Missouri State Tax Credits pay off in several ways

Date: August 11, 2008

Author: Kauffman Center

Many types of donations come together to build a facility like the Kauffman Center.  However few get recognition from a state-wide arts organization.

Missouri state tax credits targeting arts projects have accomplished this.  Missouri Citizens for the Arts recently acknowledged the state’s improvement within rankings related to public funding for the arts.  “The Blunt administration should be congratulated for helping Missouri rise to 14th among the 56 states and territories,” says Jane Chu of the Kauffman Center.  This improvement (from a former ranking of 49th) was partially due to strategies like the tax credits that have benefited the Kauffman Center.

Tax credits are a partnership with state government to support charitable projects.  In December, 2005, the State of Missouri acknowledged the value of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and entered into a Tax Credit Agreement.  Tax credits made available to Kauffman Center donors (totaling $25 million) helped spur contributions of $50 million to the new performing arts center.

According to Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder (pictured here with Julia Irene Kauffman), “This administration was pleased to support and advocate for these state incentives.  Helping arts organization like the Kauffman Center succeed is good for local communities and good for the entire state.  The arts reflect positively upon Missouri, support tourism and improve quality of life for our citizens.” 

Under Blunt and Kinder’s leadership, Missouri now ranks 14th among the 56 states and territories, based on net legislative appropriations for fiscal year 2008 as compiled by the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies. And this does not even include the recent increase of an additional $3 million that was just passed by Missouri’s General Assembly and which will contribute toward the state’s per capita ranking.

On July 25, Lt. Governor Peter Kinder took a Hard Hat Tour at the Kauffman Center construction site, checking in on the project he had helped spur through his support of tax credits.  It was the first time he had seen the project since he attended groundbreaking in October, 2006. He is seen in this photo between Jane Chu and Julia Irene Kauffman.

“It was great to see how much progress has been made,” Kinder said.  “As you look from the Kauffman Center site toward Kansas City’s vibrant downtown, it’s easy to see that the state’s investment is paying off with a synergy that is good for the region.  And the arts get a boost, too.”