In the spirit of full disclosure, let me confess that Jacob Lee is my office mate at SUU.  We share a comfortable room with a new piano,  desk and comfy chair, and enough room to accommodate his double bass in the corner.  And he is a great roommate, never intruding on my designated hours or leaving stuff around.  He went to the store on the day after Halloween, bought sale candy, and filled up the bottom drawer of our filing cabinet with chocolate.  He didn’t even mind when I called dibs on all the Snickers bars.  Who could ask for more?

     So you might think that would explain why he was one of the recipients of our Cedar City Arts Council  Artists’ Mini-Grants this spring.  But in all honesty, he was truly deserving.  Jacob is a musician and composer of some success.  He has had work commissioned by the Orchestra of Southern Utah and composed and arranged several pieces that have been performed in Cedar City this season.  So when he asked for a grant to upgrade his composing set-up—new speakers—the committee was in complete agreement to help him. It was a fun moment when I left the notification letter on our desk for him to find.

     Kathleen Wells is another friend, although I didn’t connect the name on the application at first with the person I see and speak with regularly.  When she asked for help to purchase a new digital instrument for her piano studio and The Let’s Play Music program, we were glad to further the influence of a teacher.  We are suckers for requests from educators.

     Which is why we also awarded the before-school choir program at Fiddlers Elementary School funds to purchase music for programs they want to perform for their families and friends. The school PTA is supportive of this program, but PTA resources are always stretched, so we were pleased to give them a little help.

     Two music groups that contribute to the cultural atmosphere of our community will receive funds to further their work.  Harry Taylor’s group is an inter-faith alliance (CAIFA) that has performed a July Fourth patriotic concert in Cedar City since 2005.  They want some new music. Jay Jackson’s group, Canyon Reverb, performs regularly at the Senior Citizens’ Center and around Cedar City.  They would like to upgrade their equipment.  Yes and yes.

     As you can see, the Arts Council is very receptive to artists that contribute their skills to benefit the community.  In fact, it is perhaps the weightiest element in the application form.  Steve Swift, a musician and visual artist, is well known in this town for his talent in two genres.  Michael Colvin asked for help to publish his book about a chartreuse moose; he plans to read to children at the library.   A grant to Stephanie Flores’ AE&D Art Studio will allow three children who might not otherwise be able to participate to attend the studio’s after-school art classes.

     ….makes me feel like Bill Gates.