29 Apr Dane County leaders call for supporting ‘cultural infrastructure’
Dozens attended the conference’s “Artists as Entrepreneurs” panel at the Arts + Literature Laboratory on South Livingston Street. RUTHIE HAUGE
Local artists need support now more than ever, Dane County Executive Melissa Agard said during a keynote address Friday to Madison-area arts organizations.
“People often talk about infrastructure, roads and bridges — and don’t get me wrong, that’s important,” Agard said. “But there is another kind of infrastructure that runs through our veins and is valued here in Dane County, and that’s cultural infrastructure.”
The precarious landscape for local artists was a central theme of the fourth annual Dane Arts Business of Art Conference — a series of panels, workshops and networking events that spanned Thursday to Saturday at the Arts + Literature Laboratory. The conference focuses on helping artists run a business and find government grants to maintain financial sustainability.
One Friday panel of four government arts officials and nonprofit directors gave advice to creators and organizations on how to interact with government officials, including how to advocate for greater government funding for their projects and the arts in general.
The panelists suggested making connections with lawmakers early because they won’t be likely to tap you for projects or funding if they aren’t familiar with your work. When pitching a project, the panelists said, come prepared to explain how it will help the larger community and stay in touch with local officials who may run for higher office in the future.