Making the Case for the Arts in Missouri 2006

Making a Case for the Arts in Missouri 2005

The Department of Economic Development Creative Studies Report

END OF SESSION REPORT

The General Assembly adjourned at 6:00 p.m., on Friday, May 17, for the legislative interim. The legislature escaped the threat of a special session, after passing Governor Blunt's top priorities on the last day. Bills were passed that toughen laws on immigrants and provide property tax reform across the state.

A Senate filibuster to repeal the so-called "village law" lasted until 4 a.m. Friday morning. The village law passed; however debate on it prevented other controversial bills from passage such as voter photo ID, abortion and health insurance.

Missouri Citizens for the Arts had a successful session. Below is a list of appropriations and legislation that we worked on this session.

Missouri Citizens for the Arts is pleased to report both the General Assembly approved an additional $3 million additional for the Cultural Trust Fund for FY2009! This is the largest appropriation to the Cultural Trust in the state’s history bringing the total FY2009 funds to $10.8 million! This important increase is also in addition to the $500,000 appropriated from general revenue to the Missouri Arts Council. The total appropriation for FY2009 will be $11.3 million - the largest total appropriation in history for the arts in Missouri!

All of the other Cultural Partners (Missouri State Library Networking Fund, Missouri Humanities Council Trust Fund, Missouri Public Broadcasting Corporation Special Fund, and Missouri Historic Preservation Revolving Fund) will receive $1.8 million each, a $500,000 increase.

The General Assembly appropriated $718,306 for the Missouri Scholars Academy and the Missouri Fine Arts Academy. This represents an increase of $100,000.

The First Lady requested $3 million in funding for capital improvements to be made to the Governor's Mansion. The General Assembly combined the Mansion and improvements at the Capitol Building and appropriated $7,166,197.

JUNETEENTH LEGISLATION

The Juneteenth Festival legislation, House Bill 2535, was filed again this year. This year Representative Ryan Silvey, from Kansas City, sponsored the legislation. The bill would change the distribution of the non-resident professional athlete and entertainers' tax. The proposed legislation would take 10% of the funding from the Missouri Cultural Trust Fund's 60% allocation and appropriate it to fund a Juneteenth Festival. The bill would also remove the $10 million cap on the general revenue amount allowed to fund the Missouri Arts Council. The bill had a hearing late in the session; however, never was voted out of committee.

Gov. Blunt Recommends Nearly Double the Funding for the Arts & Cultural Partners

Governor Continues Commitment to Restore Dedicated Resources to Support Missouri’s Cultural Opportunities

Gov. Matt Blunt continues to honor his commitment to restore dedicated resources for the arts for their designated purpose, and today he announced he is recommending another funding increase for the Missouri Arts Council.


Gov. Blunt is recommending an additional $6.8 million increase for the Arts Council, which would nearly double the state’s current funding level for the arts. If approved, the governor will have increased funding for the arts every year he has served as governor. Additionally, Gov. Blunt will recommend a $4.5 million increase for the other Non-Resident Athletes and Entertainers tax cultural partners, including the Humanities Council, Public Broadcasting, Historic Preservation, and State Library Networking.


“The arts play a significant and vital role in education, economic development, and the community,” Gov. Blunt said. “Art enriches the lives of all Missourians, and I am recommending a nearly $7 million funding increase for the Missouri Arts Council to support this important part of our state’s culture.”


Gov. Blunt will recommend $14.6 million total to support the Missouri Arts Council in his Fiscal Year 09 Budget, a significant $6.8 million increase over the previous year’s funding and more than 20 times the Fiscal Year 06 amount. If approved, the governor’s budget will include a total increase of $11.3 million for all cultural partners in the Non-Resident Athletes and Entertainers tax.


The Missouri Arts Council is a division of the Missouri Department of Economic Development and provides vital funding each year to nonprofit organizations through grants that encourage and stimulate the growth, development, and appreciation of the arts in Missouri. The Missouri Arts Council provides funding to make possible quality arts programming to both large and small communities.


Gov. and First Lady Melanie Blunt are strong advocates for the arts in Missouri. The governor directed that funds from the Non-Resident Athletes and Entertainers Tax be distributed to cultural partners, including the Arts Council. Blunt’s support for funding of the arts in Missouri already has led to a $7.2 million increase for the arts in his previous budgets and is ensuring that funds from the Athletes and Entertainers Tax are being spent on the purpose for which it was created. The First Lady serves as the honorary chair for Missouri Citizens for the Arts and has worked to promote arts across Missouri.


