ARTS, INC. 1

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DATE: January 21, 2014 (update of July 5, 2011) Word count: 366 (6)

This is Chris Redgrave for Zions Bank Speaking on Business.

Mentor programs and mentorship are important in business and they're important in life. The idea of the next generation giving back seems to be deeply rooted in the human psyche, the idea that where much is given much is expected. This couldn't be more true than in the case of Ernie Doose, executive direction of the non-profit A.R.T.S., Inc.

His mentor was Roene DiFiori, who saw tremendous talent in Ernie that previous teachers had not identified. She took Ernie under her wing and helped him see he was just right brained so he had a lot of artistic talent. She taught him how to sing, and as a result of Roene's help, he completed a degree in musical theater. He took his voice around the world singing in plays first at the college level and later Broadway.

Years later Ernie hasn't forgotten Roene's mentorship. And he is now honoring her by naming his new Arts, Inc. center in St. George after her, the Roene B. DiFiori Center for Arts Education. He's in the same space she once was with his program, mentoring a new generation of kids.

The new St. George center is located at 307 N. Main St. in a historic landmark, the former home of Orval and Ruth Hafen. The main point is to support artistic and creative children. They can come here to be tutored in math, science and English with the arts used as tools to help these kids learn. The center has rooms where music, theater and dance are taught as well as a puppet stage and art gallery.

Ernie feels an unbelievable passion and dedication to bringing the arts to kids. He knows firsthand how it can change a person's life. That's why A.R.T.S., Inc is now serving 41 school districts across the state and around 175,000 students each year. The program is set up so Utah schools pay a minimal annual fee, and the rest of the cost is covered by grants, private and state funding.

For Zions Bank, I'm Chris Redgrave, speaking on business.

A.R.T.S., Inc. 324 S. 400 West Salt Lake City, UT 84101 801-328-3883 www.ArtsinEducation.org