Tom Jensen // Logan Municipal Council // Grade: A-

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

Answer: The arts, in many forms have been a strong influence in my life since age 9 when I started playing French Horn. Through the years I have played other musical instruments and sung in many choirs, culminating in performing in the Northern Utah Festival Chorus under Dr. Craig Jessop.

I am a professional architect, practicing over 45 years and receiving several notable awards for design. I also have been an active advocate for planning in our communities.

I taught Appreciation of Art at the American University of Madaba in Jordan. This influenced many Arab students in how to analyze art in its many forms.

Today, I am a Director on the Board of the Cache Valley Center for the Arts, a large non-profit which promotes, organizes and produces visual and performing arts in Cache County.

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: Support

Facilitating partnerships between tourism and culture.

Answer: Support

Facilitating partnerships between businesses and culture.

Answer: Strongly support

Reducing regulations of creative businesses.

Answer: Strongly 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: Support

Artistinresident at my city or county.

Answer: Neutral 

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: endorsement and financial support of arts programs that have shown to have a stimulating effect upon the community.

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: Strongly support

I will support putting a RAP tax on the ballot to be decided by voters.

Answer: N/A

I will make sure that the arts and humanities receive at least a 1/3 of RAP revenues.

Answer: N/A

Optional: explain your answers.

Answer: Cache County has had a strong RAP program for many years. The county has a committee that determines the allocation of funds. I have tried to advocate for funding for programs that will serve the overall community and attract visitors to our county.

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: Strongly support

Friendly ordinances that encourage public and private mural creation.

Answer: Strongly support

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: No

I believe percent for art ordinances should apply to:-All government capital projects.

Answer: No

Anything else you'd like us to know about you?

Answer: I have traveled extensively throughout the world and find that those places that have art in public places are most attractive, interesting and memorable.