Finance committee approves $30,000 grant for MadLit; organizers warn short notice could force event cuts

The Madison Finance Committee voted unanimously April 28 to approve a $30,000 grant from the Small Business Equity and Recovery (SBER) Program to Urban Community Arts Network (UCAN) to support the MadLit event series on the 100 block of State Street.

Supporters, including performers and business owners, told the committee the series provides a rare, consistent downtown venue for Black, Indigenous and other artists of color and generates foot traffic for nearby businesses. “Mad Lit is an essential event series contributing to the continued growth of our music ecosystem,” said Tyler Brunsell, creative strategy coordinator for Urban Community Arts Network.

Why it matters: Committee members and registrants said the grant advances city recommendations on music equity and tourism while directly paying artists and small vendors. Organizers told the committee that a sudden reduction in city support with only months to plan would likely force them to cut events.

Committee action and funding source The committee approved a…