Say No to the Proposed D.C. Ticket Tax - Sign the Petition before 5/26

On Thursday, May 26, the D.C. City Council will vote on a sales tax amendment which, if passed, will impose a sales tax on tickets sold by non-federal, nonprofit arts and cultural organizations in the District: performing arts groups, museums, churches, public schools, universities -- anyone who charges an admission price for a ticketed event.

If this tax amendment is passed...  

• Ticket prices throughout D.C. will increase.
• Fewer audience members will attend performances.
• The businesses near theatres, including retail centers and restaurants, will see less traffic as smaller audiences attend performances.
• Organizations will face new administrative costs to implement the tax, so less money will be able to go toward the organizations' missions. 
• The vibrant, diverse arts community in the District will be compromised.

We firmly believe that passing this amendment will actually decrease overall funds to the District and hurt nonprofits and local businesses.

Furthermore, this proposed tax comes on the heels of a 75% grant reduction due to the recent federal budget cuts to the National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs Program, which provides invaluable operating support to the Shakespeare Theatre Company and other major D.C. arts organizations. This loss of funding, coupled with the proposed ticket tax, could have direct results on many of STC's free education and outreach programs -- and the thousands of adults and children who benefit from them.

Please stand with us and our fellow nonprofit organizations, and let the D.C. City Council know that you're against the sales tax amendment. (See below for details.) 

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Washington DC Arts Groups

Say No to the Proposed D.C. Ticket Tax 

If you support the arts in D.C., here's how YOU can help:

1.)   Write a letter to the D.C. City Council. Click here to read a sample letter. It also contains talking points you may use if you prefer to write your own letter. You'll find the Council Members' email addresses here.

2.) Fill out the online petition. Tell the D.C. City Council what you think in one minute or less. 

Make your voice heard, whether you're a D.C. resident or not.