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!
The photo displayed above was taken at an WAB event, where we asked participants to write their favorite art forms that they participate in. In the photo, WAB bookmarks and other materials are spread across the table, and someone is writing their favorite art forms (photography and street art) on a sticky note.
Local Arts Agencies
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. No two LAAs are completely alike, however, whether they serve a single village, town, city, or a multistate region, they all play a pivotal role in their local communities. Some LAAs are departments of local government, others are nonprofit organizations, and still others are hybrids of the two (to learn more about LAAs, visit the National Endowment for the Arts).
From the north to the south, from the east to the west of Wisconsin, you can find LAAs everywhere in the state. With help from colleagues and America for the Art’s LAA Wayfinder, we’ve gathered a Wisconsin LAA resource list and interactive map.
P.S. We also have an Artist Cooperatives and Collectives resource list.
Northern Wisconsin
Cable/Hayward Area Arts Council
The Cable-Hayward Area Arts Council (CHARAC) is a non-profit organization based in Cable, Wisconsin, dedicated to promoting and supporting the arts in the Cable–Hayward region members. It was founded in 1996 by a group of artists and community members who wanted to expand opportunities for artists and enrich the cultural life of the area.
Chequamegon Bay Arts Council
The Chequamegon Bay Arts Council is a member-oriented, non-profit organization promoting the arts in northern Wisconsin. Run by a dynamic all-volunteer Board of Directors, CBAC supports local arts and believes a vibrant arts community invigorates the community at large.
LOLA Arts
Land O' Lakes Area Arts (LOLA) is dedicated to promoting the arts in Northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. LOLA will support local artists in fulfilling their artistic potential while also bringing enrichment, arts education, and beautification to the people of the area, which contributes to the vitality of the larger community.
Northern Arts Council
The Northern Arts Council (NAC) was established in 1968 with the goal of fostering and sponsoring art and cultural events in Northern Wisconsin, making it the longest continuously operating local arts group in the state; its primary focus is to encourage broader participation in the arts through grant-making and sharing resources across the counties of Oneida and Vilas.
Superior Council for the Arts
The Superior Council for the Arts (SCFTA) is a nonprofit arts organization based in Superior, Wisconsin, dedicated to supporting and promoting the arts in the city and Douglas County.
Central Wisconsin
Arts Council of South Wood County
The Arts Council of South Wood County is a nonprofit organization based in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, dedicated to bringing professional performing arts to residents of all ages. Founded in 1976, it was established to provide a variety of live performances — including music, theater, dance, comedy, and other entertainment — at the Performing Arts Center in Wisconsin Rapids.
CREATE Portage County
CREATE Portage County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts advocacy organization that supports local artists, entrepreneurs, and cultural initiatives in Portage County, Wisconsin. Its mission is to accelerate creativity, connection, and collaboration to build vibrant and welcoming communities.
Waupaca Community Arts Board
The Waupaca Community Arts Board is a diverse group of passionate volunteers dedicated to incorporating the arts into everyday life of people of all ages and artistic abilities by promoting creativity, artistic expression and community building.
Southern Wisconsin
Arts Alliance of Greater Lake Mills
The Arts Alliance creates greater visibility for the arts in the greater Lake Mills area. Committed to providing arts opportunities for people of all ages, cultures and income levels, and connecting artists with each other.
Arts Council of Edgerton
The Arts Council of Edgerton (ACE) is a non-profit, charitable organization founded in 1983 by local arts enthusiasts to promote and support the performing, visual, and literary arts in the Edgerton, Wisconsin area and surrounding communities.
Cambridge Arts Council
Since 20012, the Cambridge Arts Council has been at the heart of the arts in the Cambridge community, transforming lives and energizing local businesses. By providing platforms for artists, hosting events that draw visitors from across the country, and funding educational opportunities, the organization continues to make Cambridge a hub of creativity and connection.
City of Madison Arts Commission
The Madison Arts Commission (MAC) is the City of Madison’s official body for guiding arts policy and funding cultural programs. Established in 1974, it advises the Mayor and Common Council on arts-related matters and is part of the Department of Planning & Community & Economic Development.
