The Wisconsin Assembly for Local Arts' ArtsPeers Advisory Network provides experienced, professional, and creative arts administrators to work with artists and arts organizations needing outside perspectives, timely information, fresh eyes, and objective viewpoints to solve problems, identify opportunities, or establish new directions.

What does an ArtsPeer do?
How does the ArtsPeer program work?
What can you expect from an ArtsPeer?
Who can use ArtsPeers?
What does an ArtsPeer cost?
Who are the ArtsPeers?
List of current and completed projects 1993-2004

ArtsPeers application form
ArtsPeers evaluation form

What does an ArtsPeer do?

ArtsPeer services divide into two basic areas:

Consultation: Because artists and arts organizations often need help with particular tasks or functions, an ArtsPeer will review specific operations, programmatic or organizational areas identified by the client, such as long-range planning, grant writing, board development, marketing, publicity, fundraising, program planning, budgeting and more. An ArtsPeer can offer specific recommendations and identify both implementation strategies and assistance to address effectively the issues raised by the review.

Assessment: Because organizational operations, goals and purposes can change, dramatically and subtly, over time, an ArtsPeer will, upon request, conduct a confidential, comprehensive evaluation of an organization or program from an unbiased point of view. An ArtsPeer can help the client recognize changes, make specific recommendations regarding a planning process for dealing with them,
and provide insights into strengths, weaknesses, and areas of emphasis for the future.

Examples of services provided include:

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How does the ArtsPeer program work?

ArtsPeers serve as catalysts for new ideas and directions in administrative, management and artistic areas. An ArtsPeer will meet with board of directors, volunteers, and/or staff to facilitate problem-solving, planning, needs assessment, program development and evaluation for an arts organization.

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What can you expect from an ArtsPeer?

Your ArtsPeer advisor contacts the organization prior to the first scheduled visit for information. The ArtsPeer may also contact others in the community regarding the issues in question. On site with your organization, the ArtsPeer will facilitate solutions through group process with a group identified by the organization -- usually board, staff, and volunteers. After the on-site visit(s), the ArtsPeer will provide the organization with a written report, and, if requested, specific recommendations.

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Who can use ArtsPeers?

The ArtsPeer program is open to all not-for-profit arts organizations in Wisconsin. Staff of the Assembly match an arts organization with the advisor best suited to the topic area. Through discussion and mutual agreement with the organization, the Assembly sets rates based on fee range for not-for-profit arts organizations.

All details of ArtsPeer consultancies are held in strict confidence. Participants must be fully paid members of the Wisconsin Assembly for Local Arts.

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What does an ArtsPeer cost?

Fees are $250 per consultation, which includes up to three visits to a community, pre- and post-visit information-gathering, and a final report. In addition, any travel expenses are paid by the sponsoring organization. Due to the generosity of our funders and the ArtsPeer advisors, the cost of this service is up to 80% lower than comparable consultant fees. Other fee structures may be negotiated between the participating organization and the Assembly. Partial subsidies are available on a limited basis.

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Who are the ArtsPeers?

ArtsPeers are experienced, effective administrators and board members serving large and small arts organizations across Wisconsin. They share their expertise with colleagues in order to develop a stronger, more effective arts constituency throughout Wisconsin. Each ArtsPeer advisor has participated in an intensive course designed to prepare its participants to provide confidential advising services; this course was developed and taught by the Arts Extension Service of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.

Judy Beier, Arts Consultant, Mosinee
Former Executive Director, Center for the Visual Arts, Wausau. Board of Directors member, Wausau Performing Arts Foundation and docent, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau. Experience in boards of directors training and development, community relations, facilities planning and management, festival planning, fundraising and resource development; art gallery management and programming, visual arts exhibition design and development; volunteer recruitment, training and management.

Joi Brown, General Manager, Weidner Center for the Arts, Green Bay
Former Executive Director, Oshkosh Opera House, and former Performing Arts Coordinator, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI. MFA in Theatre/Directing, Catholic University, Washington, DC. Skilled in artistic presenting and programming, contract negotiation, facility management, organizational assessment, small group facilitation, and special event planning.

