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Factoring the Arts into the Economy

By Anne Katz, executive director, Arts Wisconsin

Anne Katz at the Joint Finance Committee hearing in Brillion, Wis., in March 2015. Submitted.

Anne Katz at the Joint Finance Committee hearing in Brillion, Wis., in March 2015. Submitted.

I work in the arts, but let me start by talking about the economy.

The fundamental reason that the arts are important and worthy of attention and support is because the arts make us human. Without creativity, we’d be robots. But in our rapidly changing 21st century world, the arts are also a means for economic, educational and civic success.

In this country, and across the world, we’ve come to a moment in history where we know the old economy is ending (we’re not in a recession any more, we’re in a new economy), we can see the new economy ahead of us, and we are all trying to define what this new/creative economy means. In general, the funding and support systems, and mindset, for economic and community development and engagement are based on the pre-2008 economy. That means that our systems and mindsets must change.

Finding common ground and continuing to move forward in our state is critical. There’s good news and bad news in Wisconsin, where the successes and failures of the global shifts are intermingled in equal measure. Our state’s historic major industries – manufacturing and agriculture – have been hit hard by forces outside our borders; our population is diversifying and aging; our communities are looking for ways to remain vibrant and healthy. There are stark financial and racial disparities, and fundamental philosophical disagreements about how to steward our environmental, educational and civic heritage, and achieve prosperity for all.

There’s no quick solution to the issues facing Wisconsin, or any other state. In fact, there’s no “solution,” because change is constant and the work on the ground doesn’t stop. But here’s the good news: what’s happening on the local level in arts and cultural development throughout Wisconsin, with myriad possibilities on the state level, shows us a path for new ideas and new methods to stay ahead of the change around us. The arts – bringing creativity, imagination, innovation, and entrepreneurship – are what we are all looking for.

Arts Wisconsin is Wisconsin’s independent statewide community cultural development organization that analyzes and advances the arts in economic, educational and civic infrastructure systems. We are guided by Wisconsin’s progressive traditions and the Wisconsin Idea, the century-old philosophy that the benefits and resources of the great University of Wisconsin should be available to all in the state. The arts have been as much a part of that heritage as any other sector. Wisconsin is justifiably proud of its incredibly creative people, exemplary arts institutions in communities of all sizes, and a history of involvement in the arts on the local level.

We know that Wisconsin needs to up its game to invest in the arts and creativity as a 21st century strategy for success. That’s why we are working strategically and pro-actively right now in the State Legislature to establish the Creative Economy Development Initiative, an innovative new program to grow Wisconsin’s creative communities, educational systems and economic opportunities.

The Initiative is a public/private partnership to leverage and grow assets and resources throughout Wisconsin, providing:

  • Local and regional creative economic development that creates and expands jobs, businesses and income, through downtown and community revitalization, civic engagement, and cultural tourism programs, from public art programs to artist live/work spaces to community cultural planning.
  • Arts and creativity in education as a deliberate strategy for workforce development, to expand skills training; stimulate creative thinking, idea generation, innovation and inspiration; and enable entrepreneurship – all qualities needed in the 21st century world and workforce. Every kid in Wisconsin deserves the opportunity to participate in and learn from the arts.
  • Strengthening capacity and entrepreneurship for and in the state’s diverse arts infrastructure, supporting for-profit and nonprofit arts businesses and programs that focus on civic engagement and community involvement.

The bill designates a total of $500,000 over the biennium to launch the program, which will be administered by the Wisconsin Arts Board in a 2:1 matching grant program to support projects focused on any and all of the three issues. For-profit and nonprofit arts and community businesses, economic development organizations, and agencies of local government will be eligible to apply.

Right now, the bill to create this program is being reviewed by the State Legislature as Senate Bill #482 and Assembly Bill #636. Rep. Joel Kitchens of Sturgeon Bay has already signed on as a co-sponsor. After the bills pass committees in both houses, it will go before the full Legislature and then to the Governor for his signature.

There is exciting support statewide for this new program and we’re optimistic about achieving the Initiative in this year’s legislative session, as long as we continue to make the case. Get the latest info at our website, artswisconsin.org, or find Arts Wisconsin on Facebook and Twitter.

Come to Arts Day 2016 on March 9 at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center in Madison, and join with colleagues and friends to speak up for the Initiative and for the arts and creativity in Wisconsin. Everyone who cares about the arts and creativity, and Wisconsin’s future, should attend. It’s the biggest day for the arts and creativity in the state. To register visit artswisconsin.org/artsday2016/.

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