8legs: City of spokane

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Tax break for Gonzaga events being cut to fund revamped city of Spokane arts office

Spokane will recreate the City Hall arts office and fund it with admissions tax revenue beginning next year.
Gonzaga University will end its exceptional admissions tax break, boosting city revenue by about $50,000 next year.
The city envisions hiring staff for the new arts office as part of Spokane Arts’ transition and regional partnerships.
Spokane Arts plans regional partnerships to diversify funding and protect independence.
The arts office will include a permanent staff liaison to the Arts Commission as part of its setup.
The city’s admissions tax is 5% on ticket prices, with a portion historically supporting Spokane Arts and the Arts Commission.
The City Council approved a two-year contract extension for Spokane Arts to navigate the transition.
City leaders stressed the shift is about growing arts funding and economic development through the arts.
The move follows the 2012 closure of the original City Hall arts office and the nonprofit Spokane Arts’ rise.
Officials cited a broader trend of arts driving Spokane’s economy as justification for the restructuring.

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