2012 Arts Wisconsin Legislative Candidate Survey

1. The Arts and the Creative Economy: 21st Century Growth in Wisconsin

 
“Let us put our minds together and see what kind of life we can make for our children.” ~ Sitting Bull

Creativity. Innovation. Imagination. Entrepreneurship. That's what Wisconsin needs, and that's what the arts provide. Now, more than ever, investment in the arts, arts education and creative economy is not separate from the overall priorities of the state—it’s vital to the overall health and well-being of the people of Wisconsin and all of the state’s communities.

Wisconsin should expand its horizons beyond the state’s historic economy to target talent, increase high paying job creation and retention, and provide the public and private leadership necessary to insure the resources for a sustainable 21st Century economy. The shift from a traditional commodity-based, mass production economy to a knowledge-based, creative economy demands strategic focus on productivity, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Wisconsin must intentionally strategize to invest in 21st century infrastructure that leads us forward, prepares our workforce for the jobs that will stay, and drives traditional sectors onto new ground. The Council on Competitiveness recognized this back in 2005: “from an economic development perspective, many communities are still pursuing the old, incentive-based strategies. These don’t work in a world in which firm success depends ever more on the quality of ideas and talent, and ever less on traditional infrastructure.”

The times call for creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship - all qualities inherent in the arts - to move our state and our nation out of the economic downturn and forward, to:

• revive and stimulate the economy locally and statewide
• create locally-based, sustainable jobs
• educate our children for the 21st century workforce
• enliven our communities large and small and bring diverse communities together
• enhance and strengthen Wisconsin’s competitive edge and international reputation.

This 21st century infrastructure goes beyond traditional definitions - roads, bridges, dams and air traffic control - to include a healthy arts and culture industry which animates community development on all levels. Our creative economy assets are significant and cover the state. Creativity is not limited to one cluster, but is essential to all Wisconsin industries and clusters.

In the past fifteen years - while economic changes have proven the great need for creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship to keep people working; while Wisconsin communities large and small have achieved exciting economic and downtown revitalization programs based on arts centers and programs; while cultural tourism has become a growing and vital component of the state’s tourism economy; while global research has proven that the arts and creativity in education prepares students for the 21st century world and workforce; while interest and participation in the arts by Wisconsin citizens has increased dramatically; while the need for pro-active state investment in the state's cultural assets has become imperative - Wisconsin has decreased its investment in the arts, arts education and creative economy.

It is time to pro-actively use Wisconsin’s abundant arts, culture, and creative assets for economic, educational, and civic vitality and stability. To achieve these goals, Wisconsin’s elected officials, decision-makers and citizens should:

• Invest in Wisconsin’s economic development and community revitalization by using the state’s diverse artistic, cultural, historical and creative resources.
• Assist in the creation and retention of high-paying jobs based in the creative economy.
• Support consistently high-quality educational systems that use creativity in the acquisition of local and global knowledge and understanding, and prepare students for the 21st century workforce.
• Strengthen the artistic and cultural infrastructure statewide, for vibrant, livable communities everywhere.
1. Background: Wisconsin’s arts and cultural organizations add energy to the economy, enhance education for all Wisconsin students, provide access to the arts and support quality of life in every corner of the state. According to April 2012 Dun and Bradstreet data, Wisconsin boasts 12,953 arts-related businesses that employ nearly 49,526 people. The nonprofit arts sector alone provides an economic impact of $535 million.

Statement: State appropriations and policies to advance Wisconsin’s creative industries (including arts, cultural, historical, humanities, science, and arts education resources) are extremely important to Wisconsin’s strong economic and innovative future.

Do you:
2. Background: The arts in Wisconsin generate jobs, create economic stimulus, attract businesses, improve education, drive tourism, and enhance our quality of life.

Statement: The arts, culture, creativity and innovation play an important role in our state’s economy, educational systems, and civic infrastructure. Wisconsin needs pro-active state investment in creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship to move forward in the 21st century.

Do you:
3. Background: Global research and practice show that students with high levels of arts participation outperform other students on virtually every measure from standardized tests to community participation, and that learning through the arts has a significant effect on learning in other areas, particularly in the early years.

Statement: The arts and creativity are a critical component of the overall education of all Wisconsin students for the 21st century workforce.

Do you:
4. Background: Knowledge and creativity add up to a workforce with a competitive edge in a global economy. In that equation, knowledge represents what we can know; creativity helps us manage the unknown. Arts education develops that creative capacity inherent in everyone; it is the single discipline that specifically teaches the skills needed to drive creative thought toward innovative action. We know that Wisconsin needs more workers proficient in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) studies; to capitalize on their expertise, we must add the arts for STEAM in Wisconsin.

Statement: Wisconsin should support policies and funding to increase the availability and integration of arts programs in Wisconsin’s schools, to benefit all Wisconsin students.

Do you:
5. Everyone in Wisconsin is involved in the arts in some way. What arts and cultural activities have you, and/or members of your family, attended, participated in, and/or supported in the last year?
6. Your comments on the role, impact, public value, and benefits of the arts, arts education and creative economy for Wisconsin its residents, and its communities?
7. Would you like more information on the arts, creative economy, and community cultural development in Wisconsin?
8. Please give us your contact information (name, district, office running for, party, email, phone).
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