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Finance committee approves $30,000 grant for MadLit series amid appeals from artists and vendors
Summary
The Madison Finance Committee voted unanimously to authorize a $30,000 grant from Small Business Equity and Recovery Program funds to Urban Community Arts Network for the MadLit event series. Dozens of registrants testified on the event's cultural and economic impact; council members asked about sustainability and competitive funding processes.
The Finance Committee on April 28 authorized a $30,000 grant to the Urban Community Arts Network to support the MadLit event series on the 100 block of State Street, using Small Business Equity and Recovery Program (SPER) funds.
The decision followed more than an hour of public testimony from artists, organizers and business owners who said MadLit creates paid performance opportunities, increases foot traffic for downtown businesses and builds community ties. "The Mad Lit event series is one of few spaces taking into consideration the need for our artist communities and our consumers of color to be with one another, all while offering fair payments to those participating in the series," said Tyler Brunsell, creative strategy coordinator for the Urban Community Arts Network.
The Urban Community Arts Network's representative, Karen Reese of District 14, told the committee the event fills recommendations from the city's 2019 task force on equity in music and entertainment and from the Sound Diplomacy report. "MadLit really fulfills that recommendation," Reese said, noting the event has received city support for multiple years and that a sudden, short-notice cut in funding this spring would force the organization to reduce programming from six events to four unless outside funds are found.
Speakers including artists Rob Franklin and Marcus Porter described how MadLit provides performance and business opportunities they said are not otherwise available downtown. "We're entering year five of MadLit," said Rob Franklin, representing Urban Community Arts Network. "All we're trying to do is do right by the town. That means making sure that all of us are heard and all of us get these opportunities." Marcus Porter said attendance has grown substantially, citing last year's figure of roughly 7,000 total attendees.
Committee members asked about the group's budget and sustainability plans. Reese said the organization's budget for the summer series is $85,000 to $100,000 (the higher figure assuming funding for a national act) and that approximately $30,000 of the budget this year was expected from the city. She said UCAN's overall strategy includes seeking corporate sponsors and grants and increasing individual and foundation giving.
Alder Madison asked organizers to explain the immediate impact of a partial cut. Karen Reese said $15,000 would likely require eliminating two events. Alder Evers suggested a future competitive funding process; Reese said UCAN would not oppose competition and is working to diversify revenue.
Alder Madison, who sponsored the motion to approve, said MadLit returns substantially more in visible economic and cultural activity than the city's investment and that rapid cuts with short notice create operational challenges for small organizations. The committee recorded a unanimous vote in favor of the grant.
The grant will be funded from the city's Small Business Equity and Recovery Program (SPER) allocation; UCAN also expects to pay permit-related fees to the city (Reese said last year's estimate was about $2,800). Committee members and UCAN staff said they will work on longer-term budget and competitive-process options for future years.
