Coalition Forms to Advocate for Proposed 7% Ticket Fee To Protect and Sustain Columbus' Arts and Cultural Sector and its Economic Impact

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- A coalition has organized to support and advocate for Greater Columbus Arts Council's (GCAC) proposed 7% ticket fee currently under consideration by Columbus City Council.

The coalition, named "Protect Art 4 Columbus" is a diverse coalition of neighborhood leaders, small business owners, parents, retirees, artists, art patrons and sports fans from throughout Columbus and Franklin County.

"The data shows that nearly half a billion dollars in economic activity, 15,000 jobs and the attraction of millions of visitors to Columbus are attributable to our arts, cultural, sports and entertainment sector," said Protect Art 4 Columbus Co-chair Mark Corna, retired CEO of Corna Kokosing Construction Company. "It is critical that Columbus secure a public sector revenue stream to protect this economic engine that drives jobs, income tax revenue and visitors. GCAC's ticket fee proposal is a smart policy that does just that." 

Protect Art 4 Columbus Co-chair Stefanie Coe, an attorney and long-time neighborhood leader on Columbus' southwest side, said she supports the ticket fee as someone who volunteers extensive hours to improve our communities and the lives of children particularly from underserved communities.

"With the ticket fee, we can double arts education opportunities for children to more than 1.5 million each year," Coe said. "The power of theater, music, dance and art in all forms allows us to come together to share our lives, emotions and passions, even if we don't speak the same language. Children, who are given the chance to express themselves through art find ways to communicate and deal with some of the most heart wrenching experiences of their lives. We have a community obligation to ensure there is a sustainable future for arts education and outreach programs and the many children who depend on those efforts."

GCAC's proposal asks the city of Columbus to enact a 7% fee on all tickets and admissions to arts, culture, and entertainment events or live performances for not-for-profit and for-profit entities, including professional sports. The fee would not apply to tickets costing $10 or less or at venues of 400 seats or less. According to GCAC's research and financial analysis, a 7% ticket fee would help address the $15 million annual funding gap needed to sustain Columbus' arts and cultural sector.

The proposal calls for 70% of the funds be dedicated to arts and cultural organizations operations, project support to cultural organizations of all sizes, festivals and provide grants to artists. The 30% balance of funds would go to the publicly owned Nationwide Arena for capital improvements. 

Protect Art 4 Columbus Co-Chair Jim Sweeney, a long-time Franklinton community leader and economic development consultant, said he supports the ticket fee because, "It has the potential to strengthen many Columbus neighborhoods and the macro and micro communities of arts organizations, artists and entertainment districts. For those of us who have worked in Columbus for many years, we have witnessed a number of neighborhoods built or strengthened around arts, culture and entertainment venues and businesses to serve as the economic development engine in that area. It's the perfect public-private partnership scenario that helps build neighborhoods."

Larry James, managing partner with Crabbe, Brown, James and an art patron, supports the ticket fee and is serving as a co-chair of the Protect Art 4 Columbus Coalition. "Families' and children's participation in the arts should not be limited by the zip code they live in," James said. "Sustainability of Columbus' arts through the ticket fee will help eliminate this disparity and better guarantee diversity in the arts. The year-long Harlem Renaissance program is a prime example of the impact the arts can have on a community."

The Protect Art 4 Columbus co-chairs are:

Michael Bush, artist
Stefanie Coe, southwest Columbus neighborhood leader and attorney
Mark Corna, retired CEO, Corna Kokosing Construction
Mary Jo Green, community volunteer
Larry James, managing partner, Crabbe, Brown, James
Jeff Mathes, owner, Due Amici restaurant
James Ragland, community activist
Eric Rausch, artist
Jim Sweeney, Franklinton neighborhood leader
T. Wong, singer, songwriter
Peter Yockel, co-founder, Short North Stage

The Protect Art 4 Columbus Coalition says it will indicate its support to city officials via its website, ProtectArt4Columbus.com and through Facebook/art4columbus.

Contact Lisa Griffin, 614.302.2135 or [email protected]

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SOURCE Protect Art 4 Columbus Coalition