Beverley Taylor Sorenson dedicated her life to two things: children and the arts, according to a Southern Utah University exhibition description. A champion of arts education in Utah through philanthropy and advocacy, Sorenson left a legacy that continues to shape cultural and educational landscapes. Before her death in 2013, she was encouraged by her children to support a major project at Southern Utah University that aligned with her artistic vision.
Her generous gift critically enabled the creation of a new center that connected a legacy theater arts organization, the Utah Shakespeare Festival, and a flagship visual arts institution, the Southern Utah Museum of Art, under a single banner and shared mission. This institution, known as The Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts, proudly incorporates visual arts, live theater, and dynamic arts education to enrich the cultural life of Southern Utah University, Cedar City, and beyond. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the center and honor her legacy, an exhibition titled "Artistic Visions: A Timeline of The Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts" was scheduled to run from June 5 through September 26, 2026, according to a Southern Utah University document dated June 5, 2026.
Beyond her impact on higher education and regional arts centers, Sorenson's influence extends into the state's elementary school system. She established Art Works for Kids alongside her integrated arts teaching program, BTS
Arts, which emphasizes collaborative teaching and planning between classroom teachers and arts educators. As of a July 8, 2020, document from Weber State University, Art Works for Kids serves to honor Sorenson's foundational legacy and to support BTS
Arts as a high-quality arts integration program. This foundation has provided millions of dollars to schools, districts, arts organizations, and universities to support professional development opportunities for educators.
In the 2018-2019 school year, the Weber State University Arts Learning Collaborative and the Sorenson Legacy Foundation reported significant engagement within their service areas. According to a July 6, 2021, Weber State University report, the 13 BTSALP specialists and 3 Davis School District BTSALP instructional coaches served approximately 81 elementary schools during the 2018-2019 school year. This included Taylor Canyon Elementary School, where Stephanie Jaden served as an art specialist for visual arts during that period.
Through the Friends of BTS
Arts, an advocacy organization, the goal remains to bring innovative integrated arts instruction to all elementary students across the state. This advocacy ensures that Utah's school children receive the benefits of high-quality instruction. The program's reach is managed through various roles, including program directors, specialists, and regional supervisors, who work to ensure quality across program elements as of a July 8, 2020, document regarding program roles and responsibilities.
What this means for Taylor
For residents, Sorenson's legacy provides structured support for arts education through the BTS
Arts program and regional arts centers. Her philanthropic work ensures that both higher education institutions and elementary schools have the resources and professional development necessary to integrate the arts into the learning experience for children and students throughout the state.
