Making the Case for the Arts in Wisconsin
The arts are authentic
The arts ARE economic development
The arts and economic impact
Cultural building boom
The arts and tourism
The arts and corporate relocation
The arts and education
The arts and families
The arts and neighborhoods
The arts are cost effective
Negative forces affecting the arts in Wisconsin
More about the arts and economic development
Links to additional advocacy resources
"In terms of American democracy, the arts are for everyone.
They are not reserved for the wealthy or for the well-endowed museum,
or for the subsidized theater. As America emerges into a different understanding
of her strength, it becomes clear that her strength is in the people,
and that it lies in the places where people live. The people, if shown
the
way, can create art in and of themselves...
opportunities must exist in places they have never existed before.”
~ Robert Gard, UW-Madison professor, poet, writer, community developer,
1910-1992
The arts are authentic
The economic, educational, political, social and cultural pressures on
Wisconsin are intense. Traditional ways are making room for the new in
the state’s cities, small towns and rural areas, as communities
wrestle with the fragile balance between the past and the future.
Wisconsin's communities are quietly remaking themselves as vibrant places to live, work and play. In the past thirty years, arts programs, projects and facilities have exploded beyond the limits of the metropolitan and suburban areas of Wisconsin to become a statewide cause for pride. Wisconsin’s cities, suburbs, small towns and rural arts are seeing a surge in the numbers of new and revitalized arts organizations, renovated arts facilities, and other artistic endeavors, to make their communities economic, educational and tourism draws.
Wisconsin has a proud heritage of grassroots arts involvement since its early days as a state, thanks in large part to the ways in which the Wisconsin Idea connected civic involvement, public education, access to the newest ideas and fulfillment of creative potential for all of its citizens.
The UW-Extension’s Office of Community Arts Development, led by Robert Gard, professor, folklorist, and author, laid a lot of groundwork in the middle part of the last century. The first artist-in-residence programs in the country were established by the University of Wisconsin, bringing renowned artists such as John Steuart Curry and Aaron Bohrod here to inspire – and to gain inspiration – from the people of the state. Bob Gard, known to the arts world as the “father of community development,” had a mission to help rural people find ways to express themselves, and tirelessly traveled the state to make this vision come alive. Gard and others involved in civic affairs believed that the arts played a integral role in making a community whole, and urged arts groups to work with athletic groups like football teams, churches, ethnic organizations, day care centers, senior centers, and others, in the service of this healthy whole community.
That philosophy continues – and has been strengthened – in the present day. Although the arts have always been close to the hearts of the people of Wisconsin, the vital economic, educational and social roles that the arts play in our lives have begun to be validated by the community at large as people seek authenticity in every aspect of their lives.
The arts ARE
economic development
In his 2002 book, The Rise
of the Creative Class, Dr. Richard Florida of Carnegie-Mellon
University writes that creativity and innovation will be the fundamental
skills needed for success and growth as our country moves towards a "creative
economy," and that the presence of arts and cultural opportunities
make a community more attractive to an educated and creative workforce.
Dr. Florida says, "in the new economy, the quality of a region's
lifestyle has as much to do with its success as its business cost structure,
taxes or physical location. Places that succeed in attracting and retaining
creative people prosper; those that fail don't. "
Tom Still, President of the Wisconsin Technology Council, says, " Wisconsin's economy has been shaped and reshaped over the years by citizens who adapted quickly to changing times, from the advent of modern farming techniques in the late 19th century to the industrial boom of the 20th century. We now stand as just such an economic crossroads in the history of the state. To build a 21st century economy anchored by technological innovation, Wisconsin must make the most of its people, resources and opportunities, and it must meet the challenges posed by the rise of the 'knowledge economy.'"
Wisconsin is beginning to use creativity and the arts to help resolve its budget problems, attract and retain business, grow the economy, and stop the "brain drain" of young people leaving our communities for better opportunities.
Investment in cultural programs and opportunities can no longer be considered a separate priority, but should be considered vital to the overall health and well-being of the people of Wisconsin.
The arts have a growing
and positive impact on Wisconsin's economy
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.
Americans for the Arts’ Creative Industries Report, an annual research initiative, uses Dun and Bradstreet data to document the number of arts-related businesses and employees in any geographical region or political jurisdiction. The latest report, from January 2005, shows that Wisconsin has nearly 9,000 creative industry businesses, supporting over 44,000 jobs. Learn more about Wisconsin's Creative Industries and the national rankings.
In addition, ten Wisconsin communities, and the entire state of Wisconsin, were included in Americans for the Arts' 2002 survey "Arts & Economic Prosperity: The Economic Impact of Nonprofit Arts Organizations and Their Audiences."
