In the past few days, the staff and board of Arts Wisconsin, talking with our very thoughtful constituents, have wrestled with some big questions as we’ve witnessed the dramatic events unfolding at the State Capitol and as we’re getting ready for Arts Day on Thursday, March 3:

Can Arts Day happen with all of the “activity” going on at the State Capitol and in Madison? Will anyone care about hearing from arts advocates? Maybe we should just lay low for now? What will we advocate for if the 2011-2013 budget isn’t introduced by March 3? Will anyone get to meet with their legislators? Will we even be able to get into the Capitol to our legislators’ offices? And what about parking, with all the protesters on the Square?

Well, to be honest, some of those questions – especially the logistical ones – can’t be answered
at the moment. Right now, the 2011-2013 budget is scheduled to be introduced by Gov. Walker on Tuesday, March 1, but as we’ve seen in the past few days, schedules can change on a moment’s notice. We aren’t
quite sure how many legislators will be around to meet with constituents, although we do know that aides will be available; we have heard rumors that the legislators’ offices may be closed to visitors depending on the level of protests going on. Parking may indeed be at a premium, depending on all sorts of things. Please be assured that Arts Wisconsin is paying close attention to those issues and will keep you posted with as many answers as possible as we move
towards March 3.

However, we CAN answer the bigger questions about whether the arts should be included in the discussions about Wisconsin’s future and whether Arts Day should happen next week. The answer is a resounding YES.  The voices of the arts need to be heard in the halls of power in Madison!

In
fact, it’s especially important that Arts Day happen next week, because of, the great debate going on right now in
Madison and beyond. If Arts Day didn’t happen, then the arts, culture and creativity would be missing from this very important conversation about Wisconsin’s future. And in a world where there are many issues at
stake and difficult choices must be made, Arts Day is an important
opportunity to make sure that our representatives and others know that
the arts, culture and creativity are “part of the solution” and integral
to Wisconsin’s future success.

Arts Day and ongoing advocacy efforts are not solely about “the arts.” This is not
about the perception that “arts funding” is only about funding arts organizations or arts programs, and that only a few people in the state would care about that issue. It’s not about the misperception that we”can’t afford the arts when times are tough.”

This is about creating a successful future for Wisconsin and all of its people by focusing on and investing in creativity,
innovation, imagination and entrepreneurship. It’s about helping decision-makers and the general public understand that the priorities of the arts are the priorities of the state – a vibrant local, regional and statewide economy, education for the 21st century, healthy communities, engaged and active citizenry.

People who care about Wisconsin’s future need to be at the Capitol telling our stories: about the importance of
arts education programs and educating our children for the 21st century world and workforce; about the role of the arts and creativity in smallbusiness development; about the arts as a way to bring people together
and understand each other; about entrepreneurship, creative economy, and
quality of life as integral components of community development strategies.

We won’t know specifically what’s going to happen with the 2011-2013 budget for the
Wisconsin Arts Board and other state agencies that currently fund or should/could fund arts programs (Commerce, Tourism, DPI, Workforce Development), making it even more important for the arts to be visible
right now. We know there are many supporters of state investment in the arts, arts education and creative economy in the administration and the Legislature, but, given the times and circumstances, anything is
possible. If the arts are not “at the table,” decision-makers will think they are expendable.

There is great value in coming together and speaking up for this cause. Arts Day is also the biggest networking and learning day for the arts in Wisconsin. There will be scintillating speakers, engaging performers, participatory art projects, educational workshops, and lots of interesting people to talk to.

So for all of those reasons.Arts Day is going to happen on Thursday, March 3, and it’s more important than ever for you to be at the Capitol that day to make sure that decision-makers know that the arts are “part of the solution” and a fundamental component of economic development, education and quality of life.

Click here to register today: http://artswisconsin.org/events/registrations/11_ArtsDay.cfm
Click here for general information on Arts Day: http://artswisconsin.org/events/artsday2011-2.cfm
Click here for the Arts Day schedule: http://artswisconsin.org/events/artsday2011-schedule.cfm
Arts Day sponsors – we appreciate their support: http://artswisconsin.org/events/artsday2011-2.cfm#sponsors