Press

Keeping culture alive: Mayo’s artwork on display at Dane Arts Gallery - January 22, 2026 | Oregon Oberver

• Oregon artist Desere Mayo is becoming a fixture in the area art scene, and once again will have her recent works on display at the City-County Building in Madison.

Dane Arts to host fifth annual Business of Art Conference April 23-24 in Madison - January 15, 2026 | Madison365

• Dane County Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission (Dane Arts) is inviting all artists, educators, and entrepreneurs to participate in the fifth annual Business of Art Conference on April 23-24.

Dane Arts announces Business of Art Conference - January 14, 2026 | InBusiness

• Dane County Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission (Dane Arts), a primary arts funding arm for Dane County, announced its fifth annual Business of Art Conference on Wednesday. 

DANE ARTS AND STARTINGBLOCK MADISON CONTINUE TO FOSTER INTERSECTIONS BETWEEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND THE ARTS WITH TWO NEW ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE - March 24, 2022 | StartingBlock Madison

• "StartingBlock is eager to grow its partnership with Dane Arts to support local artists and to give their members access to new resources, expertise, and experiences that foster creative thinking and business growth."

STARTINGBLOCK’S NEW ARTIST IN RESIDENCE FINDS POETRY IN EAVESDROPPING ON EVERYDAY LANGUAGE - December 6, 2021 | Madison 365

• "StartingBlock named Sasha Debevec-McKenney as its new artist in residence, one of a number of steps the entrepreneurial org has taken to engage with the arts."

• "We take this time this week dedicated to giving thanks, to appreciate the recent announcement that Dane County is awarding 46 grants to arts and cultural organizations across the county, totaling $100,000."

SUN PRAIRIE USES ART TO EDUCATE ABOUT STORM WATER POLLUTION - August 17, 2021 | WKOW

• "On Tuesday, the city began a project with the Storm Drain Mural Program, which aims inform the public about the dangers and lasting effects of stormwater pollution into Dane County lakes, rivers and streams."

LOCAL ARTIST RODRIGO CARAPIA CREATES FORWARD MADISON’S GAME POSTER FOR TONIGHT’S MATCHUP - June 30, 2021 | Madison 365

• "Dane Arts initiated creating game day posters with Forward Madison FC back in 2019 and Carapia was able to make the connection to commission this artwork for the Flamingos through Mark Fraire, director of Dane Arts."

APPLY NOW: DANE ARTS TO DISTRIBUTE $1 MILLION GRANT AMONG 400 STRUGGLING LOCAL ARTISTS - May 30, 2021 | Channel 3000

• "Once approved, each artist will receive a check for $2,500."

DANE COUNTY BOARD APPROVES $1 MILLION TO SUPPORT ARTISTS - May 21, 2021 | Waunakee Tribune 

• "The Dane County Board, at its meeting on May 20, voted unanimously to allocate $1 million in federal funding to help local artists impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic."

DANE COUNTY ANNOUNCES $1 MILLION RECOVERY PROGRAM FOR ARTISTS, PERFORMERS - April 21, 2021 | Channel 3000

• "The program will award $2,500 grants to eligible artists and performers and be administered by Dane Arts, which was formerly known as Dane County Cultural Affairs."

DANE COUNTY ANNOUNCES $1MIL COVID RECOVERY PROGRAM FOR LOCAL ARTISTS AND PERFORMERS - April 21, 2021 | Madison 365

• "Dane County is making a bold investment in the many diverse artists and creators to help provide the resources needed to emerge from this pandemic.”
   

• "The grants are a down payment on a future where the arts are thriving, artists are compensated fairly, and theaters, galleries, classes and events are populated with living human beings. They are a recognition of the resilience and creativity that has helped arts organizations weather precipitous drops in revenue."
   

• "Mark Fraire, Dane County Director of Arts and Cultural Affairs said, 'In alignment with Dane County’s continued efforts to support the local economy during this pandemic and to honor diversity, inclusion, and equity in all arenas, Dane Arts supports this effort to develop a comprehensive strategic plan to generate a stronger more robust music industry.'"
   

• "County Executive Joe Parisi and the Dane County Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission announced Wednesday 49 project and short order grants totaling $128,583 are being awarded in Cycle 2 for “Dane Arts” project grants in 2020. "
   

• "Dane Arts Buy Local Market (DABL) is offering online public presentations for working artists and allies."
   

• "It’s critical to recognize and highlight our neighbors whose stories begin elsewhere, or who trace their roots to other parts of the world. Only then will we truly appreciate the contributions we all make to the prosperity of our communities, our state and our nation."
   

• "In the current moment, we should frame public arts spending as a way to advance economic justice, help all members of our community experience more rewarding lives, and address social ills by expanding opportunity and education rather than investing in state violence."
   

• "During the pandemic, Madison's public arts funding agencies have learned how to work faster and secure emergency support from their partners in local government."
   

• "This year, Dane Arts expects to award over $250,000 in public-private funds to nonprofit organizations, schools, individuals, and municipalities for arts, cultural, and local history projects and programs."
   

• "The diversity and range of the artists who received Dane Arts Need Grants (DANG!) is awe-inspiring. They are storytellers, printmakers, fiber artists, musicians, aerial dancers, music teachers, painters, performance artists, comedians and theatrical scenic artists. They all live in Dane County, and have faced partial or total loss of income since mid-March when Madison and much of the world had to shut down events and gatherings to prevent the spread of COVID-19."
   

• "Dane County Executive Joe Parisi joined the Dane County Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission to debut 'Amidst COVID-19, Support Local Artists and Local Voices' — a video created to highlight the many local artists who have benefitted from the Dane Arts Need Grant (DANG!) Program during the COVID-19 pandemic."  
   

• "Next month, the Dane County Board will vote on a measure that will provide $100,000 dollars to support independent artists throughout the county."
   

• "This Year DABL will turn its focus to helping artists build their art businesses. To support this effort, DABL will be hosting a combination of live and recorded workshops taught by artists and other professionals."
   

• "Dane County Executive Joe Parisi announced Wednesday that the Dane Arts Need Grant (DANG!) Program will receive $100,000 in additional funding to help support local artists in need. Dane Arts will administer the DANG! Program to help offset artists' costs and lost revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic."
   

• "Each time they complete a mural, DAMA is leaving behind more than just a vibrant piece of art or reminder of a unique experience — they are leaving behind a static reminder that we as neighbors should always be working to make the world around us more beautiful in whatever way we can."
   

• "The County will administer the newly launched 'Dane Arts Need Grant' program or 'DANG!'. The Program will provide $15,000 to working artists in the county, including musicians, dancers, actors/producers, poets/writers, visual artists, performers, and any individual working artist."