The Wisconsin Foundation for the Arts (WFA) evolved from a series of arts organizations, the first of which was formed in 1957 to promote the establishment of a state-supported arts agency. Once that was accomplished in 1973 with the creation of the Wisconsin Arts Board, WFA’s focus changed to “citizen advocacy.” The message, stated so many times by the Foundation’s first chair Jerry Bartell, is “The arts are for everyone. Support. Enjoy!”

In 1980, the Foundation initiated the “Governor’s Awards in Support of the Arts.” Five successive Wisconsin governors—Lee Dreyfus, Tony Earl, Tommy Thompson, Scott McCallum and Jim Doyle—have partnered with WFA in honoring more than 135 individuals, businesses and organizations whose extraordinary contributions to the vitality of the arts in local communities or statewide were deserving of recognition.

That recognition has included a personalized citation of honor signed by the Governor, along with a gift of original art, representative of the exceptional quality of the work produced by our state’s talented visual artists.

With the cooperation of the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association and numerous commercial and public television stations throughout the state, an annual television program built around the Governor’s Awards ceremony has been viewed by thousands of Wisconsin residents. It provides an elegant illustration of recipients’ exceptional contributions to the arts, along with a tribute to the commissioned artist and artwork.

I hope you enjoy this Web site. Browse through the images produced by WFA commissioned artists dating back to 1980; review the names of Wisconsin’s outstanding arts supporters from across the state; take note of our committed advisory committee members, and scan back issues of our Arts Letter. And find a link to the nomination form to submit a nomination for next year’s Governor’s Awards in Support of the Arts.

Finally, I encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity to become a Foundation member. The WFA is a nonprofit, tax-exempt public organization supported solely by membership dues and contributions. We need you.

Remember, the arts are for everyone. Support. Enjoy!