On Tuesday, March 18, 2008, a memo of notification signed by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Patti Harrington and Utah Arts Council Director Margaret Hunt, outlining the structure of the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Enhanced Learning Grants Program Request for Proposals process, was mailed to all District Superintendents, Charter School Directors, Regional Service Center Directors, and District Arts Coordinators.

The body of memo is below:

"During the 2008 Legislative session, $15.82 million was appropriated over four years for the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Enhanced Learning Arts Grants Program. These funds will be available to districts and charter schools through a competitive grants process to fund arts programs in elementary schools. The grant process will be administered through a partnership with the Utah Arts Council and the Utah State Office of Education collaborating with art works for kids! and the Utah Parent Teacher Association.

The legislature’s funding will initially enable approximately 50 elementary schools in the state of Utah to hire well-qualified arts specialists to teach alongside certified classroom teachers for the next four years. Schools will also be able to apply for one-time funds for arts instructional materials, equipment, supplies and other necessary fund such as travel and reimbursement for workshops. In addition, matching funds will be made available to selected school districts who currently do not have the benefit of full-time districts arts coordinators to enable them to hire for this position."

A .pdf of the signed memo is available here. (coming soon)