Missouri Citizens 
for the Arts
Missouri Citizens 
for the Arts
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    • Home
    • About
      • About
      • People & Partners
    • Advocacy
      • Advocacy
      • Become an Arts Advocate
      • Arts Advocacy Week
    • Join Us
    • News & Views
    • Impact
      • Impact
      • Resources
    • Contact
    • Donate
  • Home
  • About
    • About
    • People & Partners
  • Advocacy
    • Advocacy
    • Become an Arts Advocate
    • Arts Advocacy Week
  • Join Us
  • News & Views
  • Impact
    • Impact
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Advocacy

Make Your Voice Heard!

 Our advocacy efforts are year-round. Remember, it is never too late for new advocates to get involved and make their voices heard.  Find out below how you can contact elected officials, get sample scripts and even "Adopt-a-Legislator."

ARTS ADVOCACY ACTION ALERT EMAILS

 Make sure you are on our email list serve to receive the latest Action Alerts during the legislative session.  Knowing who to write at the right time is key to effective advocacy.  Contact us and stay informed of the latest action at the State Capitol in Jefferson City.

Get Alerts!

Here is how you can get involved!

Contact Elected Officials in Missouri

Know the Elected Officials in Your Area

Know the Elected Officials in Your Area

Get contacts for all members of the Missouri House of Representatives, the Senate and the Office of the Governor. Or contact the Capitol switchboard directly at 573-751-2000.

Get Contact Information

Know the Elected Officials in Your Area

Know the Elected Officials in Your Area

Know the Elected Officials in Your Area

Learn the name and background information of your State Representative and State Senator. All you need is your zip code!

Legislator Look-Up

Sample Scripts

Arts Advocacy Week

Arts Advocacy Week

Not sure what to say? We have you covered! Download sample phone scripts and a sample letter to the Governor. 

Download Scripts

Arts Advocacy Week

Arts Advocacy Week

Arts Advocacy Week

Take your message to the Capitol during Arts Advocacy Week! It's our annual effort to contact all elected officials during their legislative session. 

Find Out More
Sign on and join our cause!

Adopt-A-Legislator

We need your help to educate elected officials about the importance of the arts in Missouri. Sign on to be a part of MCA’s Adopt-A-Legislator program and “adopt” one or more legislators from your area. We’ll send you tips for staying in touch with them about issues that are important to Missouri arts! 

Adopt Now!

MCA's 2025/FY2026 Advocacy Agenda

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 OUR AGENDA

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


RESOURCES

Download resources like our Advocacy toolkit and training powerpoint HERE. 


LEGISLATOR LOOK-UP

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!

Become an Arts Advocate

Become a strong advocate for the arts in your community, Jefferson City, and beyond. We provide content for your own compelling messages about the importance and impact of the arts in your community.  

Find out more

SIGN UP FOR OUR ACTION ALERT NEWSLETTER

Hear from us about upcoming workshops, events, and news!
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