Fortunately, the program has a supporter in Governor Gary Herbert who included ongoing funding for the program in his annual budget proposal. KSL strongly encourages lawmakers to follow through with the governor's recommendation. The long-term benefits of Utah's Arts Learning Program are undeniable.

Several powerful Utahns huddled around a table of first-graders at Monroe Elementary School in West Valley City on a recent school day. The visit was part of a effort to save the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program, originally slated to run for four years. "It's an enhancement of the curriculum the students are learning in their classrooms," Katie Cook-Zamora, arts specialist at Monroe said. "It's not taking time away from that. It's giving them another way to look at it."

This year, the fifth-graders' science classes have been supplemented by dance. Next up, sixth-graders will have their World War II unit enhanced by dance. Each grade will have a similar opportunity to learn the three R's through shaking their booties this year.

Kids at Muir Elementary in Bountiful are learning how to protect themselves against H1N1 and other bugs by getting on the dance floor. "I integrate what they study in class so we reinforce what they're learning, and then they perform it," dance specialist Tina Misaka says.

Wasatch Elementary School is one of over 50 elementary schools statewide that could lose their art program, even as sixth-graders staged an impressive performance to honor veterans. “We hope we can continue our arts program. It anchors the curriculum and brings it alive in ways the kids never forget,” said Wasatch Elementary Principal Julie Miller.

Monroe Elementary School is fighting to keep their arts program from becoming a thing of the past by staging an opera to show how important it is. “It’s a creative outlet for them. They all need to exercise the brain,” said Katie Cook-Zamora one of the visual arts specialist who may lose their job if the program gets cut.

Without some intervention the future of fine arts education in Utah elementary schools could be in trouble. “This program is such a good thing. It keeps arts going in the schools. And some kids learn better the art way. The legislature needs to understand how important this is,” said Jed Francis, art specialist at Alpine elementary School.

Six elementary schools in Uintah and Duchesne counties are benefiting from a special state program that pays for art instruction with the expectation students earn better overall test scores as a result, but state lawmakers may cut the program from the 2010-11 budget. “If the funds are cut, we lose those teachers and the entire program,” said Kynna Kendell, district arts coordinator for Uintah schools.

Noted philanthropist and arts supporter Beverley Taylor Sorenson visited Red Rock Elementary School in Moab, seeking support for state funding for a popular arts education program that is being funded by the state legislature. Principal Sherrie Buckingham invited parents to observe a classroom art lesson, “You will see these students produce fantastic pieces of art.”

Three local elementary schools host an Arts Awareness Education evening raise awareness of the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program and to emphasize what can be done to keep the program running. North Elementary Principal Brent Bonner said he understands that budget cuts need to be made, but he thinks this program is too important to be cut. “I’ve seen this completely change kids’ lives and I don’t want to see it get lost in the shuffle,” he said.

For the past two years Iron Springs Elementary, North Elementary and Escalante Valley Elementary have been participating in the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program, now threatened by state budget cuts. At Arts Night, North Elementary Principal Brent Bonner shared the story of a troubled student who discovered himself through art, “I’m not sure he would have gotten what he needed without (this program).”

Friends of Art Works for Kids was in St. George on Tuesday reaching out to teachers and parents for support of a program that promotes fine arts education for every elementary school child. Sunset Elementary Music Specialist Curtis Payne said, “This program gives children the opportunity … to use both sides of their brain. Music is just something that builds the soul.”

Beverley Taylor Sorenson is traveling the state to gather support for incorporating arts in the core curriculum of elementary schools and will be in Washington County this week. “Our school district has greatly benefited from Sorenson’s vision, and we want to do everything we can to ensure this program continues,” said Washington County School District Fine Arts Coordinator Ferron Holt.

Parents praised the fine arts program in their children’s schools. “As testing pressures rise … schools are making the terrible mistake of narrowing the curriculum and teaching less and less of the arts. Their scores continue to go down,” said Salt Lake District Superintendent McKell Withers.

Beverley Taylor Sorenson is 85, but has not slowed down in her 15-year campaign to bring arts education to every elementary school in Utah. “Knowledge is accessed quicker and retained better” when the arts are combined with academics, said Carol Goodson, fine arts specialist with the State Office of Education.

More than 30,000 students have benefited from the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program, which brings art, music, drama and dance specialists to Utah elementary schools. “Art builds confidence, teaches discipline and stirs the imagination,” said Sorenson.