For immediate release
Contacts:
Anne Katz, Arts Wisconsin, 608 255 8316 / akatz@artswisconsin.org
Lou Ann Novak, Verizon, 715 847-1226 / louann.novak@verizon.com
State Artists To Have New Online Resource
Arts Wisconsin, Wisconsin’s service and advocacy organization for the arts, has been awarded a $5000 grant from Verizon.
Funding from Verizon will support Arts Wisconsin’s “Grow Wisconsin Creatively” initiative to support and nurture cultural economic development across the state.
Much of Wisconsin’s arts programs, services and opportunities are created and produced by creative people who are self-employed or run small businesses, as well as grassroots nonprofit organizations. These entrepreneurs and administrators are all-too-often short on the skills needed to realize their dreams. There is a great need for high-quality, accessible, affordable, training and assistance.
Verizon’s support will be used to offer professional development and skill building training for Wisconsin self-employed artists, creative entrepreneurs, and small business owners, so that they can fully participate in the 21st century economy. Online training will be offered through Arts Wisconsin’s website, www.artswisconsin.org, to educate artists and creative workers on the critical knowledge they need to make a living in the arts, including business plans, marketing and promotion, and networking strategies. The virtual education will be enhanced with five in-person training sessions.
“Verizon is dedicated to leveraging the power of technology to help nonprofits offer new educational opportunities for their clients”, said Lou Ann Novak, Verizon Foundation representative. “Art Wisconsin’s ‘Grow Wisconsin Creatively’ initiative provides sound business advice to creative entrepreneurs in a new and innovative way.”
For the latest information on Grow Wisconsin Creatively and online entrepreneurial education for creative workers, visit www.artswisconsin.org.
Arts Wisconsin is the only organization serving and speaking up for every Wisconsin artist and arts organization, leading the way at the intersection of the arts and culture, civic engagement, educational enhancement, and economic advancement. Arts Wisconsin builds and sustains grassroots and statewide support to enliven and invigorate all of the state’s communities through the arts, with over 200 business, foundation, organizational and individual members, located in every corner of the state. For over ten years, Arts Wisconsin has brought together and educated the state’s multi-layered and diverse creative community, with a successful track record of service to individual artists, nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and all other constituents concerned with the arts on a local or statewide basis.
With more than $71 billion in annual revenues, Verizon Communications Inc. is one of the world’s leading providers of communications services. Verizon has a diverse work force of 212,000 in four business units: Domestic Telecom provides customers based in 28 states with wireline and other telecommunications services, including broadband. Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation’s most reliable wireless network, serving 45.5 million voice and data customers across the United States. Information Services operates directory publishing businesses and provides electronic commerce services. International includes wireline and wireless operations and investments, primarily in the Americas and Europe.
For more information, contact Anne Katz, Executive Director, Arts Wisconsin, 608 255 8316 / akatz@artswisconsin.org, or Lou Ann Novak, Verizon Foundation Representative, 715 847 1226 / louann.novak@verizon.com.
