Rep. David Obey of Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District announced last week that he would retire in November, after having served 21 terms – 42 years – in the U.S. House of Representatives.  Rep. Obey is currently third in seniority

in the House and is Chair of the powerful House [...]

The Wisconsin State Legislature has ended its 2010 session as of Thursday, April 22 (with two all-nighters during the final week to finish up their business).  There are several work sessions scheduled for May, but the Legislature will next officially meet, with newly-elected and returning members, on January 3, 2011.

All [...]

True, effective advocacy is a daily activity, and it’s most effective when it comes from the local level and from the heart.  There’s never been a better time to speak up for the arts across Wisconsin. Here  are nine good reasons why YOU must speak up for your cause to see real change!

1.  [...]

I’ve been a guest blogger for Americans for the Arts’ “Private Sector” blog week, March 8-12 (www.blog.artsusa.org).  Below is my final post for the week.  Enjoy!
THE STORY IS ALL ABOUT THE ARTS AND COMMUNITY
One of the themes of the blog posts this week has been about “telling our stories” in ways that resonate with corporate [...]

Securing private funding for the arts and arts education is more competitive than ever given the ongoing recession. So, how do we make the case for supporting the arts and how do we maintain a vital relationship with the private sector in spite of the funding downturn? How do we define the relevance of the [...]

My colleague and friend Barry Hessenius, former director of both the California Arts Council and the California Assembly of Local Arts Agencies, now a blogger and consultant on arts policy issues, has posted five New Year’s resolutions that every nonprofit arts organization and arts endeavor should pledge to accomplish in 2010.  Barry is a practical [...]

At the end of the year, it’s my job (and my pleasure) as Executive Director of Arts Wisconsin, Wisconsin’s independent voice for the arts, to look back on the year in the arts across the state, and review and preview the exciting advocacy, service and development work we’ve done this year and are looking forward [...]

According to The Business Journal of Milwaukee, these arts and culture critics have taken the latest buyout proposed by the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: broadcast media columnist Tim Cuprisin, theater critic Damien Jaques, books editor Geeta Sharma-Jensen, education reporter Alan Borsuk, pop music writer Dave Tianen, and music/dance writer Tom Strini.
The Business Journal says, “Monday night was [...]

A recent New York Times article on Rocco Landesman, nominated to be Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts, noted the tumultuous years for the National Endowment for the Arts when the “national conversation” about the arts in our society focused more on defining art than on ensuring access to the arts for all [...]

Read all about it!  How’s this for a morale-booster – our country’s First Lady speaking up for the arts!  This kind of support is priceless.  The Obama administration – and the Obamas themselves – really “get it” about the importance of the arts.
First Lady:  Exposure to the arts is essential
San Francisco Chronicle
By JOCELYN NOVECK,
AP National [...]