The arts have a $289 million + impact annually in Wisconsin. The survey showed that the state's nonprofit arts industry generates $289.8 million in economic activity every year, including $38 million in local and state tax revenues. The $289.8 million total includes $190.5 million in spending by arts organizations and $99.3 million in event-related spending by arts audiences (excluding ticket revenue). In addition, Wisconsin's nonprofit arts industry supports nearly 9,500 full-time equivalent jobs.
The ten Wisconsin communities studied as part of the survey were Beloit, Chippewa Valley, Door County, Fox Valley, Green Bay, Janesville, Madison, Milwaukee, Waukesha, and Wausau.
It pays to note that the previous economic impact survey of the arts in Wisconsin, released in April 1996, recognized the state's nonprofit arts organizations' $112.9 million in expenditures which supported over 5,506 full-time jobs in the state.
There's an arts
building boom in Wisconsin
In addition to the increase in programming by already-established organizations,
nearly 100 Wisconsin communities have recently completed or are currently
in the midst of exciting arts facility projects, which represent over
$500 million in private investment and demonstrate state citizens' support
for the arts in small cities, towns, and rural areas.
These include Madison’s Overture Center, Wausau’s ArtsBlock, the Milwaukee Art Museum’s Calatrava addition, Solon Springs’ Lucius Woods Performing Arts Center, Green Bay’s Meyer Theatre, Osceola’s St. Croix ArtBarn, Beloit’s downtown Fine Arts Incubator, Chippewa Falls’ Heyde Center for the Arts, Sauk City/Prairie du Sac’s River Arts Center; and Sturgeon Bay’s Third Avenue Playhouse.
Many of these are located in the state’s small towns and rural areas; over half are attached to school buildings, making them comprehensive cultural centers used by the entire community.
The arts promote tourism
Cultural tourism, an expanding focus of Wisconsin’s second-largest
industry, is playing a major role in the growth of the arts on the rural
landscape. In a January 2001 national survey, the Travel Industry Association
of America asked a series of questions to determine the length of time
that travelers extend their trips because of cultural activities or events.
This study underscores the importance of arts, culture and heritage as
an effective product for tourism professionals to market their communities
both domestically and internationally. Sixty-five percent of U.S. adult
travelers (92.7 million) included a cultural, arts, heritage or historic
activity while on a trip of 50 miles or more, one-way, during the past
year. Visiting a historic site such as a historic community or building
was the most popular activity among travelers, followed by visiting a
museum, seeing live theater and visiting an art gallery. Of the 92.7 million
who included a cultural activity while on a trip during the past year,
32 percent added extra time to their trip because of the cultural activity
or event up from 29 percent in 1998.
The Fall Art Tour in southwestern Wisconsin (Baraboo, Spring Green, Dodgeville and Mineral Point) and the Dunn County Artists Tour in northwestern Wisconsin (Menomonie, Colfax, and Downsville) are two excellent examples of successful tourism endeavors that use the arts as an economic development advantage. These events were begun by area artists who decided to take their destinies into their own hands, wanting to make their living as artists in their own communities and knowing that people hunger for that personal connection between artist and art devotee.
The arts are a prime
consideration in corporate relocation
Business, political and education leaders see a link between a quality
arts environment and a growing, thriving economy. Wisconsin cities, competing
for business investment and most livable awards, promote their arts along
with their natural resources. A national survey conducted by the Conference
Board, an organization of top corporate officials that tracks economic
trends, found the availability of cultural activities ranked third among
the concerns of large businesses. John Naisbitt, author of Megatrends
and Megatrends 2000, says a vibrant arts community is critical when corporations
decide where to locate and when people decide where to work.
Roundys and Rockwell International have relocated to Milwaukee, in part due to its arts scene. Amery, a town of 3,000 in northwest Wisconsin, attracted a Mayo Clinic-affiliated medical center due in part to the presence in the community of the nationally-acclaimed Northern Lakes Center for the Arts.
The arts are basic to
education
Learning in the arts helps young people achieve high academic expectations
and contributes to their positive social development. Studies have shown
dramatic results in learning, both in the arts and in other academic and
social areas, when students have had long-term exposure to arts-integrated
curricula or arts-infused programs outside their schools. An analysis
of the U.S. Department of Education's database of 25,000 students revealed
that those students with high levels of arts participation outperform
"arts-poor" students by virtually every measure. Similarly,
comparisons of student achievement in 14 high-poverty schools in Chicago
showed that the students in schools with arts-integrated curricula advanced
along many dimensions more quickly than did those in "arts-poor"
schools.
