Creative capital is key

Anne Katz

In this environment, Wisconsin is seeking to redefine its traditional economies and build a new economy for the future. A major part of the solution is right in front of us, our creative industries.

It's been proven from New England to New Zealand that the arts, culture, creativity and innovation are integral to strong and sustained economic, educational and civic success. Here's how: Arts-related businesses, institutions and organizations incubate, attract and keep a diverse mix of residents; they encourage small-business development and entrepreneurism; keep downtowns and neighborhoods healthy; and educate children to be creative problem solvers and innovators.

Americans for the Arts, the national service organization for the arts, recently released a study of the nation's creative industries showing that Wisconsin currently boasts more than 8,000 creative industry businesses, supporting more than 43,000 fulltime jobs. Wisconsin's nonprofit arts industry generates an estimated $290 million in economic activity annually, including $38 million in local and state tax revenues.

In addition to high-profile projects such as Madison's Overture Center for the Arts, nearly 100 Wisconsin communities, including DeForest, Verona and Edgerton, have new or renovated cultural centers representing more than $500 million in private investment. More than half of these are attached to schools in small towns and rural areas as comprehensive cultural centers used by the entire community.

In rural areas, there are a growing number of studio and gallery art tours, such as the Fall Art Tour west of Madison. These events attract thousands of visitors to observe artists at work, and they add their dollars to the local economy during their stay.

Beloit and Mazomanie's arts incubators have encouraged downtown development, and the Barrymore Theatre has helped revitali ze Madison's Schenk-Atwood neighborhood.

The arts are also a major factor in tourism, Wisconsin's second largest industry. A 2001 National Travel Survey found that 65 percent of adult travelers included the arts in their trips, and that cultural tourists stay longer and spend more money.

Wisconsin has all the tools in place: talented people, highquality arts opportunities, authentic communities and worldclass educational institutions. The work of creative people, institutions and businesses is becoming recognized as the foundation of economic and community revitalization efforts throughout south-central Wisconsin and the rest of the state. These programs, projects and activities not only add texture and meaning to our lives, but they are critical to Wisconsin's sustained success in the global economy.

We can't take these creative assets for granted ? our industries, people and communities will be left behind if we do not strategically and collaboratively take advantage of the opportunities provided by the creative sector.

Here are just a few strategies to enhance Wisconsin's creative development:

• Inventory and support local and statewide creative economy assets and strategies.
• Encourage communities to integrate the arts into regional development efforts.
• Assert arts education as a priority, since it has been shown that kids who participate in the arts perform better in reading and math, think and organize ideas more clearly, behave better, and are better prepared to be productive participants in the workforce.

These and other strategies help make the case that the arts and culture are good business, and that investment in creativity equals community health and vitality.

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