Art Works for Kids Foundation
Founded in 1995 by Beverley Taylor Sorenson, Art Works for Kids is dedicated to advancing comprehensive arts education for children throughout Utah. The organization provides support to educators, school districts, universities, and arts organizations in the development and delivery of innovative, sequential fine arts instruction. In addition, Art Works for Kids invests in research to deepen understanding of the impact of arts education and to further its reach across the state.
Foundation Leadership
Beverley Taylor Sorenson (1924-2013)
Founder
Throughout her life, Beverley Taylor Sorenson was a tireless champion for the arts. She began developing an integrated arts teaching model in 1995 by collaborating with arts education professionals, state organizations, and higher education institutions throughout Utah. In 2008, the Utah State Legislature adopted the model, named it the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program in Beverley’s honor, and has since provided the funding needed to place the program in a portion of elementary schools across the state. Right up until her passing at the age of 89, Beverley was a fixture at Capitol Hill, and she committed her time and efforts to lobbying the legislature for more funding to ensure that every elementary child in Utah receives the benefits of an arts-rich education through this program.
James Lee Sorenson
A world-renowned entrepreneur, leader and innovator, James Lee Sorenson has built successful companies in industries ranging from technology and life sciences to real estate and investment. Jim enjoys combining innovative ideas with talented management teams to produce new enterprises. Jim has helped establish impactful programs that improve lives, build regional communities and train future leaders. Jim also works with charitable enterprises that lift and empower people to become self-sufficient.
Jim has served on community service boards including Mission Markets, University Venture Fund, Art Works for Kids, Gallaudet University, the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business, and the Utah Governor's Office of Economic Development.
Joan Fenton
Joan Sorenson Fenton is a philanthropist and humanitarian who serves as President and Chairperson the Sorenson Legacy Foundation. She has spent over 10 years as a director of the Foundation, which provides support for childhood education enhancement in schools, arts education training programs, STEM education initiatives in public schools and universities, funding for disadvantaged or abused children and women, funding for major artistic non profit institutions such as the Utah Symphony and Opera and the Utah Shakespeare Festival, and more. Joan is passionate about nurturing children—a vision she inherited from her mother, the late Foundation co-founder Beverley Taylor Sorenson.
Joe Sorenson
Joseph Taylor Sorenson is the founder and CEO of Endeavor Capital Group. He has served as a board member of the Sorenson Legacy Foundation for more than 15 years, where he has helped support a wide range of philanthropic and humanitarian endeavors at the local, national and international level.
Joe has played a vital leadership role in other companies, including serving as president of the healthcare research company Sorex Medical and leading the development of cosmetic and nutritional products for Sorenco Laboratories.
Lisa Cluff
Lisa Cluff has been with Art Works for Kids, a 501(c)(3) organization, since its inception in 1995, and has served as the executive director since 2008. In this role, Lisa collaborates closely with educational institutions and arts organizations across Utah to promote arts education. She also manages the grant process to support the ongoing professional development and growth of both classroom and arts teachers.
Lisa is passionate about the arts and education and has witnessed firsthand the positive impact the arts have had on elementary students across Utah. Lisa continues to carry forward Beverley's vision of ensuring that every child in Utah receives a rich, arts-based, and well-rounded education. She is a respected leader in arts education in Utah.