Children who receive arts-integrated education develop quick minds, discipline, focus, judgment, personal drive, experience in teamwork, attention to detail, grasp of the "big picture," and an essential urge to continue learning. In addition to strengthening young people's capacity to learn, engagement in the arts allows young people to have positive outlets for their boundless energy and imagination. By cultivating their joy, talent and voices, Wisconsin's young people are better prepared to assume their roles as productive and creative citizens.
The arts build families
and communities
Arts activities help family members share positive experiences, discover
new talents and ideas, and grow together. They help cultural groups explore
and build on their heritage and share that heritage with others. They
encourage the expression, refinement and exchange of ideas and strengthen
emocracy. The arts are a basic component of vital communities.
The arts revitalize
neighborhoods & encourage new investment
Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward, Madison's Schenks-Atwood neighborhood,
and Green Bay’s Broadway District are just a few examples of neighborhoods
brought back to life by nonprofit galleries and performance spaces. The
arts draw restaurants, retailers and new residents, stabilizing neighborhoods
while creating jobs and tourist destinations.
The arts are cost
effective
One tenth of one percent of Wisconsin's state budget is allocated for
the arts. In fact, it costs less to fund the arts throughout the state
of Wisconsin than it costs to build 30 miles of highway. A little arts
funding goes a long way because the arts, as an industry, deliver tremendous
impact from a comparatively small investment. Government funds typically
are matched from $1 to $10 with corporate, foundation and other community
funds. When public funding is cut, there is a decrease in private support.
Negative forces affecting the arts in Wisconsin
A truly healthy arts environment needs equal support and commitment
from the private sector, government, and individuals to thrive. Ways
must be found to ensure that the arts across Wisconsin do not fail for
lack of support from the public and private sectors. These are the negative
forces currently facing the arts in Wisconsin:
Wisconsin's arts organizations are more artistically creative and more
organizationally mature and fiscally responsible than ever, but are becoming
victims of their own success. Our state's thriving arts environment
means that the number of applications for Arts Board funding continues
to increase. However, as the funding available remains stagnant, the amount
of money awarded and the number of community-based programs and projects
funded are decreasing. This leads to organizations cutting back on the
number and scope of their programming. The end result is fewer cultural
opportunities for Wisconsin residents.
Wisconsin ranks low in per-capita funding of the arts. Wisconsin is a follower, however, when it comes to per-capita funding for the arts. State arts agencies are an excellent investment for state government, providing services to a broad constituent base while accounting for an average of only .087 percent of states' general funds nationwide.
Wisconsin's GPR funding of the arts has declined signficantly in the past ten years. The Wisconsin Arts Board supports access to the arts for everyone in Wisconsin, and gives artists and the communities in which they live opportunities for growth and economic development. The Arts Board, in partnership with local governments, private business, and the nonprofit sector, provides the infrastructure of support for the arts which is critical to the economic vitality of local communities and to our state's cultural well-being. According to a recent survey by the Assembly, Arts Board grants make possible vital educational and community-based programs which broaden and increase access and availability of quality arts programs in a city, town, or rural area.
Over the past decade, the Wisconsin Arts Board's GPR (General Purpose Revenue, or tax dollars) funding has declined by more than 23 percent while the budgets of statewide projects recommended for funding by qualified review panels have tripled. The gap between the amount requested by applicants deemed eligible by peer panels and the amount of money available in FY 01 was $4 million. This number will get progressively worse, due to the success of Wisconsin's arts organizations, the arts facilities building and remodeling boom, inflation. In addition, the current state budget crisis (a $1.17 billion deficit) will surely further diminish an already-inadequate state arts budget.
Sales tax on tickets sold by arts organizations: Wisconsin's arts organizations pay 5% sales tax on tickets sold for live performances. Wisconsin is the only state in the Upper Midwest region requiring its arts organizations to pay sales tax. This tax burden has a ceiling effect on the amount that can be charged for a ticket and the dollars available for reinvestment in the organization's charitable mission, as well as the burden to track and report this information.
Keeping Wisconsin's arts infrastructure healthy. While the recent new and renovated facility development is extremely exciting, it highlights an urgent challenge to Wisconsin's communities in the 21st century: how to sustain the facilities once they are built, and how to fund and grow the cultural programming that serves the community. The private sector tends to enthusiastically fund bricks and mortar projects, and government plays a critical role by providing support for the artistic activities which will fill the buildings when open.
Arts organizations are facing cuts on the local level as well as the state level. The arts are facing a double punch in funding cuts: in addition to possible cuts in funding from the Wisconsin Arts Board, local arts organizations and cultural centers are facing possible cuts in funding from their towns, cities and counties, meaning a reduction in services to their constituents.