Beverley Taylor Sorenson is a tireless champion of both the arts and education. In addition to raising eight children of her own, Mrs. Sorenson has improved the lives of tens of thousands of Utah elementary students through her passionate commitment and generous contributions to arts education.

After graduating from the University of Utah in 1945, she taught kindergarten at a Quaker school in Brooklyn, New York. While there, she met James LeVoy Sorenson, whom she would marry and who would later become a renowned biotechnology pioneer.

Mrs. Sorenson holds honorary doctorate degrees from Southern Utah University and Salt Lake Community College. She and her husband, who passed away in January 2008, have been steadfast supporters of the arts and education through the family’s foundation and other philanthropic efforts.

For many years, Mrs. Sorenson has been concerned about the lack of arts education in Utah schools—particularly elementary schools. A catalyzing event occurred in 1995 during a stop she made at Lincoln Elementary School in Salt Lake City. During the visit, she saw the dramatic effect a high-quality visual arts program was having on children in one of the city’s most troubled schools. She saw first-hand the bridges art created between students of different cultures, religions and economic backgrounds.

This and similar experiences motivated Mrs. Sorenson to dedicate herself and her resources to launching Art Works for Kids, an innovative arts education teaching model. Thirteen years later, the non-profit organization has positively influenced more than 90,000 Utah children.

Mrs. Sorenson lobbied Utah lawmakers for many years to put arts education back into elementary school classrooms, and in 2008 the legislature passed the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Elementary Arts Learning initiative, allocating $16 million for art specialists in classrooms. The money allows 59 Utah elementary schools to implement the Art Works for Kids program.

Today, Mrs. Sorenson continues to work with public and private organizations, parents, educators, and business and community leaders toward realizing her dream of bringing high-quality, sequential arts education to every Utah elementary school student.