Missouri Classical Music News and Notes

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.

This press release can also be found here.