Advocacy

The arts make Missouri a better place to live, learn, work, visit, and do business. Missouri should seize the once in a generation opportunity to use both state and federal funds to restore the creative sector’s place as a key economic driver and to ensure that art, culture, and creativity are essential to Missouri’s future. 

NON-RESIDENT ATHLETE AND ENTERTAINER TAX

The Non-resident Athletes and Entertainers Tax (A&E Tax) is a personal income tax paid by professional athletes and entertainers when they play or perform in Missouri. By statute (Section 143.183 RSMo), 60% of the funds should be allocated to the Missouri Arts Council Trust Fund. The A&E Tax has been collected since 1994 but it has never been distributed as intended. Beginning in FY24, this earmarked revenue stream should not be used to cover other state expenses.

• Missouri Citizens for the Arts requests the Governor and the Legislature appropriate 60% of the A&E Tax, an estimated $20 million, to the Missouri Cultural Trust Fund.
• Missouri Citizens for the Arts also requests the Governor and the Legislature fund each of the Cultural Partners — Missouri State Library Networking Fund, Missouri Humanities Council Trust Fund, Missouri Public Broadcasting Corporation Special Fund, and the Missouri Historic Preservation Revolving Fund — at the 10% required by statute. Missouri Citizens for the Arts supports the current Cultural Partners distribution formula.

ARTS EDUCATION IN MISSOURI SCHOOLS

Missouri Citizens for the Arts and the Missouri Alliance for Arts Education believe that Missouri’s K–12 students deserve access to quality education in the fine arts — music, visual arts, theatre, media arts, and dance. In addition to having its own intrinsic value, arts education stimulates compassion and empathy, develops problem-solving and critical thinking skills, and often increases aptitude for learning in other disciplines from writing to science.

• Missouri Citizens for the Arts and the Missouri Alliance for Arts Education recommend that the Missouri State Board of Education support the full implementation of the arts learning standards that were approved in 2019.
• Missouri Citizens for the Arts and the Missouri Alliance for Arts Education recommend that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education continue to employ a full-time Fine Arts Director. 
• Missouri Citizens for the Arts and the Missouri Alliance for Arts Education recommend that any legislation supporting STEM initiatives (Science, Technology Engineering & Mathematics) be expanded to include the Arts (STEAM).

MISSOURI FINE ARTS ACADEMY

Missouri Citizens for the Arts is requesting $1 million to support the 2025 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. MCA also supports funding for the Missouri Scholars Academy (MSA), a three-week summer residential program at the University of Missouri for 330 academically gifted students. 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 2023/24 Advocacy Agenda HERE. 

Download resources like our Advocacy toolkit and training powerpoint HERE. 

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