Arts Wisconsin seeks community award nominees

Tom Giffey |

Past winners have come from all over the state, including Menomonie, Hudson, and Rice Lake, but not Eau Claire or Chippewa Falls (hint hint).

There’s growing recognition in the Chippewa Valley and elsewhere that the arts can be key to invigorating our communities. Now in their sixth year, the Arts in the Community Awards were created to recognize elected officials and other local leaders around Wisconsin “who champion innovative arts, arts education and/or creative economy programs, projects and opportunities in their communities.” The awards, presented by Arts Wisconsin and the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, are given annually to two individuals, one from a community larger than 20,000, one from a community smaller than 20,000. Past winners have come from all over the state, including Menomonie, Hudson, and Rice Lake, but not Eau Claire or Chippewa Falls (hint hint). According to Arts Wisconsin, “Nominees and their model programs or projects should demonstrate leadership through creative approaches to integrating the arts with civic strategies and have broad and diverse community support.” If this sounds like someone you know, the deadline is fast approaching: Nominations are due via email by 5pm Wednesday, Aug. 13. To learn more, visit www.artswisconsin.org or contact Anne Katz, executive director of Arts Wisconsin, at (608) 255-8316 or akatz@artswisconsin.org.