The Arts in the Micro-Community 2026: Connect, Converse, Collaborate
The Wisconsin Arts Board invites leaders, creatives, movers and shakers from communities with populations of 2,500 or less in Northern Wisconsin (north of US Highway 8) and Michigan's Upper Peninsula to Lowenwood in Land O’Lakes, WI on Tuesday, May 12 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. We’ll spend the day working on arts-related ideas and practical tools to help the region’s micro-communities (with populations under 2,500) thrive.
Agenda
9:30 – Begin arriving at Lowenwood (coffee and light refreshments)
10:00 – Welcome and Introductions
10:20 – Lightning Round #1 (5 questions in 10 minutes)
10:30 – Group discussion on three topics
Questions below are merely suggested as discussion starters
Collaborate: Artists and Community
What are ways that artists and micro-communities collaborate now?
What makes those collaborations work and what hinders them?
How could artists and micro-communities collaborate in new ways?
How do micro-communities attract tourists to their arts and creative assets?
How can artists, arts groups, arts event organizers and Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) work together effectively?
Where do hotel room fees fit into arts-related tourism in micro-communities?
How is arts education activated and supported in micro-communities?
How do youth connect with arts and creative activities in micro-communities now?
What resources exist to support engaging youth with the arts now?
Noon – Lunch
1:00 – Group discussion on three topics
Questions below are merely suggested as discussion starters
What resources have you found to support your arts-related work/mission now?
What resources have you wanted to tap but haven’t known how?
How can communities work together to access resources that might be beyond them individually?
Public Art: Murals and Beyond
In what ways have you seen public art positively affect your/a nearby micro-community?
What are the challenges involved in public art projects? (Have you seen the toolkits and other planning resources that are available?)
What micro-community partner organizations/resources/people are key?
Arts and Local Government (including Libraries)
Local and county government spend money on infrastructure and other projects – how do the arts fit into the stated priorities of local government?
How are libraries engaging with the arts/artists to serve their micro-communities?
What are some ways that arts groups/artists and local/county government have partnered in your/a nearby micro-community?
2:30 – Synopsis of group discussions to this point from Create Wisconsin
2:40 – Follow up comments from the WI Arts Board
2:50 – Lightning Round #2 (5 questions in 10 minutes)
3:00 – What Haven’t We Covered Yet?
A time to ask questions, make “unreasonable requests,” and share knowledge
3:15 – Feedback and Forward!
3:30 – Next Steps
What will you follow up on when you are back in your community?
Planning for Arts in the Micro-Community 2.0: why/where/when/who
4:00 – Goodbye for Now!