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WHO WE ARE
Missouri Citizens for the Arts, incorporated in 1980 as a
501(c)4, and MCA-Education Fund, incorporated in 1982 as a
501(c)3, are statewide organizations which work to promote
the whole of Missouri's arts industry to the public and private
sectors.
Missouri Citizens for the Arts grew out of a grassroots movement
of citizens who recognized the need for an advocacy group dedicated
to public support of the preservation and growth of the state's
arts industry. MCA-Education Fund was established to provide
the educational programming and support so crucial to advocacy
and the development of the arts industry. Publicly, these two
organizations are referred to as Missouri Citizens for the
Arts (MCA).
A 45 member Board of Directors governs both organizations
and reflects MCA's statewide constituency. An Executive Committee,
including the officers and regional vice-presidents, directs
the affairs of the organization. In addition, the Education
Fund Advisory Council unites a select group of leaders who
have served on the Missouri Arts Council or who represent Missouri's
major cultural organizations or who are business leaders committed
to promoting the arts.
MCA has organized the state into eight geographic regions.
Each region has a vice-president who provides leadership to
facilitate MCA effectively utilizing its resources to address
the specific needs and concerns of each area of the state.
The staff of both organizations consists of a full-time
Executive Director. Missouri Citizens for the Arts employees a lobbyist
on a contractual basis.
The organizations operate with a total
annual budget of less than $120,000. Income
for MCA's programs and operations is derived
from membership dues from arts organizations
served by MCA's work. Individual member
contributions and foundation and corporate
support provide income for MCA-Education
Fund.
WHY WE EXIST
The reality of securing public funding for any issue is that
advocates must present a consistent, focused message every
year to our elected officials in order to receive serious consideration
for funding. Another reality is that public financial support
of the arts industry is a necessity to insure equality of arts
and arts education opportunities in all communities in Missouri,
regardless of size.
MCA has provided a presence for the arts
industry at the Capitol for twenty-eight
years. The combination of organized, grassroots
advocacy and the work of our lobbyist and
directors, means that the arts have established
a strong voice of support for the industry.
In states where advocacy for the arts is
not organized, public funding is inconsistent
and often completely eliminated.
Without the work of Missouri Citizens for
the Arts, public funding for the state arts
agency, Fine Arts Academy, the Missouri
Cultural Trust, and various arts education
programs is sure to diminish. When funding
for arts is presented as a "discretionary"
choice, MCA is there to remind legislators
that for every one dollar invested in the
arts, eight dollars are returned to the
economy of the state. Organized, statewide
arts advocacy is a necessity to ensure continued
and growing public financial support of
the industry.
WHAT WE DO
Through programs of ADVOCACY by Missouri Citizens for the
Arts and EDUCATION by MCA-Education Fund, both organizations
seek to ensure the continuing viability and visibility of their
constituency, the whole of Missouri's arts industry.
Missouri Citizens for the Arts addresses, through grassroots
advocacy, public issues that affect the arts industry at the
local, state, and national levels. By uniting members of the
industry on issues of mutual concern, representing those issues
to elected officials and public agencies whose actions affect
the industry, MCA seeks to secure a stable and growing base
of public financial support for the arts and to insure access
to the arts for all Missourians.
MCA-Education Fund educates the public-at-large and private
business on the contributions the arts make to the economic
climate and to our quality of life. MCA-Education Fund seeks
to create a healthy and stable climate in which the arts can
develop and flourish.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Through research, education, advocacy and informational programs
and publications, MCA and the MCA Education Fund promote the
growth, vitality and visibility of the arts industry in the
communities throughout Missouri and encourage access to the
arts for all Missourians. MCA and MCA-Education Fund are acknowledged
within the state, as well as nationally, as leaders in the
field because of their innovative and effective programs. These
programs have been instrumental in:
- Establishing the Missouri Arts Council
Trust, a public endowment fund that will
provide new funding opportunities
for arts organizations, statewide.
- Securing designated, and then increased
(10%), annual funding for the Missouri
Arts Council Trust Fund, as well as funding
for a statewide cultural partnership which
includes the Missouri Humanities Council,
public broadcasting, including public
radio and television, the state library
system, and historic preservation.
- Establishing and securing annual funding
for the Missouri Fine Arts Academy, an
annual arts program which provides training
to more than 200 students with exceptional
talent.
- Training more than 8,000 citizen advocates.
- Honoring outstanding arts advocates
with the annual presentation of the MCA
Arts Advocacy Awards.
- Informing newly elected state legislators
about the importance of the arts in Missouri
by sponsoring the biennial Freshmen Legislators
Dinner.
- Sponsoring an annual Citizens' Day
at the Legislature in Jefferson City to
provide opportunities for citizen advocates
to meet with their legislators and other
elected officials.
- Providing a forum for arts organizations
and individual artists to address common
problems.
- Publishing regular newsletters on arts
issues and legislation.
- Partnering with other non-profit organizations
and agencies to raise the visibility of
the arts and arts education in Missouri
and nationally.
- Implementing a statewide email action
alert system with over 800 contact numbers.
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