REXBURG, Idaho — Utah Power’s charitable arm, the PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning, has awarded a total of $7,000 to Idaho arts organizations for programs that will impact youth. The Idaho International Folk Dance Festival was awarded $5,000 for next year’s Youth Culture Days event and the Idaho Falls Arts Council was awarded $2,000 for its Children’s Art Education series.

“It is important for youth to have opportunities to participate in artistic and cultural activities in addition to other types of learning,” said Glen Pond, Utah Power regional community manager. “We are pleased to be able to continue to provide funding year after year to support the arts and education in Idaho communities served by Utah Power.”

The Idaho International Folk Dance Festival is celebrating its 21st anniversary in 2006. The festival will include a Youth Culture Days event for youth from throughout the state. PacifiCorp Foundation funding will help provide transportation for dancers participating in event performances in the Rexburg area.

The Idaho Falls Arts Council is presenting two performances of “Lava and Bones,” the magical time-traveling adventure of two clowns, for children and families as part of the Children’s Art Education series in the Colonial Theater. PacifiCorp Foundation funding will allow schools to purchase discounted tickets for students, allowing more children from rural areas and low-income families to attend the matinee performance. The Arts Council will also donate more than 200 evening performance tickets for low-income families.

The PacifiCorp Foundation awards four cycles of grants annually in the areas of education, health and welfare, community and the arts.

In addition to December arts grants, Utah Power employees recently directed $2,500 in PacifiCorp Foundation funding to Idaho’s Parents as Teachers (PAT) Plus childhood literacy program, through the company’s Spirit of Excellence employee recognition program. PAT Plus is administered through the Madison County School District and is in the third year of a three-year $150,000 funding commitment from the PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning.