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The artistic director of one of Utah's premier arts organizations says his company is not on the brink of collapse and he is meeting financial obligations.
Many of Utah's arts organizations have struggled in the past, and some are facing very lean times in this economy. Odyssey Dance Theatre, like many, receives grants from Salt Lake County's Zoo, Arts and Parks tax funds.
Artistic Director Derryl Yeager admits to owing back taxes to the IRS but says his company has a payment agreement with the government.
Winning Best in State for the past three years, Odyssey Dance Theatre is considered cutting edge in its choreography. But the company has hit more than a few bumps in paying its debts, owing hundreds of thousands in back taxes to the IRS.
A recent newspaper article focuses on what the company's artistic director called "old news." He said, "It seems odd that this article would come out at this time when we are actually doing what we should be doing to take care of this issue."
The 29 dancers in the company are in rehearsals for a new spring production. Yeager says their jobs are secure.
Odyssey Dance Theatre owes the IRS $170,000 in back taxes, with interest and penalties that ballooned to close to $700,000 at one point. But through an "Offer in Compromise," both the company through performance revenues and Derryl Yeager, personally, will make monthly payments.
Odyssey has received, and in 2009 will receive, $130,000 from ZAP, or Zoo, Arts and Parks, tax money from Salt Lake County. Both the Salt Lake County Council and the arts board approved it knowing of Odyssey's IRS debt.
Yeager says, "ZAP has not only been helpful financially for us, but they've also helped us get our ducks, you know get everything in order and take care of the issues that will make sure that we will be around for years to come."
Yeager says he was told this information about Odyssey Dance Theatre surfaced through another Utah arts organization. He says that group didn't have all the facts.
E-mail: cmikita@ksl.com
