Creative Copy is the Wisconsin Arts Board's bi-weekly newsletter distributing relevant information and important resources to artists and arts organizations in Wisconsin. If you think we missed something, or if you have a question, email vivienne.timchenko@wisconsin.gov, and if you haven't yet, make sure to subscribe to the Wisconsin Arts News and Creative Copy!
All Creative Copy topics come from feedback from the field, conversations in communities, and underserved needs called out by arts organizations, artists, and our entire constituency. Below, you'll find links to pages containing the resources and information in past editions of Creative Copy.
The date in parentheses after each title references the last time a resource page was updated.
America 250 (July 3, 2025)Leading up to the largest commemoration and celebration in American history, America250 is planning a multi-year, national effort to engage, educate, and unite Americans from sea to shining sea through the following tentpole programs.
America250 Grants (October 24, 2026)Our America250 Grants are embedded within our FY2027 Creative Communities Grant Program, with the application open from November 3rd, 2025 to February 18th, 2026.
Art Fairs & Festivals (May 11, 2026)Art fairs and festivals are all events in which the primary purpose is centered on the display, or exhibition, of art. We've created a list and corresponding map with the fairs and festivals across the state that have an exhibition component for artists.
Art Markets (November 7, 2025)Purchasing an item from an artist at an art market goes beyond finding a special piece. Artists are workers, and buying locally during the holiday season allows you to support your local community.
Connect In (August 29, 2025)Our agency serves all people in Wisconsin, in all communities, no matter how large or how small. We've often heard that outside of the free services we offer (like our newsletters and technical support to artists), and the grant making responsibilities we hold, one of the other important pieces of our work is our ability to convene communities. This page also includes a worksheet to help you connect in with your local community!
Cultivating Youth Creativity (March 13, 2026)A recent report commissioned by the Wallace Foundation connects many of the dots arts educators and teaching artists have already etched in - engaging in youth art programs can help young people build the confidence and the relationships they may need to thrive as adults, and can foster skills like creative thinking, self-awareness, and social influence, to guide them as technology, demography, and geopolitical upheaval transform the country's society and economy. This page contains resources for arts educators and teaching artists to help aid the great, grueling, valued work they do.
Cultural Coalition of Wisconsin (November 28, 2025)The Cultural Coalition of Wisconsin consists of state agencies and affiliated statewide organizations working for the hearts, minds and spirits of the people of Wisconsin. Formed in 1993, the purpose of the Coalition is to acquire and maintain an understanding of each other: what our organizations have in common, how they are different; and perhaps most important, when our organizations may engage in common action.
Fantastic Film (April 10, 2026)From incentives within the biennial budget, to award winning films (Green and Gold; Public Enemies; so many more), Wisconsin’s film scene is rolling! Here we share some additional resources for Wisconsin filmmakers and fans: a growing list of Wisconsin's film festivals; film incubators/places in Wisconsin to study film (and video and animation); film archives in Wisconsin, and more.
For Arts Nonprofits (May 16, 2025)Arts non-profits make Wisconsin (and the world) go 'round. But, especially in turbulent times, non-profit arts organizations often face unique problems (like lack of funding, operating with volunteer staff capacity, etc.) that for-profit arts organizations don’t face, or face at a lesser magnitude.
Immigrant Artist Resources (June 13, 2025)Around 5.4% of people living in Wisconsin were born in a foreign country, and about 3% of Wisconsinites were born to at least one immigrant parent. This page contains a list of resources to aid creatives looking to immigrate to Wisconsin, or immigrant artists living in Wisconsin.
Indigenous Artist Resources (July 11, 2025)There are over 145,000 Indigenous Americans living in Wisconsin, and there are 11 federally recognized Tribal Nations who share boundaries with the State of Wisconsin, each having their own cultures and traditions. We're focusing on Indigenous Artists, and sharing resources with that focus in mind, thanks to help from Kaitlyn Berle, Folk and Traditional Arts Specialist at the Wisconsin Arts Board, and our Board Member Karen Ann Hoffman.
Local Arts Agencies (May 23, 2025)Across the United States, more than 4,500 local arts agencies (LAAs) provide a wide range of programs and services. LAAs are intermediaries, serving artists and arts organizations, local residents, visitors, and other community partners. From the north to the south, from the east to the west of Wisconsin, you can find LAAs everywhere in the state.
Makerspaces (September 26, 2025)If you aren't familiar, makerspaces are community operated, usually non-profit, cooperative spaces that encourage learning, making, innovating, tinkering, and teaching. Makerspaces vary in size and capacity, but most makerspaces are creative hubs where people can go to use tools and materials, while collaborating with creatives in the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) fields.
Mental Health (May 22, 2026)A digital space focused on mental health for artists and arts professionals - what mental health means, how artists and arts professionals can prioritize mental health, and what mental health resources are available in Wisconsin for artists and arts professionals.
National Arts in Education Week (September 5, 2025)National Arts in Education Week is celebrated nationally from September 14th through September 20th in 2025. Here, we call out the importance of arts in education, share resources for arts educators, resurface the 2025 Wisconsin Creativity Summit, and highlight materials centered on creativity in education from the Department of Public Instruction.
Poet Laureate Programs in Wisconsin (April 24, 2026)Poet laureate programs exist at national, state, and local levels, and promote poetry while engaging communities through literary arts. Wisconsin is home to a statewide program, 9 county and city programs, and 2 youth programs.
Social Rx (April 24, 2025)Social Prescription (Social Rx) is an innovative and evidence-based practice in both the United States and across the globe where health providers prescribe arts, cultural, and nature activities free-of-cost for patients in community settings to holistically address an individual’s specific health issues and unmet needs such as poor mental health, substance misuse, chronic disease, and social isolation.
The Law and The Arts (June 27, 2025)The legal landscape for artists is multifaceted, and artists need to pay careful attention to legal developments, rules, and regulations to protect their rights, income, and reputation. We've listed the most pertinent legal considerations artists should be aware of (credit to Musical Arts for pulling together a master list), along with relevant and Wisconsin specific legal resources.
Youth Poetry in Wisconsin (March 6, 2026)From being stamped into sidewalks in Appleton, Madison, Lake Mills, and more, to serving as a cornerstone of organizations like Woodland Pattern in Milwaukee, poetry is celebrated throughout Wisconsin. During Youth Arts Month (every March), we are shining the light on youth poetry across the state.
Winter Work, Spring Fruit (March 27, 2026)For many Wisconsin artists, winter is a time to burrow. The beginning of spring is when eyes begin to blink open, and a nose peeks out from the ground. This page hosts resources to help artists take advantage of the inner reflection the transition period between these two seasons brings, while offering a few prompts to help bring new perspectives to ideas that may be buried under the snow.
