Events

CREATIVE INDUSTRIES SUMMIT 2026 - ST. CROIX FALLS
(formerly Rural Arts Forum)
Wednesday, November 18 - 10:30am to 4pm followed by a Social Hour
HISTORIC AUDITORIUM | 210 North Washington Street, St. Croix Falls, WI

Hosted by ArtReach St. Croix and The Historic Auditorium
Statewide hosts: WEDC Office of Rural Prosperity and Create Wisconsin

You are invited: Join fellow arts and community leaders, elected officials, business owners, and civic-minded neighbors to share ideas, network, plan, and tackle the creative economy opportunities and challenges unique to the St. Croix River Valley. Register today!

Purpose

Bring together people in the St. Croix Valley who are involved in placemaking, community engagement, economic and workforce development

Discuss the role of the arts and creativity and integration in economic vitality, sense of place, workforce development, and civic infrastructure

Assess current creative assets - people, organizations, businesses, and communities - in the region.-

Plan for growth, stability, and development of the creative economy and industries in the St. Croix Valley and beyond.

Agenda Highlights

Local Stories: Showcasing local people, projects and initiatives, including a spotlight on public art, the region's growing film industry, infrastructure planning, and other topics.

Creativity Economy Impact on Economic and Civic Development: Spotlighting area employers and initiatives as investments in local community development.

Tools, Tactics, Resources, and Strategies

Planning Discussions on creative industries and sector development and sustainability, locally and statewide

After-Summit Happy Hour to relax and recharge, at Pepper's Lounge in the Historic Auditorium.

This meeting, part of a statewide series of planning and action meetings in 2026-2027, will highlight collaborations, policies, and programs to keep moving Western Wisconsin forward as a creative place to live, work and play. The Summit is the touchpoint for an ongoing, collaborative place-making, place-keeping, and place-knowing process involving everyone who cares about the future of the region, including creative workers and businesses, community and business leaders, organizations and partners, educators, and elected officials and civic leaders.

Registration is complimentary, but please sign up so we know how many people to expect. Share this invite with your colleagues in the region's arts, business, development, education, government and political worlds.

All are welcome!