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\n Join us for our Business Luncheon and \;make those important connections that can help you \;in your \;business or career. \; \;

\n This month our speaker is Anne Katz - the Executive Director of Arts Wisconsin\, the premier advocacy\, service and development organization for Wisconsin. \; She will be speaking on \;the arts\, arts education and creative economy \; \;&ndash\; an investment for Portage and Wisconsin.
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\n Whatkind of future is in store for Wisconsin? \; \; If there ever was a time that we needed the arts\, it&rsquo\;s now. Wisconsin needs what the arts provide: \; creativity\, innovation and entrepreneurship in local\, regional\, state and national economies\, jobs and education for the 21^stcentury based on creative thinking and problem-solving\, healthy and vibrant communities that use the arts as economic\, educational and civic assets\, and \;access to the arts for everyone.There is growing understanding among political\, business and civic leaders and the general public that creativity\, innovation and entrepreneurship &ndash\; all qualities inherent in the arts - are the qualities that will move our state and our nation forward\, to:

\n revive and stimulate the economy locally and statewide
\n create locally-based\, sustainable jobs
\n educate our children for the 21st century workforce
\n enliven our communities large and small and bring diverse communities together
\n enhance and strengthen Wisconsin&rsquo\;s competitive edge and international reputation.

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\n During the presentation\, Anne Katz\, Executive Director of Arts Wisconsin\, the premier advocacy\, service and development organization for Wisconsin\, will address these issues and the ways in which Arts Wisconsin is leading the way at the intersection of economic vitality\, educational advancement\, and civic engagement and setting goals and strategies for community cultural development locally and statewide. \;

\n When: Wednesday\, \;January \;19\, \;2011

\n Where: \; Portage Center for the Arts \;

\n Time: \; Lunch at 11:30AM\, \;Speaker at Noon \;

\n Cost: \;$10.00\, cash or check please

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\n Guest Speaker: \;Anne Katz
\n Anne Katz has served as executive director of Arts Wisconsin\, Wisconsin'\;s premier statewide community arts action\, service\, and development organization\, since 1995. Arts Wisconsin is dedicated to nurturing\, serving\, promoting\, and advocating for the arts in Wisconsin and all its communities. Under Katz'\;s leadership\, Arts Wisconsin was awarded the 2004 Governor'\;s Award in Support of the Arts from the Wisconsin Foundation for the Arts She serves on the board of the Wisconsin Public Radio Association\, Wisconsin Nonprofits Association and the Wisconsin Downtown Action Council\, and is a former chair and vice chair of the State Arts Action Network Council\, a program of Americans for the Arts. \;
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\n We \;encourage \;Chamber members to attend this informational luncheon. \; \;Bring extra cash for the 50/50 Raffle!