Create Wisconsin Advocacy Briefing 6-26-23
Wisconsin’s Creative Economy Coalition was formed this spring to promote Wisconsin’s arts and creative sector, making the connection between a vibrant arts scene and economic prosperity. The first phase in the effort surrounded the biennial budget process after Gov. Tony Evers proposed $100 million in funding for the Wisconsin Artistic Endowment in his budget. While that proposal was eliminated as a policy item from the process, the work continues.
The Coalition is now doubling down on securing support for the sector, including funding for the Endowment. This next phase iwill include standalone legislation that boosts support for the state’s arts and creative sector with an accompanying public relations and advocacy campaign to make the case publicly.
Why the Need for Wisconsin’s Creative Economy Coalition? The Sector at a Glance:
Wisconsin spends $0.14 per capita in funding for the arts and culture, ranking 50th nationally! The state lags significantly behind neighboring Minnesota, which ranks 3rd nationally at $7.34 per capita, and Illinois, which ranks 7th nationally at $5.04 per capita.
The share of Wisconsin’s GDP coming from arts and culture fell from a high of 4% in 2002 to just 2.9% in 2022, a rapid decline compared to the national average of 4.6% in 2002 to 4.4% in 2022.
Wisconsin’s creative sector supports nearly 90,000 jobs (more jobs than the state’s beer, biotech, and papermaking industries) and provides $10.8b in economic value, according to the US Department of Commerce.
Wisconsin’s creative sector growth has not kept pace with the rest of the nation. Since 2020, economic impact in the sector has grown just 8.44%, compared to a national increase of 14.43%. Wisconsin ranks 41st nationally in economic growth.
What the Coalition Has Done Thus Far: Strides have been made to get the word out about the Creative Economy Coalition, including,
Creating the coalition website, WisconsinCreates.com with a “take action” portal. This site will continue to serve as a main source of information and mobilization of supporters.
Generating over 700 messages to Joint Finance Committee members via the Take Action portal!
Positioning two coalition member organizations to be featured on UPFRONT, a statewide public affairs program hosted by WISN. Jason Jon Anderson of the Pablo Center at the Confluence in Eau Claire and Bruce Pepich of the Racine Art Museum sat down to discuss how Wisconsin’s arts and creative sector drive our state’s economy forward. Watch the video here.
Ways you and your organization/business can get involved: Our efforts can make a difference. We are continuing to find ways for transformative support for the creative sector. As we move forward, here’s how you can help!
Attend the All-Coalition Briefing on Monday, July 17, 10-11 am, live in Madison or virtually.
Continue to share your story. As we prepare for the next round of efforts to secure funding for the creative sector, we want to highlight organizations and leaders around the state who have a compelling story that connects their work to the creative economy.
Help grow the coalition statewide, by clicking “Join the Coalition” at WisconsinCreates.com. Let your peers, your circle of friends, and vendors and suppliers know about the Coalition so they can be in the know, too. As we move forward, we’ll communicate with this group of leaders to help secure the support we need to power the creative sector.
Identify champions. We are looking for leaders who are well-connected and influential who can speak to decision makers on our behalf. Who are the movers and shakers in your community?
Contact Create Wisconsin at info@createwisconsin.org to share your ideas and tips. Keep up to date on advocacy and action at www.wisconsincreates.com.
