Lately I've been saying, in conversations and speeches, that this is a time of great opportunity for the arts. People look at me like I'm crazy. How can there be any hope for the arts in the middle of the worst recession in 75 years? The difficult economic times have affected every aspect of our lives, personally and professionally. In general, there is a sense that we are losing ground while working even harder to catch up.  There doesn't seem to be an answer or a solution, or an end, to the myriad local and global problems we face.

So let me be clear - I agree that it's a terribly anxious and disquieting time for the arts, and for every person, every organization and business, and every community in this country. There are critical issues for the short term that we must all deal with. As director of a small nonprofit organization, I lie awake at night worrying just like everyone else. The rent demands to be paid, tomorrow (or actually, yesterday).  But, as important and as pressing as those short term issues are for us all, it's precisely because the times are extraordinary that it's a time of great opportunity for the arts.  We must turn focus and vision to the long-term opportunities ahead for the arts, and for all of us, locally and globally. The 21st century world demands new ways of thinking and doing. So what's going to get us out of the mess we're in?  Creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship-all qualities inherent in and integral to arts participation and involvement.

In times like these, we need the arts more than ever, in so many ways. We need the arts because creative expression is fundamental to the human condition. And we need the arts because creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship will move us, locally and globally, out of the economic downturn and forward, to:
•    revive and stimulate the economy
•    create locally-based, sustainable jobs
•    educate our children for the 21st century workforce
•    enliven our communities large and small and bring diverse communities together
•    enhance and strengthen a community's competitive edge.

There are a lot of distractions out there, and progress is slow. But really, here in Wisconsin and around the country, I see growing understanding and receptiveness from elected officials, decision-makers, arts people, corporate and business leaders, educators, and civic leaders that these times demand new ways of thinking and doing, and that the arts can be part of the solution.

The door is open for bold action.  As arts leaders, let's stop wringing our hands and using the word "crisis." Let's start using the word "opportunity."