Mortimer Cushman, LaPointe Center, Madeline Island
PhD in History; former college professor and newspaper editor. Skilled in artistic programming, board training and development, community relations; fundraising and resource development; grantwriting and grants management; marketing and publicity; rural and small community issues; volunteer recruitment; training and management.

Jerilyn Dinsmoor, Arts Consultant, Onalaska
Executive Director, Pump House Regional Center for the Arts, LaCrosse, 1987-1994. Professional textile artist as well as arts administrator. Expertise in community cultural planning, special event fundraising, membership development, grant writing, facility management.

Maggie Foote, Arts Consultant, Menomonie
Executive Director, Eau Claire Regional Arts Council, 1994-1999, and Executive Director, Mabel Tainter Menorial Theatre, Menomonie, 1991-1994. Expertise in board development, fundraising, facility management, programming, contracts.

Patricia Guttenberg, Executive Director, Council for the Performing Arts, Jefferson
Experience in fundraising, budgeting, and resource development, marketing and publicity; artistic presenting and programming; and volunteer recruitment, training, and management.

Debra Karp, Arts Management Program Director, UW-Parkside, Kenosha
Experience in arts education, administration, management, promotion, marketing, fundraising, programming, for public and private arts organizations, including theaters, museums, festivals, and dance.

LaMoine MacLaughlin, Executive Director, Northern Lakes Center for the Arts, Amery
MA in Education. Founding board member and past President of Wisconsin Assembly for Local Arts. Expertise in organizational development; advocacy on local government and community issues; marketing in rural and small communities; organizational network and liaison building.

Megan Matthews, Arts Consultant, Jefferson
Interim Director of Advancement, UW-Whitewater. Project Consultant, 1st Governor's Cultural Congress, State Historical Society, and Wisconsin Arts Board Folklife Festival, 1998. Executive Director, Council for the Performing Arts, 1990-1994. M.A. in Community Arts Management, Sangamon State University (now University of Illinois-Springfield). Management experience in marketing strategies for performing arts seasons, creating and management special events, managing volunteers, computer applications for non-profit organizations.

Larry McCoy, Managing Director, Al. Ringling Theatre, Baraboo
Experience in artistic presenting and programming; arts education; board training and development, community cultural programming, community relations; facilities planning and management; fundraising, grantwriting and resource development; historic theater restoration, marketing and publicity; rural and small community issues.

Jim O'Connell, Executive Director, Wausau Performing Arts Foundation
MA in Arts Administration, UW Madison. Skilled in corporate fundraising; grant preparation; facility planning and management; event programming and contracts; constituent planning.

Cynthia Bryant Pitts, Arts Consultant, Milwaukee
Former Executive Director, Milwaukee Inner City Arts Council. Skilled in managing diversity, organizational development, team building, strategic planning.

Ellen Rosewall, Assistant Professor of Arts Management, UW-Green Bay, and Director, Arts for Pete's Sake, DePere
Board member, Northeastern Wisconsin Arts Council, Green Bay, Director of Development and Marketing, Weidner Center for the Performing Arts, 1992-1996. Skilled in advocacy and outreach; board training and development; community relations, fundraising and resource development; grantwriting and grant management; marketing and publicity; small businesses for and by artists; and strategic planning.

Karen Spahn, Senior Director of Development, Milwaukee Art Museum
Former Program Officer, Greater Milwaukee Foundation, and administrator of Milwaukee County Cultural, Artistic and Musical Affairs Committee, and City of Milwaukee Arts Board. Experienced in board development, lobbying local government, advocacy, organizational structure, corporate and foundation giving.

Mary Stremlau, consultant
Former Associate Director, Wausau Performing Arts Foundation. Expertise in marketing and advertising, united arts fundraising, agency planning, arts-in-education collaborations, event programming.

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List of current and completed projects 1993-2004

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