Minnesota Citizens for the Arts

Minnesota Citizens for the Arts (MCA) is a statewide arts advocacy organization that organizes the arts community to lobby the Minnesota State Legislature.

In November 1975, a group of individuals formed Minnesota Citizens for the Arts to build stronger legislative support for the arts. With a handful of dedicated people, MCA began work during the 1976 legislative session when the arts were tied to the stadium bill. Although the Arts/Stadium bill did not pass, the session proved to be good preparation for the biennial appropriation to the Minnesota State Arts Board the following year. The effects of a unified advocacy group were demonstrated in 1977 when the biennial appropriation increased from $1 million to $4 million. MCA’s first advocacy efforts were spearheaded by Hope Quackenbush, first Executive Director, Diane Gallert, second Executive Director, and Gary Fretheim, first President of the Board of Directors.

After hard-won incremental successes, MCA hit some rocky times at the legislature as well, particularly during the early 1980s and the early 1990s, when budget crises sent panic through the government and massive funding cuts swept state agencies. In 1981 and 1982, arts funding dropped 12% and 25%, respectively. As the fiscal nightmares of the early 1980s subsided, MCA shifted from a defensive mode back into the offense. Over the next several appropriations cycles, MCA was able to recover the lost ground and move the appropriations to ever-higher levels. These victories culminated in the $12 million initiative in 1997 that brought an 80% increase in state funding for the arts, making Minnesota second in the nation in per capita funding for the arts.

In 1999, MCA successfully fought off an attempt to cut the state appropriation in half. MCA also helped pass the exemption from sales tax on admissions to arts events and protects current tax exemptions for nonprofit arts organizations.

In 2003, Minnesota faced one of the worst per-capita deficits in the nation. Governor Tim Pawlenty proposed a 40% cut in arts funding. MCA's efforts helped to bring the cuts down to 32%.

In 2004, MCA became involved in Minnesota's Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment, which intended to dedicate a percentage of sales tax revenue to the arts and culture of Minnesota, as well as land and water conservation. Although the amendment passed through several committees, and reached the Senate floor, the amendment failed to pass.

In 2006, debate over the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment resumed in the Senate, where the arts were removed and added to the bill several times. Again, the bill failed to pass.

In 2007, arts funding in Minnesota was increased by $1.743 million to $10.336 million per year with the help of MCA and legislative leaders. The Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment, although it again failed to pass due to a filibuster on another issue, remained a possibility and MCA and conservationists began organizing the "Vote Yes!" campaign in support of the amendment.

In 2008, the amendment was passed by legislators to be put to a vote for the 2008 election. The "Vote Yes!" campaign picked up speed, as MCA rallied public support for the amendment. On election day, Minnesota passed the amendment with 56% support for the protection of the arts and environment for the next 25 years.

In 2009, Minnesota once again has one of the worst per capita deficits in the nation. Governor Tim Pawlenty has recommended to cut arts funding by 50%. MCA worked to secure 46% of the funding from the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment for the arts funding system in Minnesota known as the State Arts Board and Regional Arts Councils.

MCA’s Board Presidents

• Gary Fretheim, 1975–77
• Maddie Simons, 1977–78
• John Fischer, 1978–80
• Karen Jensen, 1980–81
• Karen Gray, 1981–83
• Curt Lambrecht, 1983–84
• Jean Fournier, 1984–86
• Gordon Dodge, 1986–87
• John Roth, 1987–89
• Bill Miller, 1989–91
• Charles Skrief, 1991–93
• Jennifer Halcrow, 1993–95
• Ben Vander Kooi, Jr., 1995–97
• Steve Barberio, 1997–99
• Sean Dowse, 1999–2001
• Barbara Davis, 2001–2003
• Rebecca Petersen, 2003–2005
• Michael Robins, 2006–2008
• Craig Dunn, 2009–Present

MCA’s Executive Directors

• Hope Quackenbush, 1975–77
• Diane Gallert, 1977–80
• Megan Jones, 1980–84
• Ellen McInnis, 1984–88
• Pam Perri Weaver, 1988–95
• Sheila Smith, 1996–present