March
2009

March issue
Back to all issues
SHARE THIS ARTICLE:
March 9, 2009

DEDICATING TAX REVENUE TO THE ARTS

DEDICATING TAX REVENUE TO THE ARTS

Clean Water, Wildlife, Cultural Heritage and Natural Areas Amendment
Minnesota State Arts Board

In the November 2008 election, the citizens of Minnesota voted to approve a constitutional amendment that dedicates sales tax revenue to the state’s natural resources and the arts. The amendment raises the sales tax 3/8ths of 1% starting on July 1, 2009. This is estimated to raise approximately $270-$300 million per year, depending on consumer spending, until the year 2034. The revenue generated from the sales tax increase will be allocated into four funds intended to supplement traditional funding sources from the state’s general appropriation. The four funds are the Outdoor Heritage Fund (stipulated to receive 33% of revenues), the Clean Water Fund (33% of revenues), Parks and Trails Fund (14.25% of revenues), and the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund (19.75% of revenues). The Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund must be used for the arts, arts education and arts access and to preserve Minnesota’s history and cultural heritage. The Minnesota State Legislature must now determine how to allocate the funds that will be generated. The Minnesota State Arts Board hopes to receive a significant portion of the new funding. Planning for this initiative took many years as well as an extensive citizen education and advertising campaign, in which the arts invested about $4 million. Advocacy collaboration between the environmental and cultural communities and strong leadership from influential state legislators were all pivotal to the ultimate passage of the referendum. For further information, contact Minnesota State Arts Board Executive Director Sue Gens.

NASAA’s information-sharing depends on your participation. What are your most successful current initiatives? Have you launched any great programs, policies, services or partnerships? We want to hear about them! Contact NASAA Policy and Program Associate Jesse Rye (202-347-6352 x118) and include your name, your agency, a brief description of your project and whom to contact to learn more about it.

NASAA works continuously to keep you abreast of the latest trends in the state arts agency field and let you know about innovative state arts agency programs. The State to State column provides a sampling of state programs, products and services for you to browse for information and inspiration. We are grateful to everyone who contributed to this column.