Recreation Arts and Parks (RAP) funds: A penny makes a big … – Ironcountytoday

The Recreation Arts and Parks (RAP) funds are allocated to community groups to improve Cedar City during summer hearings and council meetings. Overall, there is amazing work being done to present and share the arts in our community and to improve the recreation and parks facilities. Everyone is concerned about having enough funds to accomplish goals and most are also working on other grants and sponsors.

A penny makes a big difference in making Cedar City a better place to live. One penny in each $10 of sales tax funds RAP. It is not an additional tax, but an allocation of the city sales tax and will be on the ballot for reauthorization in November.

Parks and Recreation: Funds this year will go towards totally replacing the skateboard park ($160,377), bleachers that are safer at the Diamond Z Arena ($33,000), Fiddlers Canyon Park improvements ($487,967), Golf Course maintenance on shop roof ($7,000), Golf Course P.A. system replacement ($14,000), and two field groomers ($57,000).

Quilt Guild: Five-day Feb. quilt retreat at the Heritage Center, community exhibits, classes for Girl Scouts, walker bags for seniors, and they give quilts for community fundraisers. Recommended $7500.

Cedar City Arts Council: Final Friday Art Walks from June through September, mini grant applications giving $1000 of art supplies to children through summer lunch program, socials, literary group, and arts promotion. Recommended $8000.

Cedar City Children’s Music Theatre: 49 performances, 950 students and 10,000 audience last season. Mini-musicals and other shows are produced during the year. Recommended $19,500.

Cedar City Community Band: They are working on community programs and recreating the Win Seegmiller Big Band. Recommended $2500.

Cedar City Band for railroad centennial included OSU musicians

 

Cedar City Music Arts: This season will be the Utah Symphony, jazz, dance, vocal and bluegrass in the Heritage Theatre. Recommended $17,800.

Cedar City Junior Ballet: Three new teachers and they are adding mini-ballets and modern dance. Two of their students are now in the Ballet West Preparatory program in Salt Lake. Recommended $17,500.

Cedar Livestock Festival: Third weekend of October for festival and also sponsoring the Lincoln Day Banquet. Helped fund the Raindrop statue near SUMA and have helped with improvements to Diamond Z. Recommended $17,000.

Cedar Valley Community Theatre: Planning for “Big Fish” in the fall. Continuing to have a live orchestra for productions. Have enjoyed an increase in young people getting involved. Recommended $17,500.

Heritage Center: Request from the “RAP Preservation Fund” for an updated sound board. Working on a five-year renovation plan. It will soon be the building’s 25th anniversary. Recommended $35,000.

ICAMA: Live music concerts since 2016. They also encourage visiting musicians to offer music workshops. Recommended $10,500.

In Jubilo: Requested money for music, choral binders, and Heritage Theatre rent. The women’s choir also does concerts at St. George Tabernacle and will sing at Bryce Canyon Centennial. Recommended $4000.

Jazz Alliance: Second Tuesday of each month performances at Off the Cuff. Guest artists each month and play for community events as well. Recommended $2000.

Johnson Art Center (JAC): They have built an outdoor stage and are offering classes and events for children through adults. People rent the space and JAC sponsors several free community events. Recommended $12,500.

Master Singers: Four concerts for the men’s choir per year plus many community service performances. Recommended $3000.

Orchestra of Southern Utah: Family Children’s Jubilee in October plus six evening performances. Messiah will still happen Dec. 10 and 11. School assemblies and other community outreach provided. Recommendation $18,900.

Orchestra of Southern Utah performs Braveship

 

Simonfest: RAP makes it possible to use the Heritage Center, but they lose money on Cedar City productions. Recommended $21,000.

Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA): Museum now has four full-time employees and extended summer hours to accommodate the Utah Shakespeare Festival patrons. Growth in local audiences to 78% from Iron County. Several community events including family art events. Affiliated with SUU. Recommended $45,500.

Suzuki Strings Cedar City: 40th anniversary this year and special guest artists coming for the November regional workshop. Continuing with group classes, ensembles and orchestra. Two of the students performed in Carnegie Hall this year as part of a national high school program. Sarah Sun became Miss Utah and was previously in the program. Recommended $3,750.

Utah Shakespeare Festival: 62^nd year. Working to get more local people to attend. Sales at $2.2 million as of June 21. Need over $4 million for season, but on track. Other regional theatres are in trouble, but USF is looking good. Affiliated with SUU. Recommended $118,000.

IMPAC: New conservatory to train students in theatre skills of acting, singing, and dancing. Working on a fundraising campaign. Recommended $2000.

Crossroads Percussion Festival: Workshops for a week of intense training, plus community performances. They also had family days with an instrument petting zoo at the JAC. Affiliated with SUU. Recommended $2000.

Overall, these organizations improve the community and help generate tourism dollars to subsidize local residents. The RAP funds also provide leverage to the organizations for obtaining state and national grants.