CELEBRATE CREATIVE ECONOMY WEEK THROUGHOUT WISCONSIN | MAY 9-16, 2020
Arts Wisconsin and the League of Wisconsin Municipalities are partnering to celebrate the fifth annual Creative Economy Week, May 9-16, 2020, a week-long celebration of the power, impact and benefits of the arts, creativity and culture in Wisconsin and all of its communities.
In the age of coronavirus, celebrating Wisconsin’s creativity is more important than ever. Creativity is essential in and for Wisconsin, in good times and bad. In fact, creativity and imagination are what’s needed right now to help people and communities make it through in the face of uncertainty and challenges. The state’s collective, abundant creative energy and spirit must continue to inspire us, challenge us, bring us together, and move us forward.
A vibrant creative economy has existed in every corner of the state. According to data released in March 2020 by the US Department of Commerce and the National Endowment for the Arts, the creative sector is a vital component of the US economy. To sum up the most recent numbers for Wisconsin:
- $10.1 billion in value-added to the state’s economy through the arts
- 96,651 jobs in the arts – more than the state’s beer, papermaking and biotech industries
- $5.8 billion arts worker compensation
- 3.1% arts’ value-added as a share of state’s economy.
Creative Economy Week showcases and explores artistic and creative endeavors and processes throughout Wisconsin, whatever the circumstances. Right now, while public health guidelines have changed civic participation, engagement in the arts online is growing by leaps and bounds. For example, in Eau Claire, a coalition of community members, including representatives from the Eau Claire Public Arts Council, City of Eau Claire Economic Development, Downtown Eau Claire Inc., and members of Eau Claire’s creative economy are commemorating Creative Economy Week in a variety of online formats. More info at www.visiteauclaire.com/artfull-eau-claire/.
During Creative Economy Week, Arts Wisconsin is promoting its 7 Days of Support campaign to help Wisconsin’s creative sector remain strong to move through the pandemic and beyond.
We’ll also share info about the ongoing shutdown efforts, which have a profound impact on creative businesses and workers, as is the case with all business sectors. According to research from Americans for the Arts, cancellations and closings are taking place at thousands of arts organizations across the country, two-thirds of the nation’s artists are now unemployed, and 12,000 organizations doubt they’ll survive the crisis.
The (negative) economic impact of the pandemic (so far) is $4.98 billion nationally, $18.6 million throughout Wisconsin. Click here for the latest research on the pandemic’s impact.
In this time of uncertainty, it is critical to recognize the economic and societal contributions of the creative sector locally and beyond, and the creative instinct that is inherent in every person and can’t be stifled no matter how difficult the circumstances.
The role and impact of creativity in our lives and our communities has never been more important. Creativity is key to recovery, re-emergence, and revitalization, and investment in that creativity is an investment in the future.
Go to www.artswisconsin.org/actioncenter/creative-economy-week/ to learn more about Creative Economy Week, Wisconsin’s resilient creative sector, and creative economy development in Wisconsin.
Ways to celebrate:
- Click here for Ten Ways to Celebrate Creative Economy Week
- Gather together arts activities and programs in your community during Creative Economy Week. You don’t have to create new programs…just “bundle” together what’s already going on to promote on social media. Whatever you do for Creative Economy
Week is part of the celebration. Get in touch with Arts Wisconsin at info@artswisconsin.org if you want to brainstorm about ideas and opportunities.
Here’s how we celebrated previous Creative Economy Weeks:
- In 2019, Creative Economy Week happened in conjunction with Wisconsin Museums Week, May 11-18, Milwaukee Museum Mile Day on Sunday, March 12, and International Museums Day 2019, Armed Forces Day, and Wisconsin’s annual Downtown Open House on Saturday, May 18.
- Milwaukee Public Library celebrates Creative Economy Week
- Milwaukee Museum Mile Day – on Sunday, May 12, #MMMDay is a great way to spend Mother’s Day exploring five unique museums on Milwaukee’s historic East Side for free/reduced admission.
- Editorial: Creative Economy Week, Neil Heinen and WISC-TV, Madison, 5-14-19
- The City of Middleton Arts Committee hosted a free, one day Art Walk featuring the works of 28 fine artists in a variety of media at 15 locations, on Saturday, May 18. Click here for more info.
