In early 2000 the Portage County Arts Alliance was established with the intention of creating a centralized arts advocacy agent in Portage County. Funding for the Arts Alliance was initially provided through a generous grant of $50, 000 from the State of Wisconsin. Between September 2000 and March 2001 an "Arts Assessment and Plan for Portage County" was conducted, under the direction of the Wisconsin Arts Board, the Wisconsin Assembly for Local Arts, and the Arts Peers Advisory Program. The "Assessment and Plan" recommendations were: Bill Schierl (Pres.), Ronda Wadina (V.P.), Paula Schlice (Treas.), Monica Anderson (Sec.), In December 2004 the Board took part in Strategic Planning Sessions to identify the objectives and goals of this art agent, and established the official name of this non-profit organization: Arts & Culture Fund of Porage County co-founded at the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin to provide grants to support the arts in Portage County. Sustainable Financial Plan implemented, including long term Cornerstone Members, annual Memberships, fundraising events, consulting services and grant writing. Grants Received: Community Foundation of Portage County 2006 grant to hold 4 Artist Town Meetings and two 2007 Donor Advised grants for Operations; Stevens Point Arts Council grant for 2008 Community Show production; a Stevens Point Room Tax grant for the development of a sculture park; Stevens Point 150th Committee for the production of the 2008 Community Show; Wisconsin Arts Board matching grant for the development of a Public Art Master Plan, working with the county planning commission. Ongoing operational grants from the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin and project grants from the Stevens Point Arts Council. Researched the Economic Imapct of the Arts on the local economy (using the American For the Arts calculator) and determined local art organizations contribute over $4 million annually in economy impact. Published in the United Way's LIFE Report, shared with local government and state Department of Tourism. Consulting Services: local visual artists working to open a gallery; community group working to open a sculpture park; local gallery owner looking to expand. local arts organization's events. In 2008, turned into ArtsMonth with facilitating Apirl become arts month in Stevens Point and Portage County. ArtsWalk - each May in Stevens Point on Main Street 29+ retail shops display and sell over 90 local artists' work. Artists' Town Meetings held: annual meetings facilitated a fine art gallery/sale, another supported emerging film makers through a workshop with a professional film director, the other set the groundwork for a public sculpture park, and another meeting established art group collaborations and co-marketing. Advocay meetings semi-annually with local and state government, and business representatives. Executive Director's Professional Development: AFTA conference; Board Development and Fundraising; Marketing; Public Art development; Marketing through Stories; historic theater renovation. As a non-profit organization, the Arts Alliance of Portage County's financial stability is primarily based on individual membership, donations and fund-raising. A small part of the AAPC's budget comes from the Arts & Culture Fund of Portage County, held at the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin. This fund was established in 2004, through a contribution from Robert and Ann Shannon's "Seed-a-Future Fund" and a $10, 000 contribution from the Arts Alliance of Portage County. As intended, 75% of the Arts & Culture Fund of Portage County annual earnings provide grants for the arts in Portage County, distributed by the Community Foundation. The remaing 25% of the Arts & Culture Fund of Portage County annual earnings supports the operational needs of Arts Alliance The vast majority of operational funding is raised through our annual events and sponsorships, Memberships, and grants. Significant support is
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