Six elementary schools in Uintah and Duchesne counties are benefiting from a special state program that pays for art instruction with the expectation of students developing art skills and earning better overall test scores as a result.

But the impetus behind that program, Salt Lake City philanthropist Beverley Sorenson, visited the Basin last week to warn of efforts by state lawmakers to cut the program from the 2010-11 budget.

Sorenson was in Vernal on Thursday and Duchesne County on Friday to meet with the public and teachers to explain the benefits of teaching arts in the schools, and how the arts effectively increases student performance in every subject from language arts and social studies to math and science.

“Right now, in your school, you have the (Beverley Taylor Sorenson) program which means you have a qualified arts specialist partnering with teachers to create innovative projects and programs that enhance and reinforce learning across your student's curriculum,” Sorenson said. “Simply put, you have a unique program that enriches the education of your child.”

Schools are currently in the second year of the four-year state program initiated by Sorenson that pays for art instruction in Maeser, Davis, Ashley and Eagle View elementary schools in Uintah County and Altamont and East elementary schools in Duchesne County. At the schools, an art form is taught to every student at least once a week. Overall, the grant program is assisting 53 schools statewide.

Last year, principals chose which art form to work with when the program was set up and they were instructed on how the arts develops the brain, increasing academic awareness. It is shown that art increases the perception of how a person sees the world. Dance and drama increase emotional learning abilities.

With the money from the state, specialists were hired to teach art at 53 schools. Sorenson said those schools stand to lose those art teachers because state lawmakers are looking to cut the program as one of many ways of dealing with a planned budget shortfall. She is traveling across the state to increase awareness of the program and to encourage people to lobby legislators to keep the funding intact.

“We are now trying to make sure that they don't take any more money from us so that we can finish this program,” Sorenson said. “It's very powerful, what these children are learning. I'm very impressed with the schools (in the Basin) and what they are offering.”

“If the funds are cut, we lose those teachers and the entire program,” said Lynna Kendell, district arts coordinator for Uintah schools.

East Elementary Principal Kevin Heaton said without the money, his school stands to lose its art specialist, Elizabeth Sampson.

“That money comes from the Legislature and only funds that one position,” he said. “That money is about to go away unless they decide it's worthy.”

The four-year program also provides tracking data as it is concerned with students receiving an increased art education and how that effects or improves academic grades. The next tracking sequence will involve behavior improvements which is tracked by principal referral numbers. Reports are turned into the University of Utah monthly where the information is compiled.

Kendell notes that there is a structured core curriculum for each grade level and art form. While not trying to take away the creativity of the teacher, there is basic core curriculum developed for each grade level and art form.

“It is helping,” she said. “We have schools that have shown that students have increased their scores in specific areas that are tied to the core and we have kids that are excited about being at school.”

She explained that teachers have said they feel there is a better learning atmosphere with greater expression of the arts.

“It's kind of like the difference of living in a black and white world versus a world full of color,” Kendell said. “You have the basic features, but color or art makes your soul feel better. It enlivens the spirit. People want to learn. There is a reason to be there.”

Sorenson said in the past, she has funded similar programs on her own or through her foundation, but the effort has grown to the point where the foundation can't cover all of the costs and needs the state's help.

Additional information can be found through www.artworksforkids.org, the Web site for Sorenson's nonprofit group Friends of Art Works for Kids.