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Regional arts funder Bravo warns local programs could lose access if hotel-motel tax shrinks
Summary
A Bravo representative told the council that nearly all Bravo revenue comes from hotel-motel taxes and that changes to contributions or eligibility could force cuts to programs and higher ticket prices. She said the organization is considering eligibility and funding-pathway changes and urged dialogue with member cities.
Clive — A representative of Bravo Greater Des Moines presented to the Clive City Council on April 24, outlining Bravos regional role, funding model and potential consequences if local hotel-motel tax revenues decline or municipal contribution formulas change.
The presenter described Bravo as a 20-year-old regional agency supported almost entirely by hotel-motel taxes. "Hotel Motel Tax makes up 95% of Bravo's annual revenue," the presenter told the council, and the organization does not broadly fundraise to avoid competing with the cultural groups it supports.
Staff explained how grant dollars are distributed: Bravo's largest operating‑grant cycle historically directs most dollars to large, regionally focused organizations; in the latest cycle, roughly 70% of funding went to organizations with annual budgets of $1 million or more, while dozens of smaller organizations shared a much smaller pool of funds. The presenter said Bravo is reviewing eligibility criteria to balance regional economic drivers and smaller community-based programs.
For Clive specifically, staff said residents account for about 4% of paid attendees at Bravo-supported events and that Clives five-year contributions represent roughly 4% of Bravos revenue. Presenter remarks cited Clive-specific awards including about $120,000 in public-art grant funding and approximately $40,000 in "passport to culture" funding for the local school district.
Council members asked whether cities should have pathways to opt out of funding individual institutions they disagree with, and whether Bravo could return more programming directly to smaller communities. The presenter said those ideas deserve discussion and noted administrative constraints on providing more localized services without added capacity.
Why it matters: Council members are weighing local fiscal pressures and considering whether Clives investment formula should change. Any revision could affect programming available to Clive residents and the financial outlook for regional cultural organizations.