City of Middleton Arts Committee
The Arts Committee recommends plans and policies to further the city's commitment to promoting, creating, and maintaining public art. The committee consists of eight citizen members: three who will have a degree or professional background in art, architecture, or engineering, one alderperson, and one student.
Create Waunakee
Create Waunakee is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting, celebrating, and building Waunakee’s creative economy through public art, cultural events, and community engagement.
Dane Arts
Dane Arts is the Dane County Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission, a government agency within Dane County, Wisconsin, dedicated to supporting, promoting, and ensuring equitable access to the arts, culture, history, and creative expression for all residents.
Fort Arts Council (Fort Atkinson)
The Fort Arts Council is a community-based organization in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, dedicated to supporting creative pursuits and fostering arts engagement in the area.
Friends of Madison Arts Commission
The Friends of the Madison Arts Commission is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 2020 to support the Madison Arts Commissions (MAC)'s efforts to encourage artistic activities and initiate cultural programs that integrate, support and advance arts and culture as an essential part of life in Madison.
Stoughton Arts Council
The Stoughton Arts Council is a community organization dedicated to promoting the arts in Stoughton, Wisconsin, through awareness, appreciation, education, and support. Its mission is to create a connection between artists and audiences, enriching the quality of life for all residents.
Walworth County Arts Council
The Walworth County Arts Council, est. 1968, is a not-for-profit service organization advancing the importance and growth of the arts and cultural activities throughout Walworth County. Its membership includes participating artists and musicians, students, agencies, businesses, and concerned citizens, who together represent widely varied backgrounds and interest in the arts.
Whitewater Arts Alliance
The mission of the Whitewater Arts Alliance is to promote the visual and performing arts through an alliance of artists, individuals, educational resources, and organizations to promote creativity and diversity that will serve to educate and enrich the lives of the residents of the Whitewater community and surrounding areas.
Eastern Wisconsin
Arts Alliance of Greater Jefferson
The Arts Alliance of Greater Jefferson is a nonprofit organization based in Jefferson, Wisconsin, dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the community through the arts. Its mission is to develop and foster greater awareness and appreciation for the arts, while also promoting tourism and economic development in the Jefferson area.
Arts & Culture Brown County (ACBC)
Arts & Culture Brown County (ACBC) is a creative sector service organization dedicated to strengthening and supporting the arts, culture, and creative economy in Brown County, Wisconsin. It was formed in 2020 from the Bay Area Arts & Culture Alliance (BAACA), a collaborative network of arts leaders and organizations in Greater Green Bay.
Burnett Area Arts Group
Burnett Area Arts (BAA) is a membership-driven, volunteer-based nonprofit organization established in 2004 to nurture and support the creative community of Northwest Wisconsin, with a primary focus on Burnett County nacommunityfoundation.org. It is not restricted to artists — anyone interested in supporting the arts can join.
City of Milwaukee Arts Board
The Milwaukee Arts Board (MAB) was created to enhance the development, cultural diversity, accessibility and enjoyment of the arts for Milwaukee's citizens. The Arts Board provides a range of support to arts and community organizations that produce innovative projects or programs. Additionally, the MAB is committed to supporting public art projects that provide a sense of place, celebrating the community in city neighborhoods, parks and public spaces.
City of Sturgeon Bay Local Arts Board
The City of Sturgeon Bay Local Arts Board is an advisory committee established to promote cultural and artistic enrichment in the community, connect residents and visitors through the arts, and enhance publicly owned spaces with art and cultural elements
Kewaskum Area Arts Council
The Kewaskum Area Arts Council (KAAC) is a community-based organization dedicated to producing, promoting, and coordinating the arts in the greater Kewaskum, Wisconsin area. Established in 2010, its mission is to present a wide range of artistic programs — including musical, dramatic, visual, dance, and literary events — at venues in and around Kewaskum.
Neenah Arts Council Committee
The Neenah Arts Council Committee is a volunteer-driven group within the City of Neenah, Wisconsin, dedicated to promoting and enhancing the arts for all residents Neenah. It operates as a city committee, meeting regularly in the Council Chambers at Neenah City Hall to plan, coordinate, and promote arts-related events and initiatives throughout the community.
