Advocacy

The arts make Missouri a better place to live, learn, work, visit, and do business. Arts and cultural organizations are economic drivers that support good paying jobs, attract tourists, and grow the state’s tax base. The arts cultivate young imaginations, foster healthy and vibrant communities, and preserve our cultural heritage. A robust creative sector is essential to Missouri’s future, so additional state funding simply makes good sense.

MISSOURI ARTS COUNCIL

Missouri Citizens for the Arts (MCA) requests that the Governor and Legislature invest in the arts by allocating $12 million to the Missouri Arts Council Trust Fund. This would be a $1.9 million increase to fund new and existing programs at the Missouri Arts Council. 

Required by statute (Section 143.183 RSMo), 60% of the Non-Resident Athletes and Entertainers Tax (A&E Tax) should be allocated to the Missouri Arts Council Trust Fund. The A&E tax, which is paid by professional athletes and entertainers when they play or perform in Missouri, has been collected since 1994. But it has never been distributed as intended. Beginning in FY26, this earmarked revenue stream should not be used to cover other state expenses.

The Missouri Arts Council supports hundreds of quality arts programs throughout the state of Missouri. Additional funds are needed to sustain current programming, target underserved districts, and support new initiatives.

A&E TAX CULTURAL PARTNERS

MCA supports the current cultural partners distribution formula, which calls for the each of the partners - Missouri State Library Networking Fund, Missouri Humanities Council Trust Fund, Missouri Public Broadcasting Corporation Special Fund, and the Missouri Historic Preservation Revolving Fund - to receive 10% of the A&E tax, as required by the statute.

ARTS EDUCATION IN MISSOURI SCHOOLS

Missouri Citizens for the Arts and the Missouri Alliance for Arts Education believe that Missouri's PK-12 students deserve access to quality education in the fine arts - music, visual-arts, theatre, media arts, and dance. In addition to its intrinsic value, arts education stimulates compassion and empathy, develops problem-solving and critical thinking skills, and improves academic performance in other disciplines. 

• MCA and the Missouri Alliance for Arts Education support fully funding the school foundation formula and transportation fund.
• MCA and the Missouri Alliance for Arts Education recommend that legislation supporting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) be expanded to include the Arts (STEAM).

MISSOURI FINE ARTS ACADEMY

Missouri Citizens for the Arts is requesting $1 million to support the 2026 Missouri Fine Arts Academy (MFAA), a two-week summer residential program at Missouri State University for highly motivated high school students who study visual arts, theatre, dance, creative writing, and music. The funding will ensure that students of limited financial means can participate.

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROJECTS

MCA supports state funding for capital improvement projects for arts and cultural facilities in Missouri.

Download a PDF of MCA's 2025/FY2026 Advocacy Agenda HERE. 

Download resources like our Advocacy toolkit and training powerpoint HERE. 

Learn the name and background information of your State Representative and State Senator! Click HERE and enter your address and zip code. Contact them today and make your voice heard!