Dane County  
Minutes - Final Unless Amended by  
Committee  
Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission Executive Committee  
Friday, March 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, Miquelon  
Excused: Klehr, Supervisor Rose  
Quorum was established  
Staff: Mark Fraire, Augusta Brulla  
Call to order at 8:31 a.m.  
3 - MARCIA MIQUELON, RODERICK RITCHERSON, and FRAN PULEO MOYER  
Present  
Excused  
2 - Supervisor RICK ROSE, and MARY KLEHR  
B. Consideration of Minutes  
[MINUTES FROM THE 02/06/2026 ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS  
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING]  
1. 2025  
MIN-600  
Attachments: 2025 MIN-600  
A motion was made by Miquelon to approve the minutes from the 02/06/2026 Arts  
and Cultural Affairs Executive Committee meeting.  
The motion was carried unanimously by a voice vote.  
2. Approve Commission meeting minutes from February 17, 2026  
A motion was made by Puleo Moyer to recommend the minutes from the 02/17/26  
Arts and Cultural Affairs Executive Committee meeting for approval by the full  
commission.  
The motion was carried unanimously by a voice vote.  
C. Planning for 2026 Cycle One Grants Review  
1. Number of overall applications/dollar amount of requests/percent increase/decrease  
103 applications were received in 2026 Cycle 1, with $346,000 in total requests.  
This reflects a 39% increase in number of applications from 2025 Cycle 1, and  
a 26% increase in the total dollar amount of requests.  
2. Number of capital grant applications/dollar amount of requests/percent increase/decrease  
The number of capital grant applications and requested dollars is nearly  
identical to 2025 Cycle 1.  
3. Number of short order applications/dollar amount of requests/percent increase/decrease  
23 short order applications were received in 2026 cycle 1, with $22,216 in total  
requests. This reflects a 360% increase in number of applications and a 399%  
increase in the total dollar amount of requests.  
4. Anticipated overall 2026 grants budget (gross)  
Director Fraire estimated that the 2026 grant budget is approximately $176,000.  
The exact total will be presented at the March 17th commission meeting.  
5. Approve 2026 cycle one grants budget (gross) (action item)  
- A discussion took place around allocating 55% of the total budget for Cycle 1,  
and 45% for Cycle 2.  
- Consensus was that the Executive Committee will recommend a total budget  
of $96,800 (55% of $176,00) for 2026 Cycle 1 awards. The total may be  
adjusted depending on confirmation of total 2026 grant budget.  
6. Approve cycle one capital grants budget (action item)  
The commission determined that the Capital Grant budget is not to exceed 5%  
of total available funds in any given cycle, resulting in a recommendation of a  
budget limit of $4,840.  
7. Anticipated short order budget  
To be discussed during the March 17th commission meeting.  
8. Anticipated number of review panels/reviewers/stipend amount  
Six panels with five panelists each have been confirmed for a total of 30  
panelists. Each panelist is offered a $100 honorarium for a total grant panelist  
budget of $3,000 this cycle.  
9. Anticipated (net) 2026 cycle one grant pool dollar amount  
To be confirmed at the March 17th commission meeting.  
10. Dates of panel reviews/chairs secured  
Four of six chairs have been secured. Two chairs are needed for March 26th  
and March 27th panels.  
11. WebGrants updates  
Dane Arts staff will send commissioners grant assignments and instructions on  
March 9th.  
D. Dane Arts Mission/Vision Statements  
1. Review mission statement (from last meeting) before commission approval  
- The current and proposed mission statements were discussed and will be  
presented during the March 17th commission meeting:  
- Current: “Engaging participation, connecting people, and inspiring expressive  
living in Dane County, Wisconsin.”  
- Proposed: “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.”  
2. Discuss vision statement before commission approval  
- The current and proposed vision statements were discussed and will be  
presented during the March 17th commission meeting:  
- Current: All Dane County citizens and residents leading expressive lives in  
connection with one another.  
- Proposed: The arts as a vital civic force - strengthening connection and  
belonging, fostering growth, and igniting a vibrant, creative community.  
E. Commission Portal  
Dane Arts staff recommend discontinuing use of the Commissioner portal.  
F. Executive Director’s Report  
1. BOA update  
Director Fraire provided an overview of current Dane Arts activities, including  
50th Anniversary planning and the Business of Art Conference.  
2. Update on strategic planning with consultant  
Director Fraire plans to meet with a strategic planner in late spring.  
G. Future Meeting Items and Dates  
1. Develop March Commission Meeting Agenda  
2. Events Calendar  
3. Next Meeting Date  
- Executive Committee: Friday, April 10th, 8:30 a.m.  
- Commission: Tuesday, April 14th, 8:30 a.m.  
H. Public Comment on Items not on the Agenda  
None.  
I. Such Other Business as Allowed by Law  
None.  
J. Adjourn  
A motion was made by Miquelon to adjourn.  
Meeting adjourned at 9:18 a.m.  
Minutes respectfully submitted by Augusta Brulla pending commission approval.