Fight for Arts Education/MDSOD

After 40 years of education and service to our community, Miss Dianna’s School of Dance, has become the most recent target of the Missouri Department of Revenue’s attack on Arts Education. After four years of fighting against the unjust and biased claim that dance is strictly entertainment and not education, Miss Dianna’s School of Dance had an entertainment tax levied against them and backdating over four years. The Missouri Department of Revenue had begun to audit studios statewide and singled out Miss Dianna's School of Dance, demanding back taxes based solely on the idea that dance is NOT educational. Thanks to the efforts of Miss Dianna’s School of Dance, state legislation was passed to prevent any other studio from being charged back entertainment tax on their lesson fees. The Missouri Department of Revenue has previously audited gyms under the same precedence and due to the financial strain and unrealistic due dates, sadly some of those business were forced to close their doors.  

Miss Dianna’s School of Dance is more than just a studio. It’s a place of education and enrichment. This studio has been a part of our community for more than 40 years and has become a part of many of the families that have passed through its doors. My family included.

Miss Dianna’s School of Dance is a place to learn and grow, not just in dance but also in life. Miss Dianna’s School of Dance has taught many of its students how to count, multiply, and dived through movement on the dance floor. It has developed many children’s critical thinking and problem solving abilities through the use of dance. Not to mention the team building, leadership, and confidence, that comes with any sport or team activity.  Because the Missouri Department of Revenue has deemed dance is NOT educational, this studio, that has become a part of so many of us, is being threatened with closure. We cannot let that happen. We cannot lose such an important part of our community and we cannot let the Missouri Department of Revenue think we will sit idly by and allow this to happen.

Please help aid us in our effort to relieve some of this financial burden. Those who have danced, currently dance, and will dance at Miss Dianna’s School of Dance will be eternally grateful. Your donation could help aid in the enrichment, growth, and learning of the next generation of dancers.

 Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts! Words cannot express how much we appreicate any and all support!