[Madison, Wis.] – In case you missed it, Wisconsin’s Creative Economy Coalition was recently featured on UPFRONT, a statewide public affairs program hosted by WISN. Jason Jon Anderson of the Pablo Center at the Confluence in Eau Claire and Bruce Pepich of the Racine Art Museum sat down to discuss how Wisconsin’s arts and creative sector drive our state’s economy forward.
Watch the video here or click below:
The creative sector is a major driver in Wisconsin’s economy, generating $10.8 billion in economic value while supporting nearly 90,000 jobs in the state. The coalition is advocating for investment in Wisconsin’s arts and cultural sector, where funding currently sits at just 14 cents per capita and ranks last in the nation.
The coalition, made up of over 140 members and supporting organizations from the state’s arts and creative sector – including film and video, music, performing and visual arts, museums, heritage sites, venues, festivals, and other cultural events – notes that this funding is critical to revitalizing our communities and putting a stop to the brain drain of young, creative workers who leave Wisconsin for places like Minnesota, which funds its creative sector at over 50 times the rate of Wisconsin.
“Knowing the funding solution is needed but won’t come quick, the coalition is now working with a group of state lawmakers – both Democrat and Republican – to still find a way in the state budget or as standalone legislation,” said UPFRONT co-host Gerron Jordan.
Wisconsin’s Creative Economy Coalition is comprised of leading businesses and individuals in the state’s creative sector focused on advocating for an important investment that will serve as a catalyst for increased economic activity across the state. Visit WisconsinCreates.com to learn more.
