2008 Legislative Candidate Survey on the Arts: the questions
Click here for candidate responses to the survey.
1. Wisconsin’s arts and cultural organizations add energy to the economy, enhance education for all Wisconsin students, provide access to the arts and support quality of life in every corner of the state. Wisconsin’s arts industry encompasses over 8,800 businesses and supports over 43,500 jobs; the nonprofit arts sector alone provides an economic impact of $418 million. Most people in Wisconsin participate in the arts in some way in their daily lives.
QUESTION: What arts activities have you attended, participated in, or supported in the last year?
2. Fostering relationships between the arts and economic development is not only possible but necessary in the 21st century world. Changes in Wisconsin's and the U.S. economy have put arts and culture at the forefront of the characteristics that distinguish place. Cities, communities and economic development agencies need to take account of these advantages as they revise regional economic strategies and design and implement development programs. The arts in Wisconsin generate jobs, create economic stimulus, attract businesses, improve education, drive tourism, and enhance our quality of life. Our vibrant arts community makes us a strong recruiting draw in a tough economy and sets us apart from other states. Although there are many challenges facing the arts in Wisconsin, there is growing understanding among public and private agencies and decision-makers that involvement and investment in the creative economy is essential to Wisconsin’s future. Now is the time to invest in the arts in Wisconsin to help Wisconsin lead in the 21st century economy.
QUESTION: What do you see as the potential for artistic, creative and cultural community development in your district and in Wisconsin, and how would you encourage that development?
3. In the past fifteen years - during which time Wisconsin communities large and small have achieved exciting economic and downtown revitalization programs based on arts centers and programs; when global research has proven that arts education prepares students for the 21st century workforce; and when interest and participation in the arts by Wisconsin citizens has increased dramatically - the state of Wisconsin has decreased its investment in the arts and arts education. The Wisconsin Arts Board, the state agency dedicated to the arts, has not received a program budget increase since 1992. The Wisconsin Arts Board's New Economy Funding Initiative is a bold new vision for Wisconsin that calls for pro-active state investment in the state's cultural assets.
QUESTION: Would you support the New Economy Funding Initiative as an increased investment in the Wisconsin Arts Board and recognition of the critical role the arts, culture, creativity and innovation play in our state’s economy, educational systems, and quality of life?
4. Global research shows that students with high levels of arts participation outperform other students on virtually every measure from standardized tests to community participation, and that learning through the arts has a significant effect on learning in other areas, particularly in the early years.
QUESTION: How important are the arts to the overall education of all
Wisconsin students?
5. Knowledge and creativity add up to a workforce with a competitive edge
in a global economy. In that equation, knowledge represents what we can
know; creativity helps us manage the unknown. Arts education develops
that creative capacity inherent in everyone; it is the single discipline
that specifically teaches the skills needed to drive creative thought
toward innovative action. We know that Wisconsin needs more workers proficient
in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) studies; to capitalize
on their expertise, we must add the arts for STEAM in Wisconsin.
QUESTION: Would you support policies and funding to increase the availability and integration of arts programs in Wisconsin’s schools?