What kind of future is in store for Wisconsin? If there ever was a time that we needed the
arts, it’s now. Now, more than ever, investment in the arts, arts education and creative
economy is not separate from the overall priorities of the state—it’s vital to the overall
health and well-being of the people of Wisconsin and all of the state’s communities.
Wisconsin must expand its horizons beyond the state’s historic economy to target talent,
increase high paying job creation and retention, and provide the public and private
leadership necessary to insure the resources for a sustainable 21st century economy. The shift from a
traditional commodity-based, mass production economy to a knowledge-based, creative economy demands
strategic focus on productivity, innovation and entrepreneurship.
What’s needed for Wisconsin to lead in the 21st century are coordinated statewide policies and strategies
using the arts and creativity to compete in the global economy and advance the state’s priorities. Those
priorities are to incubate, attract and retain business, revitalize the economy, sustain good-paying jobs,
provide a quality education for all students that prepares them for the 21st century workforce, enhance
quality of life, and keep communities livable. The Council on Competitiveness recognized the importance of
back in 2005: “from an economic development perspective, many communities are still pursuing the old,
incentive-based strategies. These don’t work in a world in which firm success depends ever more on the
quality of ideas and talent, and ever less on traditional infrastructure.”
This 21st century infrastructure includes a healthy arts and culture industry which animates community
development on all levels. Our creative economy assets are significant and cover the state.
Creativity. Innovation. Entrepreneurship. That’s what Wisconsin needs, and that’s what the arts provide.
These are the qualities that will move our state and our nation out of the economic downturn and forward, to:
• revive and stimulate the economy locally and statewide
• create locally-based, sustainable jobs
• educate our children for the 21st century workforce
• enliven our communities large and small and bring diverse communities together
• enhance and strengthen Wisconsin’s competitive edge and international reputation.
To achieve these goals, Wisconsin’s decision-makers and citizens should:
• Invest in Wisconsin’s economic development and community revitalization by using the state’s diverse
artistic, cultural, historical and creative resources.
• Assist in the creation and retention of high-paying jobs based in the creative economy.
• Support a consistently high-quality educational system that uses creativity in the acquisition of local and
global knowledge and understanding, and prepares students for the 21st century world and workforce.
• Strengthen the artistic and cultural infrastructure statewide, for vibrant, livable communities everywhere.
Now is the time to pro-actively plan to support creativity throughout Wisconsin, and use the state’s abundant
arts, culture, and creative assets as essential tools for local, regional and statewide economic, educational, and
civic vitality.
To learn more, contact Arts Wisconsin
608 255 8316 |
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| www.artswisconsin.org