Creative Economy Coalition campaigns for greater state funding for the arts  

WisBusiness reports that Wisconsin’s Creative Economy Coalition officially launched its campaign yesterday to secure greater state support of the arts. Wisconsin is projected to have a state budget surplus of $7.1 billion by July.  

U.S. Department of Commerce figures have shown Wisconsin ranks last among U.S. states for per-capita funding for culture and the arts. Current economic contributions from the state’s creative sector, which supports 90,000 workers, are valued at $10.8 billion. 

The coalition is requesting $100 million in one-time funding in the coming biennial state budget for the Wisconsin Artistic Endowment Foundation as well as $552,500 for the Wisconsin Arts Board. Interest from funds for the foundation would support the arts statewide through both groups, and dollars for the arts board would help meet state funding requirements for its National Endowment for the Arts grant in the coming years. 

The coalition also wants the budget to include a Rural Creative Economy Development Grant Program.