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Board staff report outreach gains; 50th awards near completion and Poetry Out Loud champ named
Summary
Staff reported stronger online presence and outreach at the governor's tourism conference, the 50th-anniversary grant approvals are nearly complete, and Riley Stemann won a third state Poetry Out Loud title to advance to nationals.
Board staff reported increased external engagement after the governor's conference on tourism in La Crosse, citing a new printed marketplace product, an evolving website and higher Instagram mentions.
Caitlin Burrows and external relations staff said teams are coordinating with regional tourism specialists, the Department of Natural Resources parks division and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation's Office of Rural Prosperity to connect county grantees with additional state resources. Staff also noted a planned listening session and technical assistance for prospective applicants to improve application quality and reach new communities.
On awards, staff said 19 of 22 fiftyth-anniversary grant applications have been approved; three remaining applicants from Pepin, Jackson and Trempealeau counties were expected to submit final budgets by late March. Staff said checks will be issued once budgets are finalized.
The board also heard that the state Poetry Out Loud championship was held March 1 and that Riley Stemann won her third state title; staff said the NEA increased Poetry Out Loud support from $20,000 to $25,000 this year, allowing funding for the program coordinator to attend the national competition in Washington, D.C.
Staff promoted two upcoming items: Create Wisconsin Day on March 25, when advocates will meet legislators, and an Arts Midwest webinar (March 19) on federal executive orders and related legal developments affecting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Board members were encouraged to attend and to use scheduled local legislative days — such as Door County's — to raise the per-capita funding issue with legislators.
