Talking Points: New Economy Funding Initiative
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Arts
Wisconsin urges everyone who cares about Wisconsin's future to support
the Wisconsin Arts Board’s New
Economy Funding Initiative – an investment of $1 per capita for
the Arts Board, the state agency dedicated to culture, creativity, commerce
and community.
Here are talking points to help you make the case for increased state investment in the arts and arts education:
- The New Economy Funding Initiiative's purpose is to secure $1 per capita in state arts funding through the Wisconsin Arts Board-an increase of 56 cents from the current 44 cents per capita. Current state support for the Arts Board is $2.4 million. Calculated using current population figures, this would result in an addition $3.1 million, for a total of approximately $5.5. million
- Click here for the New Economy Funding Initiative's three funding components.
- No staff would be added at the Arts Board with the increased funding. All additional funding would be distributed around the state via grants to individuals and organizations.
- Evidence demonstrates that Wisconsin's citizens deeply value the work of the state's artists and arts organizations. The growth in the number of arts organizations and diverse arts experiences available statewide is impresive. The private sector has responded by investing over three-quarters of a billion dollars in building new arts facilities and renovating and remodeling existing facilities. Unfortunately, public sector funding has not kept up with the increase in arts activity.
- Wisconsin currentlyranks 43rd out of the 50 states for state investment in the arts sector, appropriating 44 cents per person to be granted through the Wisconsin Arts Board. By comparison, Minnesota spends more than 4 times that amount - $1.97 per person - and Illinois spends nearly double that amount, at 83 cents per person. Only Iowa trails us in the nine state Upper Midwest region, at 42 cents per person. These figures represent lost opportunities for economic growth in Wisconsin.
- Wisconsin's Creative Industries are the high-octane fuel that drives the "information economy," the fast growing segment of the nation's economy. As of January 2008, Wisconsin is home to 9,755 arts-related businesses that employ 45,386 people. These arts-centric businesses - ranging from nonprofit museums, symphonies, and theaters to for-profit film, architecture and advertising companie - play an important role in building and sustaining economic vibrancy. They employ people, spend money locally, generate government revenue, and are a cornerstone of tourism and economic development.