The Wisconsin Arts Board is participating in the fifth national Arts & Economic Prosperity research study to be conducted by Americans for the Arts (AFTA) during 2016. This research will produce a report on Wisconsin’s arts and culture industry.
The 2012 Arts & Economic study found that nonprofit arts and culture are a $535 million industry in Wisconsin – one that supports 22,872 full-time equivalent jobs, $479 million in resident income, and generates $64.9 million in local and state government revenue. These facts are powerful tools in making the case for state and local funding for arts and culture by demonstrating the significant return on investment.
Nonprofit arts and culture organizations across the state will help us measure this economic impact in their communities throughout the year. Local study partners in six Wisconsin communities* will coordinate the data gathering specifically for their area. The Wisconsin Arts Board staff will work with the arts and culture organizations in the rest of the state to gather their data.
Audiences at arts and culture events will be surveyed throughout 2016 and arts and cultural organizations will complete a special survey in June, 2016.
Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education in America. With offices in Washington, D.C. and New York City, it has a record of more than 50 years of service.
Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.
The Wisconsin Arts Board is the state agency which nurtures creativity, cultivates expression, promotes the arts, supports the arts in education, stimulates community and economic development and serves as a resource for people of every culture and heritage. Since 1973, the Arts Board has supported artists and arts organizations with funds from the state legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information on the Wisconsin Arts Board, please visit www.artsboard.wisconsin.gov. For information on Wisconsin arts and cultural events, please visit
www.portalwisconsin.org.
* In the following six communities with local study partners, the audience survey form will be provided by and returned directly to the local partner: Dane County, Door County, Eau Claire, Greater Fox Cities, Green Bay, and La Crosse.
If you have questions or need additional information please contact:
Wisconsin Arts Board
(608) 266-9737