- Eau Claire celebrated Creative Economy Week with “ArtFull Eau Claire” and events and activities going on all week! Click here for more info.
- 2019 – spotlight on performing arts centers throughout the state.
- One big statewide proclamation signed by cities and villages across Wisconsin – thanks for the support to our local officials and civic leaders!
Press press coverage, magazine articles, social media – Creative Economy Weeks 2019 and 2018:
- Editorial: Arts in Wisconsin on Creative Economy Week, Neil Heinen, WISC-TV, 5-14-19
- Wisconsin Public Radio “Central Time” interview with Anne Katz and the value and benefits of museums in communities and throughout the state, 5-16-19
- The Wheeler Report’s LocalGovMatters podcast on #CreativeEconomyWeek 2019, civic engagement through the arts and innovative creative economy initiatives throughout the state, 5-20-19
- The Local Perspective from the League of Wisconsin Municipalities: Waupaca’s creative economy and cultural plan
produced by Oshkosh Media, 5-18-18 - Wisconsin Economy: More Creative All the Time, Fresh Take with Josh Dukelow, WHBY, 5-17-1
- Facebook Live interview with Paula Vandehay, City of Appleton Director of Public Works, and Jennifer Stephany, Director, Appleton Downtown, and Gail Sumi of the League and Anne Katz of Arts Wisconsin, 5-17-18
- Facebook Live interview with Joe Ferlo, Director, Grand Opera House, and Oshkosh Mayor Steve Cummings (and his grandson Oliver), 5-17-1
- A growing arts economy highlights Creative Economy Week
WXPR, 5-16-18- Research connects thriving arts community with innovative businesses in rural areas
WPR, 5-17-18 - Baraboo graces cover of statewide magazine
Portage Daily Register, 5-14-18 - Creative Economy Week events, Eau Claire
Leader-Telegram, 5-13-18 - Creating a Vibrant Economy: Creative Economy Week kicks off in Eau Claire
Volume One, 5-2-18
- Research connects thriving arts community with innovative businesses in rural areas
Information, action planning, and research on the creative economy
- Click here for resources, information, data and research about the creative economy in Wisconsin and beyond.
- Click here for specific ideas on civic engagement through the arts, or, how to answer the question, “what can our community do to grow its creative economy?”
- Defining the “creative economy” is an evolving process, but the simplest way is to describe it is the intersection of the creative workforce, creative industries and creative communities. Click here for definitions of the creative economy from around the world. What can you and communities actually DO to grow the creative economy, enhance quality of life, educate our kids, and keep our communities vibrant?”
- Click here for some great infographics and data from the National Endowment for the Arts on arts participation, civic engagement throughout the arts, and the economic value of the arts.
Highlights of Creative Economy Week 2017:
- Murals, murals, murals! The theme was murals, and we showed off public art in Wisconsin cities and villages throughout Wisconsin. Check out the Facebook photo album and Instagram account.
- And, proclamations! Click here for city and village proclamations from across the state.
- Creative Economy Week focus of this week in Wisconsin
WXPR, 5-9-17 - Eau Claire celebrates Creative Economy Week with various events
WQOW, 5-15-17 -
City of Eau Claire kicks off Creative Economy Week
WEAU, 5-15-17 - City appreciates efforts of creative people
Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, 5-14-17
Highlights of Creative Economy Week 2016:
- Communities throughout the state proclaimed Creative Economy Week for their cities, villages and towns. Click here for Creative Economy Week proclamations and resolutions.
- We asked Wisconsin’s Poet Laureate, Kimberly Blaeser, and other poets from across the state, to share their poetry about community and communities. Read the poetry here.
- Anne Katz of Arts Wisconsin and Gail Sumi of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities spoke about Creative Economy Week on Wisconsin Public Radio’s “Central Time” on April 26. Listen here!
- Arts Wisconsin’s social media platforms – Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – highlighted the impact of the creative economy movement and the success it has had across the state and across the nation.
- Here were ten ways to celebrate Creative Economy Week!
Whether it be in community cultural development, arts education, or tourism, the arts and creativity play a role in in the lives of everyone, everywhere in Wisconsin. Celebrate!