About the Fort Arts Council

The Fort Atkinson Arts Council, a 501 C (3) non-profit organization, is committed to Fort Atkinson's local community by supporting all art forms including visual arts, theater arts, music, writing, film, photography, sculpture, ceramics, and multi-disciplinary art.  Founded in 1983, the council has been in a quiet mode for a few years, but kicked off it's newly revived commitment in 2008 by co-hosting the 1st Annual Winter Arts & Farmers Market at the VyMaC Creamery Building this past December. Other 2009 projects included: seasonal Downtown Gallery Walks (March & November) or Market Arts Walks (summer/winter), Emerging Theater Mini-Grant Program, partnership with the Friends of Lorine Niedecker supporting the 1st Wisconsin Poetry Festival, partnership with the Fort Farmers Market with Arts Saturdays, partnership with the Wisconsin Arts Board Jefferson County arts network, and general assessment of arts and artists in the Fort Atkinson area.

The Fort Arts Council activities are determined by the organizationa by-laws. It is a volunteer orginization with a managing board of directors, officers, and voting members. The Fort Arts Council holds an annual meeting every March to vote on officers.

The council is currently supported by our volunteers and financially by our membership dues, generous donations by individuals & businesses, fundraising activities and grants. The Fort Arts Council is a member of the Fort Atkinson Chamber of Commerce whose Tourism Department has generously supported many recent events. The Fort Atkinson Arts Council would particularly like to thank ACT I Theater group for their generous donation to start our Emerging Theater MiniGrant program and The Fort Community Foundation for matching that donation and supporting numerous projects in 2008 & 2009.

Karen Goeschko, Deputy Director of the Wisconsin Arts Board, has been assisting the revitlization process by bringing her community arts development experience. “The Arts Board has long recognized the vital role that local arts councils play in healthy communities,” observed Goeschko.  “It’s a delight and a privilege to help the Fort Atkinson Arts Council renew its relationship with its community and determine how best to serve the Fort Atkinson area.   The conversation couldn’t come at a better time – the arts are making a remarkable impact in Jefferson County these days.”

ART IN WISCONSIN

Wisconsin participated in a national economic development study focusing on the arts. Research found that Wisconsin’s nonprofit arts industry generates 15,103 full time jobs and $61,840,400 in state and local government revenue. “Across Wisconsin, the arts and culture industry does mean business,” Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton said. “Investment in the arts is just that—an investment in organizations that generate revenue and employ thousands, and an investment in the vitality of a community. Investment in the arts is capital ventured to intensify an area’s magnetic pull for new economic opportunity.”