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 substitute ordinance authorizing a $30,000 grant from SBER funds and the signing of an agreement with UCAN. The motion was moved and seconded and recorded as a unanimous voice vote.

Organizers' case and budget details Karen Reese, representing Urban Community Arts Network, told the committee that UCAN has budgeted $85,000 for the summer series and was seeking the $30,000 from the city; if a national act is secured the total could rise toward $100,000. Reese said the $30,000 from the city represents roughly a third of UCAN’s current budget plan for the series and that, without the full $30,000, “we would likely have to cut a couple of the events from the program.” She said MadLit had previously relied on private sponsors including Exact Sciences, TrueStage, American Family, Summit Credit Union and ProMEGA as well as some small personal donations.

Reese and other speakers also referenced two studies the city has funded: the 2018–19 Task Force on Equity in Music and Entertainment report and a Sound Diplomacy report evaluating Madison’s music economy. Reese said MadLit addresses Task Force recommendation No. 4 calling for city support for a festival featuring hip-hop, dance and visual arts.

Local impact and community testimony Multiple performers and business owners said MadLit draws diverse crowds and benefits downtown businesses. Marcus Porter, an early MadLit performer, told the committee the series drew “7,000 people” in a recent year and that the event helps artists and small businesses gain visibility. Karen Reese listed specific businesses that reported increased sales during MadLit nights and said the event has no history of major public-safety incidents.

Process and next steps Several committee members said they supported the grant but asked staff to examine longer-term structures for city support. Alder Evers suggested creating a competitive process for future years so other organizations could apply for similar funds; the committee discussed working with Economic Development staff and alder offices to consider options for succeeding years.

Budget context and fees Committee members clarified that the SBER fund total referenced by speakers was $500,000 and that UCAN’s requested allocation from that fund represented a modest share (speakers characterized it as approximately 6% of the $500,000 SBER pool). Reese told the committee the estimated fees UCAN would pay back to the city last year were about $2,800.

Public engagement Organizers said 59 registrants had expressed support and that one registrant had been marked as opposed by mistake and had actually sent an email of support. Several alderpeople praised UCAN’s community outreach and encouraged staff to work on a sustainable funding strategy.

What was not decided The committee approved the one-year $30,000 grant and authorized executing the agreement; it did not adopt any permanent budgetary commitment or change city grant processes. Members signaled interest in designing a more formal or competitive process for future support but did not set a formal requirement in this action.

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