Dane County

Minutes - Final Unless Amended by

Committee

Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission Executive Committee

Friday, February 6, 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, Vice Chair Puleo Moyer, Supervisor Rose, Klehr,

Miquelon

Quorum was established

Staff: Mark Fraire, Augusta Brulla

Call to order at 8:31 a.m.

5 -

Present

Supervisor RICK ROSE, MARY KLEHR, FRAN PULEO MOYER, MARCIA

MIQUELON, and RODERICK RITCHERSON

B. Consideration of Minutes

[MINUTES FROM THE 01/09/2026 ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING]

1. 2025

MIN-534

Attachments: 2025 MIN-534

A motion was made by Klehr to approve the minutes of the 01/09/2026 Arts and

Cultural Affairs Executive Committee meeting.

The motion was carried unanimously by a voice vote.

2. Approve Commission meeting minutes from January 20, 2026

A motion was made by Puleo Moyer to recommend the minutes of the 1/20/26

Arts and Cultural Affairs Executive Committee meeting for approval by the full

commission.

The motion was carried unanimously by a voice vote.

C. Six-Month Priorities for Executive Committee/Commission

- Chair Ritcherson discussed the following priorities:

1. conduct smooth cycle one grant review and allocations process

2. Continue to align grant categories with Dane Arts mission

3. Approve new overall grant allocation model(s) and implementation timetable

4. Support/increase commissioner BOA participation

5. Conduct smooth elections process and officer transition

- Puleo Moyer added the priority: “To continue to develop plans for Dane Arts’

50th Anniversary activities”

D. Discuss Initial Takeaways from Stakeholder Survey

1. Funding entity vs programing entity

Chair Ritcherson articulated that Dane Arts is both funding and programming vs

one or the other, as mentioned in the survey comments.

2. Specific dollar amount grants (capital, short order)

Chair Ritcherson proposed discussing piloting a new funding model starting

with Capital grants, that awards specific dollar amount grants. This model could

be implemented as early as cycle 1 in 2026.

E. Branding Update

- Curet, Puleo Moyer, McKinney, and Dane Arts staff proposed updated Dane

Arts mission statement for discussion:

“To enrich the quality of life in Dane County, Wisconsin by supporting,

promoting and ensuring equitable access to the arts, culture, history and

creative expression for all residents.”

- A proposed vision statement will be presented to the commission for

discussion during the March commission meeting.

- Three target areas categories were identified as Program Partners, Program

Beneficiaries/Customers, and Government partners and Support

Constituencies

F. Areas of Focus

- Chair Ritcherson encouraged commissioners to continue working on their

self-identified Areas of Focus: branding, 50th anniversary planning, stakeholder

survey, and web grants improvements

- One of Vice Chair Puleo Moyer’s current areas of focus is planning Dane Arts’

50th Anniversary activities. Three main sub-topics were identified including, 1.)

Branding, Story, Messaging, 2.) Activities and Events, 3.) Impact, legacy,

Fundraising Opportunities

G. Executive Director’s Report

1. 2026 department priorities, goals, plans

- Presenters, keynotes, and venues have been confirmed for the Business of

Art Conference V taking place April 23 - 24.

- 2026 Cycle 1 applications have closed with 102 total application received

including 7 Capital, 23 Short Order, and 72 Project.

2. Individual artists

3. Update on strategic planning with consultant

4. Meeting with County Executive

H. Future Meeting Items and Dates

1. Next meeting date

- The next Executive Committee meeting is Friday, March 6th at 8:30 a.m.

- The next Commission meeting is Tuesday, February 17th at 8:30 a.m.

2. Develop February Commission Meeting Agenda:

The February Commission Meeting Agenda was developed.

I. Public Comment on Items not on the Agenda

None.

J. Such Other Business as Allowed by Law

None.

K. Adjourn

A motion was made by Miquelon to adjourn.

Meeting adjourned at 9:33 a.m.