April 19, 2021
Dear Friend,
We all know that the reason the arts are important ... is because the arts are important. Humans have been expressing themselves creatively since the beginning of time. You can't stop the intangible, essential creativity that lives in all of us. That's the fundamental reason that investment in the arts, culture, and creativity is imperative to the health and well-being of all people and communities.
At the same time, data and statistics quantifying the power, impact and benefits of the arts packs a powerful punch, both good and bad. The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) of the US Department of Commerce and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) have just released new research demonstrating that the creative sector has long been a vital component of the U.S. economy. But, after more than a year enduring the pandemic, the arts and cultural industries remain among the hardest hit by the economic crises inflicted by COVID-19.
New data released in March 2021 by the two federal agencies describes the national and state-level contributions of the arts and cultural sector to the nation’s gross domestic product in 2019. This data from the Arts and Cultural Production Satellite Account (ACPSA) show the sector as thriving just before the pandemic struck.
For Wisconsin, the ACPSA information is especially impressive:
- $10.9 billion in ACPSA value added for economic impact
- 96,450 jobs in the creative industries (more jobs than in the state’s beer, biotech, and papermaking industries)
- In 2019, Wisconsin ranked 19th among all states in ACPSA value added, and 27th among all states in ACPSA value added growth. Since 2018, ACPSA value added has grown 3.52% in Wisconsin.
The data shows that in 2019, economic activity in the sector had been expanding nationally:
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Production of arts and cultural goods and services in the U.S. added 4.3 percent directly to the nation’s GDP, for a total approaching a trillion dollars ($919.7 billion). This amount remains greater than the value added by such industries as construction, transportation and warehousing, mining, and agriculture.
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Arts and cultural industries had 5.2 million workers on payroll with total compensation of $447 billion. This figure does not include self-employed arts workers.
Now, the coronavirus pandemic continues to gnaw away at the nation’s arts and cultural infrastructure:
- Since the first U.S. case was reported in January 2020, cancellations have taken place at virtually every arts organization in the country and artists/creative workers are among the most severely affected segment of the nation’s workforce.
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Nationally, financial losses to nonprofit arts and culture organizations are an estimated $16.0 billion, to date. 99% of producing and presenting organizations have cancelled events—a loss of 498 million admissions and $15.8 billion in audience spending at local businesses (e.g., restaurants, lodging, retail, parking). The total economic impact of organizational and audience-spending losses is $5.4 billion in lost government revenue and 932,000 jobs no longer being supported.
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a January 2021 report developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Argonne National Laboratory, and the NEA, noting that within the arts and culture sector, “nowhere has the effect been more direct, deep, and immediate than on the performing arts.”
The data illuminates the stories of creativity and resilience shown by Wisconsin's creative sector during the pandemic (and always). Arts Wisconsin will use the powerful data and the stories to speak up and take action for Wisconsin's people, organizations, businesses, and communities, as we all build the post-pandemic world.
Regards,
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Anne Katz, Director
608 255 8316
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Take action for the arts, culture and creativit
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Seeking Practical Examples of Rural Wisconsin Prosperity: The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation's Office of Rural Prosperity is developing a website portal that will encompass the rural programs and resources in state agencies and provide examples of projects that showcase rural Wisconsin opportunity. Do you have a story about rural creative ingenuity to share? We bet you do. Submit to the Office using this form by April 20.
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Americans for the Arts and the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives are gathering signatories on a letter from chambers of commerce to Congress advocating for recovery funding. Last August, 204 Chambers of Commerce from all 50 states signed on in support of the arts. Now, we need more voices to be heard. Please send this letter and sign-on page along to your local Chamber of Commerce with encouragement that they join the growing list by April 25, 2021. Wisconsin should be represented in this national effort!
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Put Creative Workers Back to Work: Activating the creative economy to stimulate recovery just makes sense. Here are 16 actions, developed by Americans for the Arts and partners, to put artists and creative workers back to work addressing the pressing issues of the day.
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In the wake of devastating attacks against Asian American Pacific Islander communities, we're sharing info from Americans for the Arts' Cultural Equity Weekly News Digest focusing on resources specific to combatting anti-Asian racism, which has been on the rise over the past year due to increased racist rhetoric around the coronavirus pandemic. Please explore these Anti-Asian Violence Resources and find out how you can educate yourself and others, take action, and support the Asian community.
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Creative Wisconsin Month continues!
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Lots of interesting conversations coming up about creativity, advocacy, and the new world unfolding as the pandemic eases:
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TONIGHT! Monday, April 19, 7-8 pm CT: Civic Entertainment: Making Democracy a Little More Fun. Kristin Brey of As Goes Wisconsin and Libby Falck of Forward Labs talk about their work to deliver civic learning through laughter and play. TONIGHT!
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Friday, April 23, 11 am – 12 noon CT: Young Arts Leaders, making creative careers and lives. Hear from young Wisconsin creative sector leaders about their aspirations, plans, and ideas as they start their careers at this unprecedented moment in time.
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Monday, April 26, 4-5:30 pm: Artists/Creative Workers Town Hall #2, presented by a partnership of statewide organizations and agencies
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Tuesday, April 27, 1-2 pm CT: Artistry Meets Advocacy, in partnership with Wisconsin Visual Artists. Powerhouse leaders throughout the Wisconsin art community discuss the ways in which artists can be advocates for themselves as well as others through their work, actions, and organizations.
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Wednesday, April 28, 11 am – 12 noon CT: State of Arts and Creative Sector Funding in Wisconsin, one year later, in partnership with Wisconsin Philanthropy Network. To say that Wisconsin’s arts sector has been in flux throughout this pandemic year is an understatement. With cancellations and shutdowns affecting almost all arts businesses and workers, funding sources including CARES Act, Save Our Stages, special public funding programs, and private grant opportunities have kept the work and the people going, in many ways.
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Thursday, April 29, 2021, 2-4 pm CT: Shaping Downtown after COVID-19. Downtown development stories from Ithaca, New York and Appleton, Eau Claire, and La Crosse, Wisconsin, presented by UW-Madison/Extension.
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Friday, April 30, 12:00-1:00pm CT: The Business of Art and The Art of Business | Panel with Wisconsin arts organization leaders, presented by Dane Arts Buy Local.
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Sessions, conferences, workshops, grant opportunities, and more
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In addition to Creative Wisconsin Month sessions, there are a lot of opportunities out there for individual artists, for-profit and non-profit businesses, local government, and everyone who cares about Wisconsin's future. Click here for info.
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What we're reading and watching
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Art Without Borders, NY Times, 4-8-21
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How Gabby Giffords is using music to rewire her brain after being shot, PBS, 4-8-21
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Why art is smart for the agriculture business and recruiting efforts, Ag Journal, 4-7-21
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San Francisco and Other Cities Try to Give Artists Steady Income, NY Times, 4-6-21
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How the Creative Economy is Changing with COVID-19: Scott Belsky, chief product officer at Adobe, says that creative workers are a bigger part of the economy than ever, thanks to new technologies, more gig work, and shifting norms following the pandemic. Harvard Business Review, April 2021
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Support the arts, culture and creativity by supporting Arts Wisconsin
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As we see the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, Arts Wisconsin is working tirelessly to build on its past accomplishments and future promise, to benefit everywhere in the state. We're activating Wisconsin’s opportunities and potential for creative economic, workforce and community vitality, access, growth and strength, through advocacy, service, and development.
Help Arts Wisconsin move forward, speak up, and serve with optimism, energy, and strategic change:
Thanks for your support. We appreciate your community spirit and your investment!
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Thanks to our generous sponsors and supporters!
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