Summit County Council readies to approve $1.2 million in RAP tax grant projects

 

Summit County Council prepares to approve $1.2 million RAP tax grant program

As part of the 2022 Recreational Arts and Parks (RAP) Tax Grant Program cycle Summit County Council is preparing to provide approximately 20 organizations with a total of $1.2 million in grant funding. David Jackson/The Park Record

About 20 organizations in Summit County may receive a total of $1.2 million in grant funding as part of the 2022 Recreational Arts and Parks (RAP) Tax Grant Program cycle.

The Summit County Council was on the cusp of authorizing the distribution of funds Wednesday following the recommendation of the county's RAP Cultural Advisory Committee but concerns about consistency caused the final vote to be delayed.

A total of 23 applicants have applied for nearly $2 million this year. With $1.2 million in grants the committee initially recommended funding for 21 organizations but the county council requested a delay in denying two requests based on last year's financial reports cycle. About $8.8 million in arts and entertainment promotion grants will be awarded in 2021.



The county's rule is that organizations filing late financial reports will be subject to a 10 percent penalty in the next grant year and reports filed after December 17 2021 will be automatically disqualified. Committee members told county council they made grants to two applicants for Park City Museum and Yamashiro Music despite reporting delays. Said special circumstances prevented the Park City Museum from submitting information on time and granting the organization funding. Mountain Town Music's report was also late and should have been reduced by 10% in grants.

Given that the Restaurant Tax Advisory Committee rejected two applicants for the same reason and ultimately decided to exclude them this year the county council is divided on whether it should consider approving the two late reporting groups. Elected officials ask RAP committee Reallocate a total of $172,000 of funds allocated to organizations to other applications.

Once it decides how to reallocate the grant the committee will soon bring it to the county council for final approval.

Applications are ranked using three criteria based on artistic and cultural vitality public interest outreach and organizational ability. Organizations can 

receive up to 15 points depending on how their projects are rated in each category from non-competitive to excellent. Use ranking System along with interviews and presentations the committee makes final recommendations to the county council on how to use the grant funds.

Summit County voters approved the RAP tax in 2000 and updated it in 2010 and 2020. This is a 0.10% sales tax on certain items used to support Arts and Recreation Opportunity Funds in Summit County. Eligible participants must work in the field of arts education dance history music Visual Arts Theatre Folk Arts or related pursuits. They must be a registered nonprofit or a city or county cultural council such as the Park City and Summit County Arts Council.

Funding applications for this year ranged from $8,000 to $225,000 but many applicants did not receive the funds they requested to help spread the funds.

The recipients recommended for the most funding include KPCW Radio Station which can receive $110,000 for the production of two arts and culture-focused shows hosting Back Alley Bash and general operating expenses for its shows and possibly the Egyptian Theatre Receive $90,000 in general administrative performance and production costs at the Box Office for operating school outreach and YouTheatre programs. The Kimball Arts Center may receive $95,000 for an artist-in-residence program Park City Kimball Arts Festival school outreach and more.

The Park City Film Commission and Sundance Institute are two other recommendation recipients. These organizations can receive $96,000 and $88,000 respectively to help with operations and maintenance and community planning. Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter initially approved for $88,000 Salary allocated to general administrative education programs and expenses related to the exhibition.

The Grants Committee also recommended $86,000 for the Alf Engen Ski Museum Foundation and $80,000 for the Park City Institute. These organizations plan to use the funds for day-to-day operations creating educational programs that offer presentations and more.

The Park City and Summit County Arts Council may receive $85,000 in RAP 

tax funds for collections and exhibition contract service performances and production general management and wages. Another $85,000 available for Deer Valley Music Festival and Utah Symphony Orchestra Production costs. The Park Silly Sunday Market may also receive approximately $30,000 for performances and productions in featured artist booths.

Committee members commended North Summit Unite the Echo Community and Historical Organisation and the Kamas Valley History Group for making substantial progress towards their goal of bringing arts and parks-related programming into the community.

It is recommended that North Summit Unite receive $30,000 for planning office expenses and contract services. The organization plans to host an event in mid-September to encourage Summit County residents and visitors to learn about and celebrate the North Summit community. The organization hopes Will be an annual gathering.

Echo Community and Historic Organizations and Kamas Valley Historic Group can receive $9,500 and $8,500 respectively to help maintain and improve historic sites host events and fund other general operating expenses.

Ballet West is another organization recommended for funding. It was allocated $30,000 to support various programming and performances as well as management and digital content costs. Unrelated Ballet Next may also receive $10,000 in performance and production guest artist fees as well as some salary.

RAP tax funds can also go to the Park City Chamber Music Society which expects to receive $15,000 for performances and outreach in the county. The Grants Committee also recommends $5,000 to the Summit County Public Art Advisory Committee to maintain piano programs in public spaces Additional $12,000 as a Performance and Latin Arts Festival.

The list of recommendations provided prior to the county council meeting did not say which organizations had applied for funding and had not received any. Committee members said Wednesday that two applications were not recommended for grants due to concerns about a lack of specificity. Funding requests and interviews but they are encouraged to apply again next year.