Gov. Blunt created the position of Missouri Poet Laureate to help promote the arts in Missouri and to encourage Missourians to learn more about the many cultural opportunities available in the state. This week the governor appointed Walter Bargen as the state’s first-ever Missouri Poet Laureate.

First Lady Melanie Blunt Accepts Position of Honorary Chair of Missouri Citizens for the Arts

Missouri Citizens for the Arts (MCA) is pleased to announce Mrs. Melanie Blunt, First Lady of the State of Missouri, as the 2007-2008 Honorary Chair of MCA, the state's only non-profit arts advocacy organization.

"The arts have an important and immeasurable impact on our culture and families," Mrs. Blunt said. "I believe the arts, in all media, enrich our lives and our perspective. I am honored to represent the Missouri Citizens for the Arts and pleased to join their efforts dedicated to public support of preserving and strengthening the state's arts industry."

Mrs. Blunt was chosen as an ambassador for the arts because of her love and support for the arts. Governor Matt Blunt and Mrs. Blunt's work to restore public funding for the arts in Missouri is essential. Their leadership and support has resulted in a $7.2 million increase in public funding for the arts over the past two years.

The Board of Directors of Missouri Citizens for the Arts and its citizen members throughout the state are honored to have the First Lady associated with the arts in Missouri. Missouri Citizens for the Arts looks forward to Mrs. Blunt's active participation in the organization.

According to Janette M. Lohman, President of the Board of Directors, "Mrs. Blunt's Chairmanship of our arts advocacy organization brings a deserving magnitude of attention to MCA and the important work we do to create a better quality of life for Missourians by fighting for public funding for the arts. MCA helps to distinguish Missouri's culture by uniting the hands of the citizens with government, business, and the art community to further the support and growth of arts and art education in our state. We are proud to have the First Lady associated with this important issue."

ARTS CAUCUS

Missouri Citizens for the Arts is happy to announce the following members of the Arts Caucus for the Missouri House of Representatives. Representative Sara Lampe (D-Springfield) and David Pearce (R-Warrensburg) will serve as the new Co-Chairs.

If your State Representative has joined the Arts Caucus, please take the time to call or write a note of thanks for joining this important group and for their support of the arts.

Representative Judy Baker 573.751.1169
Representative Rachel Bringer 573.751.9818
Representative Michael Brown 573.751.7639
Representative Maria Chappelle-Nadal 573.751.4265
Representative Mike Daus 573.751.6736
Representative Margaret Donnelly 573.751.0100
Representative Sally Faith 573.751.1452
Representative Kathlyn Fares 573.751.1285
Representative Barney Fisher 573.751.5388
Representative Jim Guest 573.751.0246
Representative Steve Hodges 573.751.4085
Representative Steve Hunter 573.751.5458
Representative Tim Jones 573.751.0562
Representative Sara Lampe 573.751.1406
Representative Beth Low 573.751.4485
Representative Jenee Lowe 573.751.2437
Representative Rebecca McClanahan 537.751.4042
Representative Kate Meiners 573.751.9469
Representative Danie Moore 573.751.5226
Representative Jerry Nolte 573.751.1470
Representative Jeanette Oxford 573.751.4567
Representative Sam Page 573.751.9762
Representative David Pearce 573.751.2272
Representative John Quinn 573.751.2917
Representative Therese Sander 573.751.6566
Representative Charles Schlottach 573.751.6668
Representative Sue Schoemehl 573.751.9804
Representative Tom Shively 573.751.4065
Representative Trent Skaggs 573.751.2199
Representative Michael Sutherland 573.751.2689
Representative Terry Swinger 573.751.2264
Representative Mike Talboy 573.751.1309
Representative Thomas Villa 573.751.0438
Representative Jim Whorton 573.751.1649
Representative Ed Wildberger 573.751.9755
Representative Terry Witte 573.751.9614
Representative Billy Wright 573.751.1494
Representative Pat Yaeger 573.751.0220
Representative Brian Yates 573.751.0907
Representative Terry Young 573.751.9851
Representative Jake Zimmerman 573.751.4163
Representative Clint Zweifel 573.751.5365

LEGISLATIVE DIRECTORIES

MCA encourages you to continue to communicate with your elected officials about public funding for the arts.

To help make this easier for you, free Missouri Legislative Directories are available by requesting a copy from Cristina Garcia at mo4arts@swbell.net Please include your complete name and address for delivery.

MISSOURI LEGISLATORS CAN BE REACHED
IN JEFFERSON CITY BY CONTACTING THE
CAPITOL SWITCHBOARD AT 573-751-2000.