The Creative Professionals Talent Recruitment Initiative is a partnership between Appleton Downtown, Inc., the Trout Museum of Art, and gener8tor. The program is supported by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Talent Recruitment Grant and is designed to attract and relocate creative professionals to Appleton and the Fox Cities region.

The initiative provides relocation assistance, professional development opportunities, mentorship, networking, and support for creative career growth.

Like many communities across Wisconsin, we would welcome greater investment in artists and creative professionals. Wisconsin has historically ranked near the bottom nationally in per-capita state arts funding, making programs that support the creative economy especially valuable.

When the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation announced its Talent Recruitment Grant program, communities across the state were encouraged to develop strategies that would attract new residents and strengthen their workforce. Some communities focused on technology, healthcare, manufacturing, or remote workers. Appleton chose to focus on creative professionals because arts and culture are a significant part of our community identity and an important driver of economic development, tourism, entrepreneurship, and quality of life.

We pursued this opportunity because it aligned with our vision of strengthening the Fox Cities as a place where creative people can live, work, and contribute to the community. While the grant is focused on attracting new residents, we believe a larger and more connected creative ecosystem will create long-term benefits for the region and for the creatives who already call the Fox Cities home.

Creative professionals contribute to local economies by starting businesses, teaching classes, creating cultural experiences, attracting visitors, filling vacant spaces, and strengthening communities.

Like many regions across the Midwest, Wisconsin faces challenges related to population growth and workforce attraction. This initiative is intended to help attract talented people to Wisconsin while strengthening the local creative economy.

Appleton offers:

• Affordable housing compared to many major creative hubs
• A growing arts and culture ecosystem
• Strong schools
• Walkable downtown neighborhoods
• Access to rivers, lakes, trails, and outdoor recreation
• Entrepreneurial support networks
• Cultural institutions and performance venues
• A high quality of life

The Fox Cities combines the affordability of a mid-sized community with access to significant cultural, educational, and business opportunities.

The initiative aims to recruit and relocate approximately 20 creative professionals over the life of the program.

Eligible applicants may include:

• Visual artists
• Musicians and performers
• Designers
• Makers and craft artists
• Filmmakers and media artists
• Creative entrepreneurs
• Arts administrators
• Cultural workers

Applicants must:

• Currently reside outside Wisconsin
• Meet all program eligibility requirements
• Successfully complete the application and interview process
• Commit to relocating to Appleton or the Fox Cities region if selected

We understand why local creatives have asked this question.

The relocation support is available through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation's Talent Recruitment Grant, which is specifically designed to attract new residents to Wisconsin.

Because of the grant requirements, relocation funding is only available to individuals moving from outside the state. While local creatives are not eligible for relocation funding, they remain essential partners in building a stronger creative ecosystem and will continue to be involved in creative opportunities, professional development programs, and future creative economy initiatives.

We understand this may feel disappointing.

This program is not intended to suggest that out-of-state artists are more important than artists already living in Wisconsin. Wisconsin artists are the foundation of our creative ecosystem.

However, the specific funding supporting this initiative is restricted to talent recruitment and relocation. The grant requires that participants relocate to Wisconsin from outside the state.

Local artists will continue to be vital partners in exhibitions, performances, commissions, teaching opportunities, festivals, networking events, and other programs offered by participating organizations.

Not necessarily.

Creative professionals often work through multiple income streams, including self-employment, teaching, commissions, performances, freelance work, consulting, remote employment, and entrepreneurship.

Applicants should demonstrate a viable plan for sustaining themselves while building their creative practice in the region.

Yes. Remote workers who meet all eligibility requirements may apply.

The program welcomes individuals whose creative work is performed remotely, provided they intend to relocate to and actively participate in the Appleton and Fox Cities community.

Yes.

Applicants with spouses, partners, and children are welcome to apply. Appleton and the Fox Cities offer highly rated schools, parks, recreation opportunities, and a family-friendly quality of life.

