Dane County

Minutes - Final Unless Amended by

Committee

Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission Executive Committee

Friday, January 9, 2026

8:30 AM

Hybrid Meeting: Attend in person at the City County

Building in Room 209; attend virtually via Zoom.

A. Call To Order

Present: Chair Ritcherson, Klehr, Miquelon

Excused: Puleo Moyer, Rose

Additional commissioners: Deshawn McKinney

Quorum was established

Staff: Mark Fraire, Augusta Brulla

Call to order at 8:32 a.m.

3 - RODERICK RITCHERSON, MARY KLEHR, and MARCIA MIQUELON

Present

Excused

2 - Supervisor RICK ROSE, and FRAN PULEO MOYER

B. Consideration of Minutes

[MINUTES FROM THE 10/31/2025 ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING]

1. 2025

MIN-475

Attachments: 2025 MIN-475

A motion was made by Klehr to approve the minutes from the 10/10/25 Arts and

Cultural Affairs Executive Committee meeting.

The motion was carried unanimously by a voice vote.

2. Approve Commission meeting minutes from November 10, 2025

A motion was made by Klehr to recommend the minutes from the 10/10/25 Arts

and Cultural Affairs Executive Committee meeting for approval by the full

commission.

The motion was carried unanimously by a voice vote.

C. Brief report from Commissioner McKinney (tentative)

- Late last year, commissioner McKinney held focus groups to hear from

community funding recipient stakeholders

- This community initiative was developed in response to limited available grant

funds and increasing requests for funding. McKinney sought to determine if the

current funding model continues to meet community needs, and whether other

funding models should be considered.

- 200 individuals responded via surveys and focus groups. A limitation of the

findings is that respondents are majority Madison residents.

- Findings revealed that Dane Arts is perceived as successfully meeting the

mission (engaging participation, connecting people, and inspiring expressive

living in Dane County), but articulating the mission is difficult was difficult for

focus group respondents.

- In response to alternative funding models, respondents did not favor limiting

access to awards in any way (funding less applications, but fully). Community

members expressed value in an endorsement from Dane Arts. Interest was

expressed in creating application segmentation based on operating budget size.

- Legacy funding opportunities that exist with the Madison Arts Commission and

the Wisconsin Arts Board that demonstrate trust-based processes for

established organizations were refenced favorably.

- Respondents noted the importance of transparency around how funding is

distributed so that applicants may anticipate potential grant award amounts

accurately.

- A trust-based model enabling organizations to execute their creative vision

was commonly noted as highly favorable.

- Beyond grants, conversations around cultivating a healthy arts ecosystem

developed within focus groups.

D. Staff Recommendations on Alternative Grant Allocations Models

- Dane Arts staff recommendations will be formed based on community

feedback.

- After McKinney’s findings are discussed and synthesized, Dane Arts staff will

propose changes. A timeline to implement an updated funding model with

adequate time to communicate changes to the community will also be

proposed.

E. Commissioner Roster Update

1. New Commissioner

- Executive Agard recently appointed a new member to the Dane Arts

Commission.

- Commissioner on-boarding will be conducted by Vice Chair Puleo Moyer.

2. Renewal/replacement process

New process: Commissioners will be asked to send a letter directly to the

County Executive via email indicating whether or not they would like to seek

term renewal. Chair Ritcherson will communicate this process with the County

Executive.

F. Friends of Dane Arts Update

- Bylaws call for up to nine board members, and four board members have

been appointed. Each board member has their own area of expertise.

- Friends of Dane Arts is a membership organization with potential for annual

income streams. Options for membership incentives will be discussed.

- Chair Ritcherson will open a bank account for the Friends group today.

G. Executive Director’s Report

1. 2026 overall activities projections

- Dane Arts will deeply focus on specific annual projects and programs as well

as planning for the 50th anniversary of Dane Arts.

- Key annual activities include the grant program, calendar and poster, business

of art conference, and Social RX collaboration.

2. 2026 anticipated issues

None.

H. Future Meeting Items and Dates

The next Commission meeting: Tuesday, January 20, 8:30 AM.

I. Public Comment on Items not on the Agenda

None.

J. Such Other Business as Allowed by Law

None.