Arts Wisconsin: Arts Day 2009 — Support arts and arts education opportunities for everyone, everywhere in Wisconsin

Contact: Anne Katz, Arts Wisconsin

608 255 8316 akatz@artswisconsin.org

Wednesday, March 4, 2009, Monona Terrace and State Capitol, Madison

Wisconsin’s arts supporters from the worlds of the arts, business, education, civic issues, politics, and government will rally at Arts Day 2009, on Wednesday, March 4, 2009, at the Monona Terrace Convention Center and the State Capitol in downtown Madison. On Arts Day, people who care about Wisconsin’s future will come together to support investment in the state’s artistic, creative and human resources, to enhance and strengthen arts opportunities for everyone, everywhere in the state.

Arts Day will feature:

* The Arts Day Legislative Breakfast, 8:30-10 am. Featured speakers include Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton, Secretary of Tourism Kelli Trumble, and Wisconsin Poet Laureate Marilyn Taylor. The Appleton Boychoir will perform during the Breakfast.

* An update and brainstorming session on the Wisconsin Task Force on Arts and Creativity in Education’s report and recommendations, 11 am – 12 noon. The Task Force report on the critical importance of the arts and creativity in 21st century education – was released at the Creative Wisconsin Summit on January 9, 2009.

* A planning meeting of the Wisconsin Emerging Arts Leaders Network, 2-3 pm – bringing together the next generation of arts leaders!

The 2009 Arts Legislative Agenda calls for:

* Encouraging state investment in the arts and arts education through the Wisconsin Arts Board and other state agencies

* Reinstating the film industry tax incentives to build a powerful 21st century economic sector

* Advancing the recommendations of the Wisconsin Task Force on Arts and Creativity in Education to support arts and creative opportunities for all Wisconsin students

The evidence is clear: participation and involvement in the arts and arts education are important to the people of Wisconsin, and critical to the long-term economic, educational and civic health and well-being of Wisconsin’s communities. Investment in Wisconsin’s artists, arts organizations, and arts education is all about investment in good jobs, good education, and livable communities, and is directly tied to helping the state and all of its communities achieve and thrive.

Partners in Arts Day 2009 are:

Sponsoring Partners

AIA (American Institute of Architects) Wisconsin Arts Wisconsin Broadjam, Inc., Madison Good for Business, Madison Knupp and Watson, Madison PortalWisconsin.org UW-Extension Continuing Education Outreach and E-Learning Ward-Brodt Music, Madison Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities Wisconsin Music Educators Association Wisconsin Nonprofits Association Wisconsin Presenters Network Wisconsin Rural Partners Wisconsin Visual Artists (formerly Wisconsin Painters and Sculptors) Wisconsin Visual Art Lifetime Achievement Awards

Endorsing Partners

Robert E. Gard Wisconsin Idea Foundation Theatre Wisconsin Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters Wisconsin Alliance for Arts Education Wisconsin Alliance of Cities Wisconsin Downtown Action Council Wisconsin Federation of Museums Wisconsin Foundation for the Arts Wisconsin Historical Society Wisconsin Main Street Program Wisconsin PTA Wisconsin Regional Writers Association Wisconsin School Music Association Wisconsin Story Project

Additional Arts Day activities include:

* Local arts organization networking meeting and advocacy training for all Arts Day participants on Tuesday, March 3

* Constituent visits with state legislators and elected officials

* the presentation of the annual Rabin Youth Arts Awards by the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras

* the latest information on the issues facing the arts in Wisconsin

* networking and friend-making for Wisconsin’s creative sector

* A free public concert in the Capitol Rotunda with Waukesha West High School musicians, 12 noon, sponsored by the Wisconsin Music Educators Association.

The cost of Arts Day is only $20 per participant, with additional discounts available. For more information and to register for Arts Day, contact Arts Wisconsin, 608 255 8316 akatz@artswisconsin.org http://www.artswisconsin.org.