Create Wisconsin Advocacy Briefing 7-24-23
We're living through a time of great change and of all sorts of possibilities. Create Wisconsin's first year (plus), unfolding as the post-pandemic world comes into view, has made the most of discovery, connections, and opportunities as Wisconsin's community cultural development organization. This evolution continues to be all about the creative economy, workforce, civic infrastructure, and access to the arts and culture for all, growing our focus on from-the-ground-up service, advocacy, and development. Since our beginnings, this organization has always made every effort to stay ahead of the local and global trends, issues, and ideas affecting Wisconsin, its people, and its communities.
Our work is energized by the astounding creativity we see in every corner of the state - we do our work on your behalf. To do that, over the past year (and always), our fantastic board of directors and emerging Regional Leaders Network have been hard at work representing Create Wisconsin in their communities and making things happen regionally and statewide. It's a work in progress (as is pretty much everything these days) as we lift up the stories of creativity and transformation throughout Wisconsin.
Advocacy Briefing | July 2023
State Budget Update: The 2023-2025 budget signed by Gov. Evers in early July includes a $20 million one-time appropriation for the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, which will benefit the entire tourism industry, including cultural tourism, and, increases for the Wisconsin Arts Board: $407,200 GPR in 2023-24 to match federal grant awards through September 2024 and $259,100 in 2024-25 as an ongoing base increase for state aid for the arts.
Throughout the budget process, there was bipartisan support and good visibility for the power, benefit, and economic and civic value of the arts, culture, and creativity. This budget has made it easier for the Arts Board to support the nonprofit creative industry and has included the first new state investment in the arts and creative economy in several years. It’s a small step, but a great boost for the arts and creative economy statewide in general and for increased investment in Wisconsin’s creative sector.
Advocacy continues, more important than ever:
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. economic prosperity, talent incubation, attraction, and retention, and access to the arts and creativity for all. 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 relaunching its efforts to secure support for the sector, focusing on standalone legislation that boosts support and an accompanying public relations and advocacy campaign to make the case statewide. Make sure you are signed on as a member of the Coalition to get the latest information, news, and actions.
In addition, we want to share your stories! As we head into the next phase of the statewide effort to grow funding for the arts and creative sector, we're launching Coalition Stories, highlighting organizations, businesses, and creative leaders throughout Wisconsin with compelling stories that connects their work to the creative economy. Use this form to sign up yourself or recommend a peer who is willing to volunteer to have their story shared as we progress through the next phase of our effort. Unsure of where to start? We’re happy to talk with you to learn more, brainstorm story ideas, and draft your story for you to review.
We need your involvement, your stories, and your support. Join now at www.wisconsincreates.com. Contact Create Wisconsin - info@createwisconsin.org - with questions, comments, and ideas.