The program is primarily designed for individual creative professionals. Collectives interested in relocating should contact program staff to discuss eligibility and available options.

Selected participants may receive:

• Relocation stipends
• Moving assistance
• Housing support opportunities
• Down-payment assistance opportunities
• Subsidized studio or creative workspace
• Professional development programming
• Mentorship
• Networking opportunities
• Career sustainability support

Participants may join gener8tor's Creative Professionals Accelerator, which provides:

• Professional mentorship
• Business development support
• Networking opportunities
• Career planning assistance
• Professional development workshops
• Grant funding support for creative practice

Housing is not provided directly.

However, participants may receive assistance identifying housing resources and may have access to housing-related support opportunities through program partners.

The Fox Cities already has an extraordinary community of artists, musicians, performers, designers, makers, educators, and cultural leaders. Their work has helped build the creative environment that makes our region attractive to new residents and businesses.

This initiative is designed to build on that foundation by attracting additional creative professionals who can contribute new ideas, audiences, businesses, collaborations, teaching opportunities, and cultural experiences.

Our goal is not simply to recruit new talent. Our goal is to strengthen the entire creative ecosystem by increasing connections, expanding opportunities, and growing the visibility of the Fox Cities as a place where creative people can thrive.

A stronger creative sector benefits artists, businesses, nonprofits, schools, visitors, and residents alike.

Wisconsin creatives remain central to the success of this initiative.

In addition to existing opportunities throughout the community, through this grant, local creatives will have new opportunities to:

• Participate in professional development programming offered by gener8tor Art beginning in Fall 2026
• Attend networking events and community gatherings
• Connect with incoming creative professionals
• Develop collaborative projects and exhibitions
• Share resources and best practices
• Help shape future creative economy initiatives in the Fox Cities

gener8tor Art, Appleton Downtown, Inc., and the Trout Museum of Art also plan to host listening sessions and conversations with local creatives to better understand community needs and identify future opportunities for support.

We believe the strongest creative communities are built through collaboration, and we look forward to working with both existing and new creative professionals to strengthen the region together.

Because the long-term success of the Fox Cities creative economy depends on both retaining local talent and attracting new talent.

New creative professionals bring new skills, perspectives, audiences, businesses, and connections. Existing creatives bring local knowledge, relationships, leadership, and the cultural foundation that already exists here.

Neither group succeeds alone.

We hope local artists, musicians, performers, designers, makers, and cultural leaders will help welcome new creative professionals into the community and continue building a robust network of creative people who support one another, collaborate across disciplines, and contribute to the cultural and economic vitality of the Fox Cities.

Supporting Fox Cities creatives remains a priority.

In addition to existing opportunities offered through the Trout Museum of Art, Appleton Downtown, Inc., gener8tor Art, and other regional partners:

• Local creatives will have opportunities to participate in professional development programming offered by gener8tor Art beginning in Fall 2026.
• gener8tor Art, ADI, and the Trout Museum of Art will host a listening session with local creatives to better understand the needs of the region's artistic community.
• Local artists will continue to have access to exhibitions, performances, commissions, teaching opportunities, networking events, and entrepreneurial resources.

Artists, musicians, performers, designers, makers, arts administrators, and creative entrepreneurs already living in the Fox Cities play a critical role in shaping our creative future. By welcoming new creative professionals, sharing opportunities, collaborating on projects, and helping them connect to the community, Fox Cities creatives will help build a stronger and more sustainable creative ecosystem for everyone.

Our goal is not simply to recruit new talent. It is to grow a robust network of creative people who inspire one another, collaborate across disciplines, support local businesses, attract visitors, and contribute to the cultural and economic vitality of the Fox Cities.

This initiative is intended to grow the creative ecosystem, not replace support for artists who already live and work here.

Maureen Ragalie
Managing Director, gener8tor Art
maureen@gener8tor.com

Additional information and office hours will be announced through program communications.