Purpose: Improve the economy of the region by expanding existing and developing new art-related businesses and pARTnerships.
ArtsBuild: In 2004, the Office of Continuing Education (OCE) at UW-Platteville undertook a bold and innovative venture in support of rural artists in Southwest Wisconsin. Realizing that the arts are an untapped resource in the local economy, the OCE launched ArtsBuild to assist area artists in acquiring the skills they need to become entrepreneurs, thus helping to drive economic development in their communities. Initially supported through funding from a University of Wisconsin-Extension Continuing EDvantage grant, the program currently moves forward with financial support from the University of Wisconsin - Platteville and the Wisconsin Arts Board. The long-term funding goal for ArtsBuild is to transition from the grant funds that launched it to becoming a self-sustaining program.
Program Focus"The Artists Making a Living Workshop was a real jump starter for me. I wasn't aware that there were so many, even any, free resources to help artists become professional business people. Specific information, which I found valuable, concerned developing a portfolio, approaching galleries, writing an artist's statement, having a monthly plan and a yearly plan, the need for a website, keeping track of expenses, and how to price work. Many of the suggestions I have already put in practice and look forward to following up on others. Thanks so much and keep me posted about any other workshops, etc."
"The Tri-State area is a melting pot for artisans of all segments of the arts - a brochure or catalogue of artists and their specialties is a starting point to educating regional communities about what these artisans and their businesses have to offer."
Networking: Since its inception, ArtsBuild's efforts have focused on assisting artists and creative entrepreneurs in southwest Wisconsin. Initially holding grassroots, informational visits in 8 local communities (in 7 counties - Crawford, Grant, Green, Iowa, Lafayette, Richland, Sauk), with over 200 area artists attending. The database created through the programs efforts to identify artists throughout the region has grown to include over 350 area artists and creative entrepreneurs.
Education: In response to survey feedback from participants, ArtsBuild has sponsored workshops, training, topical conversations, mentoring and networking opportunities. As of Fall 2006, over 38 educational and other activities have been offered with over 340 registrations. In addition, a mentoring project was piloted in February, 2005 - 19 interested participants were paired with 11 participating mentors.
Marketing: Increasing visibility and connecting artists with each other and with local, regional and statewide arts, business & economic development resources was strengthened with the publication
of the first ever, printed 2005 Directory of Artists in Southwest Wisconsin. The directory was a
direct result of funding from the Trelay Company of Livingston, WI and was distributed throughout the region. An online version can be viewed on the ArtsBuild website www.uwplatt.edu/cont_ed/artsbuild.
Partnerships: Strong working partnerships were developed with area arts organizations, Main Street programs, Chambers of Commerce, county UW-Extension offices, regional economic development organizations and statewide arts agencies like the Wisconsin Arts Board and Arts Wisconsin. These pARTnerships contribute to the scope and the success of the project, connecting area arts organizations and creative entrepreneurs with expanded resources.
Different Voices, One VisionThe ArtsBuild SmART Communities Project: In 2005, the SmART Communities project - an extension of ArtsBuild - began working with local community leaders to promote the arts as a valuable economic asset.
The project successfully formed a 17 member ArtsBuild Regional Committee and five area task forces with 40 additional individuals working to plan, promote and facilitate SmART Community sessions throughout the region. Over 150 people attended the sessions, including artists, civic leaders, business owners and area youth.
Through brainstorming sessions, participants discussed the role of the arts, historic preservation and cultural activities on community and economic development - identifying:
- existing arts assets & resources
- partnerships & collaborations that could be formed & expanded
- resources needed to support future activities
Program receives statewide recognition:
- Spring 2006 - ArtsBuild recognized by Wisconsin Rural Partners as the 2006 Top Rural Development Initiative in the state. The award was based on ArtsBuild's 'spirit of partnership and collaboration in creating positive community impacts
- Fall 2006 - ArtsBuild SmART Communities receives the University of Wisconsin Extension's 2006 Award for Excellence in Civic Engagement for increasing the business capacity of arts entrepreneurs and helping communities realize the importance of arts to a vital economy.
"The idea for one of Wisconsin's foremost rural economic development efforts germinated at UW-Platteville, engaged the surrounding area and now stands to inform regional development across the state. Their unique wisdom: building a solid economic base on the arts and culture industry - a growing sector and a magnet for the talented workforce and the businesses that follow it. The ArtsBuild model, developed in partnership with the UWP Continuing Education Office, drives communities to inventory and revalue their cultural assets, make entrepreneurs of artists and turn innovative collaborations into powerful forces to leverage new investment and economic activity in a region. It is a story I tell all across the state."
--Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton
SmART Plan for Action:
"By providing additional aid to support existing community arts activities we can expand the appeal to younger audiences."
- Engage in conversations integrating arts and culture into community economic development plans.
- Identify and preserve the regions artistic, cultural, historic and creative assets.
- Recognize and support the artists and creative entrepreneurs who are part of our region's creative identity - attend performances & events - purchase & display local artist's work.
- Collaboration and pARTnerships between area artists, arts organizations, local businesses and institutions.
- Advocate for and support arts education in your community.
- Public investment in the arts, culture, creativity and innovation strengthens the state's competitive edge in economic development, downtown revitalization, educational advancement, tourism opportunities, and community engagement.
Contact US! For more information about ArtsBuild and ArtsBuild SmART Communities: www.uwplatt.edu/cont_ed/artsbuild or contact: Carole Spelic', ArtsBuild Program Coordinator, University of Wisconsin - Platteville Office of Continuing Education, spelicc@uwplatt.edu or 608-342-1314 / 1-888-281-9472.