If we want these and all of Wisconsin’s creative hubs to be vibrant and here for future generations, investment needs to be made now before arts sector talent leaves our state.”Ĭhris Clemens, director of Viroqua Chamber Main Street, stated, “Wisconsin must continue to cultivate a competitive, creative workforce that fuels the economy and grows the 21 st century economy and all of our communities.” The future for these organizations continues to be fragile as private funding alone cannot keep up with rising costs. Patrick Rath, president of the United Performing Arts Fund, said, “Wisconsin has developed some of the nation’s leading cultural institutions that are truly transforming the communities where they exist – places like Racine, Eau Claire, Appleton, Madison and Milwaukee.

Reynolds noted that the investment in this sector builds on the momentum of all the other investments the state is making to grow the economy and their workforce.Īnne Katz, executive director of Create Wisconsin, highlighted the need for greater creative sector investment to spur new economic activity, stating “The creative sector is a jobs generator, contributing $10.8 billion to Wisconsin’s economy annually and supporting nearly 90,000 workers, yet the state ranks last nationally in per capita funding for the arts and culture, according to the U.S. Kim Reynolds (R) announced a $100m investment to bolster economic development, strengthen the quality of life in their communities, and attract new visitors and residents to the state through a historic investment called “Destination Iowa.” In promoting this investment, Gov. To change their status and set a new trajectory, Iowa Gov. Iowa, like Wisconsin, sits near the bottom, ranking 47 th in the nation. Since that time, Wisconsin has fallen – ranking 50 th nationally in per capita arts funding and lagging significantly behind our Midwest neighbors. However, a funding mechanism was never identified for the foundation. Scott McCallum that created the Wisconsin Artistic Endowment Foundation.

A bipartisan legislative council study committee recommended legislation that was included in the state budget and signed into law by Gov. In 2001, Wisconsin was ahead of the curve in identifying the economic and growth potential the state’s creative sector has on the overall vitality of the state. Visit to learn more and view the growing list of statewide support. Comprised of leading arts, cultural, and creative organizations and leaders statewide, the coalition will advocate the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance for one-time, generational funding for the state’s arts and creative industries.Ĭoalition leaders are calling on lawmakers to finish the work a bipartisan legislature and Republican governor started over 20 years ago and fund the Wisconsin Artistic Endowment Foundation with $100 million of one-time funding in the biennial state budget, to further boost economic development and growth across the state. – Arts organizations and creative businesses from across Wisconsin have joined forces to form Wisconsin’s Creative Economy Coalition, an organization aimed at outlining the power of the creative sector as a vehicle to fuel Wisconsin’s growth.

Bookworm gardens sheboygan