ABOUT INCREASED STATE INVESTMENT IN THE ARTS
FREE community meeting and luncheon, Wednesday, July 23, 12-1:30 pm Kenosha Public Museum, Daimler-Chrysler Hall.
AHA! (Arts and Humanities Alliance!) Kenosha is co-hosting a community meeting to discuss increased funding for the arts and arts education in the Kenosha/Racine region and across Wisconsin, on Wednesday, July 23, 12–1:30 pm, at the Kenosha Public Museum. Artists, arts organization leaders, elected officials, business people, educators and any other community members who care about Kenosha, Racine and Wisconsin’s future are invited to this informal catered lunch, networking opportunity and information-sharing meeting. Registration is required. Those interested in attending may register by contacting Tamara Merfeld – at tmerfeld@ahakenosha.org. The deadline is Wednesday, July 16, 2008. The event is sponsored by First Banking Center of Kenosha and the Kenosha Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Anne Katz, Executive Director of Arts Wisconsin, the state’s arts service, advocacy and development organization, will present information on the Wisconsin Arts Board’s New Economy Funding Initiative, a bold new vision to increase state investment in the arts, culture, creativity and innovation. Arts Wisconsin is leading the charge to urge Gov. Doyle and state legislators to support the Initiative. Involvement by arts and community leaders across Wisconsin is critically important to the success of these advocacy efforts. At the meeting on July 23, Kenosha and Racine leaders will learn more about the details of the Initiative and what they can do to speak up for the arts and arts education in the region. More information about Arts Wisconsin and the New Economy Funding Initiative can be found at www.artswisconsin.org/56cents.
The New Economy Funding Initiative calls for an investment of $1 per capita for the Arts Board, the state agency dedicated to culture, creativity, commerce and community, to give Wisconsin the competitive advantage it needs in the 21st century economy, by:
- Investing in regional economic development
- Creating new and exciting partnerships and job opportunities
- Educating the 21st century workforce
- Strengthening the artistic and cultural infrastructure statewide, for vibrant and livable communities in every corner of the state.
In 1992, the state of Wisconsin invested 59¢ per person in the Wisconsin Arts Board, ranking Wisconsin 30th in the nation for state arts agency funding. In 2008, Wisconsin ranks 43rd, at an allocation of only 44¢ per person. As a comparison, Minnesota provides $1.97 per person in state arts support, and Illinois provides 83¢ per person.
For more information or to register contact Tamara Merfeld at tmerfeld@ahakenosha.org
1 comment so far ↓
I encourage you to take this opportunity to welcome Anne Katz to Kenosha. For those of us who “get it,” but are not quite sure how to convey the ARTS message to business, government and the community, Anne is a down-to-earth, approachable arts leader…ready with tools, resources and direction. She is a phenomenal speaker, and a staunch advocate for the arts!
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