Arts Action Center | Arts Wisconsin

The times call for creative, pro-active, positive, and vigilant leadership. Use Arts Wisconsin’s Arts Action Center to stay informed and be involved.

Latest news in the age of COVID-19:

Advocacy Briefing: What’s in the new Federal Relief Bill?
Arts Wisconsin Director Anne Katz presented a review of the new Federal Pandemic Relief package including Federal Unemployment Assistance, a second round of Paycheck Protection Program loans, and the $15 Billion “Save Our Stages” grants for live performance venues, performing arts, movie theaters and museums, on 1-6-2021. Watch for more advocacy sessions during 2021. Click here for info about the briefing, and up to date info about the legislation,
Click here to take action to ask state and federal representatives to invest in creative businesses and people. The COVID crisis is devastating Wisconsin’s creative economy. Without continued and expanded federal relief, the sector’s immediate and long-term viability is in jeopardy. Now is the moment for everyone who cares about Wisconsin’s future to come together and demand action.
Information and Resources for the Creative Sector re COVID-19 – updated continuously

Talking points about the arts, arts education, and creative economy

Arts Wisconsin’s Legislative Action Center – sign up for easy online advocacy
Talking points about the power, benefit, value and impact of the arts
Facts and figures on the arts, arts education and creative economy in Wisconsin
Ten Reasons to Invest in Wisconsin’s Creative Sector
21st Century Wisconsin reports on exciting opportunities for growth and success throughout the state, produced by Arts Wisconsin and the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, 21st Century Wisconsin (PDF), 2018

Wisconsin arts issues

2020 Creative Policy Agenda – growing Wisconsin’s investment in the arts and creative economy
The Arts and the Creative Economy: Creativity for all in Wisconsin
State Arts Agency funding information from the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies
Create The Vote Wisconsin: a nonpartisan campaign to raise awareness and support for arts, culture, + creativity among voters and candidates in 2020

National arts issues – updated often

General advocacy information and inspiration

Advocacy in “Interesting” Times – blogpost by Anne Katz, Executive Director, Arts Wisconsin, January-February 2016
Resources from the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, February 2017
- Five Essential Arts Arguments summarizes key talking points that are especially timely in today’s policy environment.
- Fact vs. Fiction: Government Arts Funding debunks common myths regarding public support for the arts.
- You Can Shape Policy provides advocacy action recommendations along with useful advocacy dos and don’ts.
Six reasons why you should be an advocate for the arts, arts education and creative economy
Dos and Don’ts of advocacy
Everyday Advocacy for Nonprofits, from the National Council on Nonprofits
Sign up and be counted–get your Dun and Bradstreet number to be included in creative economy research!

Connecting with elected officials and decision-makers

Directories and Information

Connecting with candidates during election season

Organizing in your community