Huskies’ move to CenturyLink could rob city’s artists of $900,000 | Arts & Culture

A new bill sponsored by three state senators from Seattle would keep CenturyLink Field from swiping $900,000 in taxes on University of Washington football ticket sales from the city when the Huskies play their season at the Clink next year.

The city gets admissions tax from ticket sales for certain events, from concerts to movies to sports events.

“What many people may not realize is that all of the city’s Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs grants to artists and arts organizations come from the office receiving 75 percent of the city’s admissions tax revenue each year,” Seattle City Councilmember Nick Licata said in a Feb. 6 blog post.

Here’s the problem. In 2012, Huskies football games are expected to generate $900,000 in admissions taxes. But, the Huskies will be playing next season at CenturyLink Field while Husky Stadium is rebuilt. And, state law requires admissions taxes raised at the Clink go to the Public Stadium Authority, not the city.

Senators Jeanne Kohl-Welles, David Frockt and Adam Kline are sponsoring SB 6574 to keep that 2012 Husky football admissions tax with the city. The bill is supported by the City of Seattle, the University of Washington and the Public Stadium Authority.

“If SB 6574 were to fail, hundreds of grant awards would be in jeopardy, affecting community festivals, individual artists and arts organizations, such as Artist Trust, the 5th Avenue Theatre and Wing Luke Museum, along with many more,” Licata said on his blog.