New Economy Funding Initiative

The Change Wisconsin Needs

Arts Wisconsin urges everyone who cares about Wisconsin's future to take action and show support for the Wisconsin Arts Board’s New Economy Funding Initiative.

Campaign rationale and purpose
Campaign "targets"
Campaign "environment"
Campaign tools
Campaign timeline and action steps - what advocates should do to speak up for the New Economy Funding Initiative

Sign on to show your support today!

Campaign rationale and purpose

The New Economy Funding Initiative is a critical part of Wisconsin’s strategy to compete in the global, creative economy, designed to drive increased investment in a sector that pays great returns to the state. The Initiative presents a smart case for Wisconsin to raise its per-capita funding to $1 per person, lifting the state’s ranking in state funding for the arts to the middle of the states – a modest but vital increase.

This strategic investment will give Wisconsin the competitive advantage it needs in the 21st century economy, by:

Investing in regional economic development through the arts
Creating new and exciting partnerships and job opportunities and attracting and retaining innovative companies and entrepreneurs
Educating the 21st century workforce, through arts integration and involvement for all Wisconsin students
Strengthening the artistic and cultural infrastructure statewide, for vibrant and livable communities in every corner of the state.

In 1992, the state invested 59¢ per person in the Wisconsin Arts Board, ranking Wisconsin 30th in the nation for state arts agency funding. In 2010, Wisconsin ranks 43rd, at an allocation of only 44¢ per person (2007-2009 budget: $2,470,200). Just 56 cents more for the 2011-2013 state budget (approximate 2011-2013 budget: $5,600,000) will give Wisconsin the competitive advantage it needs in the 21st century economy.

The power of creativity and innovation is now in the hands of the people of Wisconsin, with the opportunity for Wisconsin to compete for the cream of the crop in new jobs is now here and to strengthen our ability to compete in the new global marketplace. Going hand-in-hand with this vibrant competitiveness is the real chance to strengthen an innovative state of education and create a live/work/ play environment that keeps our best and brightest right here at home.

With this strategic investment, Wisconsin can have a new kind of economy that sets the stage for new kinds of companies and businesses to start up right here and succeed right here.

The best thing about the New Economy Funding Initiative is that it can start to happen for the price of just half a cup of coffee. If we each invest just 56¢ more a year in the Wisconsin Arts Board, we will embolden the creative forces we need to compete and improve the quality of life for everyone, everywhere in Wisconsin.

Today, we invest only 44¢, so a $1 per capita investment in the arts, culture, creativity and innovation represents an important investment, an investment delivers a greater return than the hottest of stocks and companies. Improving Wisconsin’s economy is both an art and a science.

Campaign "targets"

Until November 2, Election Day: 2010 legislative candidates, to educate them about the importance of that investment
After November 2: New and returning legislators, to ask them to support that investment
Click here for campaign timeline and actions.

Campaign environment

Significant budget challenges for the state and for local governments, the state, and the nation overall
Time of anxiety locally, statewide and nationally because of the volatile and complicated economy
But, it's a time of great opportunity statewide and nationally!
- Lots of discussion with elected officials and state and local leaders about Wisconsin’s future:
  1. Economic diversity and vitality in the post-manufacturing era
  2. Educational enhancement, educating kids for the 21st century world
  3. Healthy, vibrant communities where people want to live, work and play
- This is part of a global focus on:
  1. Economic structure and diversity
  2. Educating our students for the 21st century world and workforce
  3. How to keep our communities healthy and vibrant
- Increasing understanding by political and business leaders that Wisconsin needs to figure out new ways of doing things
- More decision makers are joining the conversation here and are committed to making change happen

Campaign tools

Talking Points for action
Templates for letters to elected officials, board of directors resolutions, op-ed pieces
Sign on to show your support - supporters are listed on a Google map of the state
Magazine, Program and Playbill Ads
PowerPoint (.ppt file)
1-page handout (PDF)
More tools and resources to help you speak up for the New Economy Funding Initiative, and the arts, arts education and creative economy n in your community and statewide!

Campaign timeline and action steps- what advocates should do to speak up for the New Economy Funding Initiative!

Dates	Actions
Now through November 2 (general election)	Ask legislative candidates to respond to the 2010 Legislative Candidate Survey. Click here for information about contacting your legislative candidates and getting the survey to them. Educate candidates about what's happening in the arts and arts education in their districts. Send a packet of information or schedule a meeting. Click here for information about how to connect with candidates.
Now through mid-February 2011 (Gov. releases state budget mid-February)	*Contact the new governor to ask him to include the New Economy Funding Initiative* in the state budget. Click here for template letters, board resolutions, and op-ed pieces, to connect with decision-makers**.
Tuesday, November 2 (general election)	Vote for Governor, Lt. Governor, Congressional and legislative candidates.
November 3, 2010-beginning of January 2011	The 2011-2013 Legislature begins its work at the beginning of January. Contact new and returning legislators to congratulate them on their victory. Take the opportunity to let them know that you look forward to working with them and send information about your work and the arts in general. Click here for information about how to connect with candidates.
mid-February - June 30, 2011	Legislature works on 2011-2013 state budget, submits to Governor in time for June 30 completion.
March 3, 2011	Arts Day at the State Capitol - don't miss it!
June 30, 2011	Governor signs 2011-2013 state budget into law.

as of 10-6-2010 - to be updated on a regular basis

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