Wisconsin Arts Board committee says grant awards await state guidance; contracts expected after numbers are finalized

At a July meeting of the Wisconsin Arts Board External Relations Committee, staff told members that the board is still waiting for finalized budget figures and agency guidance before it can issue grant contracts and public messaging. Staff said the timing depends on directives from the state Department of Administration and the tourism agency and on federal figures.

Committee Chair Chella opened the discussion by reviewing survey findings and noting that staff had folded those takeaways into the budget requests submitted earlier this year. Vivian, a staff member, summarized outreach and said staff are sharing the survey summaries with partners such as Create Wisconsin for advocacy and resource connections.

Caitlin, a staff member, said staff have been working with leadership to prepare awards but cannot finalize contracts until budget numbers are confirmed. "It's been a waiting game, and we're really ready to send out grant agreements and get those awards out, but nothing final final right now," she said. Staff indicated a goal to issue contracts by the end of this month if the outstanding figures are received. Caitlin also told the committee that "George has been going back and forth with DOA's legal about the executive orders and what the implications of that on our funds and our programs, and we're still just ironing that out." The committee discussed the need to coordinate messaging with the Department of Administration (DOA) and the tourism agency before public communications about the budget's effects.

Members asked for clarity about what the adopted budget includes and how it will affect local organizations. Several committee members said constituents are asking what the budget means for local grants and operations; staff answered that interpretation depends on incoming guidance and final allocations. The group noted that the recently passed film incentives and the film office provision were considered separately and that staff are coordinating with the tourism agency to explain implications.

Staff committed to circulate the survey key takeaways and supporting documents to committee members and to post materials on the board's Google Drive for those with access. The committee agreed that the next full board meeting in September will be an important opportunity to provide a clear path once DOA and tourism directives and final numbers are available.

The meeting produced no formal motion or vote on budget allocations. The committee recorded discussion items, requests for staff follow-up on messaging and contracts, and a planned September update to the full board.