinances that encourage public and private mural creation.

Answer: Support

Increased investment in public art projects to encourage murals, sculptures, utility wraps, and more.

Answer: Strongly 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: No

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: N/A