Message From the Dean

Dear Alumni, Students, Faculty, Staff, and Friends,

Three years ago I met with Beverley Sorenson and was privileged to hear and feel her vision of how the arts should influence every child. Beverley has a passion deep in her heart to bring the miracle of the arts to students. During our visit she shared her experience about the day when she was selected as the Maypole Queen. She remembers the joy she felt as she danced under the maypole. My own artistic abilities have not been well developed, even though I love music, visual arts, theatre, and other art forms. But Beverley’s vision touched me that day, both spiritually and intellectually. During our first conversation I immediately felt the importance of her message.

Since that time a wonderful partnership has evolved: a partnership with Beverley and the Sorenson family, with five districts and supportive superintendents, with talented BYU faculty members in both education and the arts, with the community, and with other groups such as Art Works for Kids. With mentoring, inspiration, and financial support from Beverley and her family, we have now officially created the Beverley Taylor Sorenson BYU A.R.T.S. Partnership. A.R.T.S. is an acronym for Arts Reaching and Teaching in Schools. You can read more about it on page 14. I’m thrilled as I watch how this partnership renews and strengthens the arts in our five Partnership school districts.

Under the direction of my wonderful BYU colleagues—Dean Sara Lee Gibb, Dean Stephen M. Jones, CITES director Steven Baugh, and project director Cally Flox, along with committee members Marilyn Berrett, Jerry Jaccard, Karla Huntsman, Mark Graham, and Lynette Erickson and many other gifted faculty—thousands of children and BYU students will receive enhanced arts instruction. Read about many of the experiences of these faculty and students on page 16 in our section Education in a Changing World.

I hope this issue of McKay Today will inspire you, as it has me, to appreciate the arts as a vital part of education. It is only a small glimpse of what our gifted K–12 teachers are doing to bless the lives of our children and youth through the arts. May we all support these teachers, and may we ensure that all children have the opportunity to benefit from the arts. I am truly grateful for the arts in my life and for Beverley Sorenson’s dream.

Sincerely,

K. Richard Young