At the end of the year, it’s my job (and my pleasure) as Executive Director of Arts Wisconsin, Wisconsin’s independent voice for the arts, to look back on the year in the arts across the state, and review and preview the exciting advocacy, service and development work we’ve done this year and are looking forward to doing next year. Here’s a quick review of 2009 and a look ahead to 2010:

There’s no denying that it’s been a difficult year for all of us in the arts sector and beyond. Undoubtedly, most, if not all, of us have fewer resources personally and professionally, and if you are like me, you feel plenty of anxiety about keeping all of those balls juggling in the air. Our world has been been fragile, under-resourced, and stressed-out this year.

Even so, Wisconsin’s arts sector has faced its challenges head on and for the most part, seems to have made it through the year with sheer determination, smarts, hard work and of course, creativity. You are surviving to do great work to make the arts happen in your communities. I see hard-working, committed managers, volunteers and supporters, everywhere in the state, persevering to do what they are so very passionate about. Kudos to all of you. Arts Wisconsin does its work on your behalf, and we are in constant admiration of what you do every day.

I don’t have to tell you that in 2009, local and global financial woes affected public and private support for and involvement in the arts – you have lived it. The dismal state of the economy was evident as state elected officials deliberated a 2009-2011 state budget with a $6.7 billion deficit. The Wisconsin Arts Board did not see much change in its funding, a positive achievement in a year which saw cuts of up to 46% to state arts agency budgets in states such as Ohio, Illinois and New York. However, a budget cut for Wisconsin’s emerging film incentives program, despite heroic statewide advocacy efforts and support from many legislators, meant that the state’s blossoming film industry was pretty much halted in its tracks before it had a real chance to show its stuff. There will be opportunities to revisit the film industry infrastructure in the future and hopefully, grow that important 21st century industry.

Throughout this difficult year, Arts Wisconsin’s work ensured that:

• Arts and cultural organizations around the state had access to critical training and technical assistance, information resources, peer mentoring, and capacity building opportuniti
• Government officials and political leaders heard a strong, clear voice speaking up for the arts and creativity in an important budget year;
• Business and community leaders began to see the arts differently: as essential economic, educational and civic assets for Wisconsin;
• Wisconsin residents continued to enjoy the artistic, cultural and creative endeavors at the heart of their communities.

We look forward to expanded advocacy, service and development action in 2010, and a year of great opportunities. If there ever was a time that we needed the arts, it’s now. This is our moment, because creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship – all qualities inherent to the arts – are what we need to move our economy, educational systems, and civic infrastructure forward. These are some of the issues to watch and be involved with in 2010:

• 2010 will be a major political year in Wisconsin. We face our first gubernatorial election without an incumbent since 1982; all of the State Assembly and half of the State Senate seats, all 8 Congressional seats, and one of our U.S. Senate seats, are up for election as well. It is essential that the candidates know that the arts are “part of the solution” as they campaign. Arts Wisconsin will provide statewide support, information and resources throughout the political season for local advocates to fully demonstrate the critical importance of a strong arts and arts education sector for Wisconsin’s future. Campaign season begins in earnest after the New Year. The State Legislature is back in session as of January 19, 2010. Arts Day 2010 is March 3, 2010, in Madison – mark your calendar to attend this important day for the arts!

• Community cultural development is an idea whose time has come for Wisconsin. The creative economy is becoming a real force for change in our state. Communities of all sizes throughout Wisconsin are finding ways to strengthen the economy and support civic engagement from the ground up. Creative economy and cultural planning efforts in Madison and the Milwaukee region, regional economic development based on quality of life around the state, collaborations between the arts and business, education, political and governmental worlds…show me a map of Wisconsin and I’ll show you the many places where these efforts are really taking root. Political, business, education, and civic leaders, and the general public, are showing enthusiastic interest and involvement in sustainability, capacity-building and investment in the authentic and unique assets that Wisconsin possesses in abundance.

• Educating our children for the 21st century workforce and world will be a major issue in 2010, and the arts are an important part of that conversation. 2008’s Wisconsin Task Force on Arts and Creativity in Education, co-chaired by Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton and former State Superintendent for Public Instruction Elizabeth Burmaster, called for increased investment in the arts and creativity as part of a quality education for all Wisconsin students. Task Force efforts and more research on the state of the arts in education in Wisconsin will continue and grow in 2010.

• Nationally, President and Mrs. Obama have demonstrated in this first year in office that they are actively engaged in and recognize the importance of the arts, arts education, and community engagement for all Americans. The new Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts, Rocco Landesman, is a pro-active advocate who brings great energy and enthusiasm to the job and is already starting to shake things up in Washington and across the country. A few weeks ago, the Endowment released a report on the agency’s 2008 survey of public participation in the arts showing that the ways in which people participate in the arts are changing dramatically, and confirming the need for creative thinking and action about local and national arts and cultural infrastructure, programming and partnerships. There will be a lot of discussion around the report and how Americans have participated and will participate in the arts, in the year ahead. Arts Wisconsin will keep you up to date on and involved with that important conversation.

In closing: 2010 has got to be better than 2009, and indeed, most analysts are (cautiously) predicting a better financial picture for the year ahead. Let’s all do our part to make it a better year in the arts. Now is the time to roll up our sleeves and get to work with a renewed sense of purpose and enthusiasm. Decision-makers and the people in your community are ready to become involved with our strong message, unified efforts, and collaborative spirit. In 2010, it’s in your best interest to be informed and involved because the success of these efforts means more resources (i.e., more money and visibility) for you, your work and your community. Please keep Arts Wisconsin up to date on what’s happening in your world, and we will keep you engaged in statewide and global news, issues, trends and actions. Please make sure that your colleagues and friends are signed on to our Legislative Action Center, to keep up to date and in touch!

Have a wonderful and happy new year. Thanks for all you do. We look forward to working with you and for you in 2010.