Oneida Nation Arts Program
Oneida Nation Arts Program, ONAP provides diverse and comprehensive arts programs that feature, support and develop the Oneida creative spirit by celebrating, challenging, and promoting the individual. ONAP supports and encourages creative expression that embrace Oneida heritage, comment on the present, and illuminate the future.
Pewaukee Area Arts Council
The Pewaukee Area Arts Council (PAAC) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) arts organization founded on October 21, 2004 by a group of local artists and community members. It is based in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, with a mission to encourage, promote, and provide quality art experiences, programs, events, and cultural opportunities for the greater Lake Country area.
Port Washington Saukville Arts Council
The Port Washington–Saukville Arts Council (PWSAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization based in Port Washington, Wisconsin, established in 2011. It serves as the administrative umbrella for Gallery 224 and Studio 224, providing year-round art programming, exhibitions, and an artist-in-residence program.
Racine Arts Council
Founded in 1967, the Racine Arts Council encourages, supports and advocates on behalf of emerging and established artists, artistic groups in Racine's community, and young people interested in the arts.
Shawano County Arts Council
The Shawano County Arts Council (SCAC) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization based in Shawano County, Wisconsin, dedicated to promoting and supporting the arts in the region. It operates as a multi-faceted community organization that functions as a presenter, resource, facility manager, fundraiser, local arts agency, and art-in-education broker.
Watertown Arts Council
Founded by dedicated community members, the council’s mission is to foster and enrich the cultural life of Watertown by promoting the performance and exhibition of the creative arts and preserving the city’s natural beauty and historic landmarks.
Waupun Fine Arts
Waupun Fine Arts was founded in 1998 by two individuals who were passionate about the arts and showcasing them in Waupun’s beautiful and historic City Hall Auditorium. Since then WFA has been Dedicated to promoting and supporting local arts and artists of yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
Western Wisconsin
City of La Crosse Arts Board
The City of La Crosse Arts Board is committed to fostering a vibrant community by supporting diverse artistic activities and cultural programs.
Enrichment through Culture (ETC)
Enrichment Through Culture (ETC) was formed as an arts council in 1990 to support local visual artists. Conceived by a group of artists in a community education painting class and assisted by the Wisconsin Arts Board, the group surveyed the public opinion during the 1989 Rutabaga Festival and found that what Cumberland wanted was an arts fair. Put on an arts fair they did - an event that has evolved into the annual Celebration of the Arts.
Frederic Arts
The mission of Frederic Arts, Inc. is to create artistic opportunities and preserve the cultural fabric of Frederic's community through educational events and programs.
Hastings Prescott Arts Council
The Hastings Prescott Arts Council (HPAC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering and promoting the arts in the sister cities of Hastings, Minnesota and Prescott, Wisconsin. Founded in 2008, HPAC works to ensure that residents of both communities have equal access to artistic opportunities and to strengthen the cultural fabric through creative expression.
New Richmond Fine Arts Council
The New Richmond Fine Arts Council (NRFAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1958 to promote and support the cultural interests of New Richmond, Wisconsin, and its surrounding areas. Originally established as the New Richmond Fine Arts Center, Inc. by Bill and Lois McNally, its mission has evolved to inspire, enrich, and ignite passion for the arts in both students and adults.
Pump House Regional Arts Center
The Pump House Regional Arts Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1977 with a mission of enriching lives in the La Crosse region and beyond through visual, performing, and literary arts.
Richland Center Performing Arts Council
The Richland County Performing Arts Council (officially abbreviated as RCPAC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located in Richland Center, Wisconsin. Their primary mission is to operate, restore, and preserve the historic Richland Center City Auditorium, which is Wisconsin's oldest municipal auditorium, built in 1913.
River Falls Community Arts Base
River Falls Community Arts Base is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to facilitating arts-related events and projects in and around the community of River Falls, Wisconsin. Since 1996, CAB has sponsored such events as Music in the Park, CAB Community Barn Dances, Art on the Kinni, the Main Street Art Crawl, and much more.
River Valley Arts
Established in 2003 as the Spring Green Area Arts Coalition, River Valley ARTS changed its name in 2021 to better represent its support for the entire River Valley area. RV ARTS embraces the performing arts, literary arts, visual arts and crafts as well as local and regional history and culture in all the River Valley communities of Spring Green, Plain, Lone Rock and Arena.