Missouri Citizens for the Arts

2021/2022 Advocacy Agenda

Missouri Arts Council Funding & Cultural Partners

In FY2020, Missouri’s Department of Revenue collected more than $30 million new funds from the income tax on professional non-resident athletes and entertainers who work in Missouri. By statute, 60% of that is to be allocated to the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency. The Non-resident Athletes & Entertainers Tax (A&E Tax) is a personal income tax on professional athletes and entertainers when they play or perform in Missouri. It is collected by the state and, by statute (Section 143.183 RSMo), a designated amount is to be distributed among five Cultural Partners: Missouri Arts Council Trust Fund, (60%); Missouri State Library Networking Fund, (10%); Missouri Humanities Council Trust Fund, (10%); Missouri Public Broadcasting Corporation Special Fund, (10%); and the Missouri Historic Preservation Revolving Fund, (10%).

For FY2022, Missouri Citizens for the Arts requests the Governor and the Legislature appropriate 60% of the non-resident professional athlete and entertainers’ income tax, an estimated $18 million, to the Missouri Cultural Trust Fund.
Missouri Citizens for the Arts also requests the Governor and the Legislature fund the Cultural Partners at the 10% required by statute.
Missouri Citizens for the Arts supports the A&E distribution formula for the five Cultural Partners. MCA does not support expanding or revising the distribution formula.
Last year, the Missouri General Assembly appropriated $4.8 million to the Missouri Cultural Trust Fund for FY2021. The Missouri Arts Council used those funds to support more than 500 arts programs statewide.

Missouri Fine Arts Academy

Missouri Citizens for the Arts requests that the Governor and Legislature support funding for the June, 2022 Missouri Fine Arts Academy (MFAA) at $500,000. MFAA is a three-week residential program at Missouri State University for 150 rising high school juniors and seniors who are gifted in the arts.

Arts Education in Missouri Schools

Missouri Citizens for the Arts encourages the Missouri State Board of Education to support comprehensive fine arts instruction (dance, drama/theatre, music, and visual art) in elementary, middle and high schools.

Missouri Citizens for the Arts and the Missouri Alliance for Arts Education (MAAE) recommend a minimum of 60 minutes of instruction per week for music and 60 minutes of instruction per week for visual art in elementary schools, a minimum of 3,000 minutes of fine arts instruction in middle schools and one fine arts graduation requirement in high schools. All courses should be taught by certified fine arts specialists in the appropriate disciplines.
Missouri Citizens for the Arts and the MAAE recommend that the State Board of Education support the implementation of the Missouri Learning Standards and recognize the role of arts instruction as an integral part in the effective achievement of these standards.
Missouri Citizens for the Arts and MAAE recommend continued employment of a full-time Fine Arts Director at DESE.

Capital Improvement Projects

Missouri Citizens for the Arts supports state funding for capital improvement projects for visual and performing arts spaces in Missouri.

LEGISLATOR LOOK-UP

If you would like to learn the name and background information of your State Representative and State Senator, please go to the following link, and type in your address and zip code:

CLICK HERE TO LOOK UP YOUR LEGISLATOR

ARTS ADVOCACY ACTION ALERT LIST

Make sure you are on Missouri Citizens for the Arts list serve to receive the latest Action Alerts during the legislative session. Know who to write at the right time is key to effective advocacy. MCA’s Governmental Affairs Consultant, Kyna Iman, will keep you informed of the latest action at the State Capitol in Jefferson City. Contact her to sign up: kynaiman@earthlink.net