Woven into the Fabric of Every Strong Economy Is a Vibrant Arts Community

Here at the office, we’re in the midst of our fourth annual office fund-raiser for the United Performing Arts Fund.

We kicked off our fund-raiser last week with a tour of the Broadway Theatre Center in Milwaukee, home to Skylight Opera Theater and other companies. Photos at left, courtesy Elizabeth Franczyk, show the costume shop. Thanks to Diana Aliota and Jim Ferrell for a fun and fascinating look at all the passion, ingenuity and hard work that goes into every show.

UPAF—kind of like the United Way, but for artistic organizations—is clearly a big reason our hometown boasts a lively arts scene. Less obvious, perhaps, is that it’s also a key driver of our region’s economic resilience.

A strong arts community helps attract and retain the talented, creative professionals who are essential to our ongoing economic evolution and growth. That’s what makes increasing collaboration among creative organizations and businesses—such as the Creative Alliance Milwaukee and its Creative Hub—so important.

Meanwhile, our collective support of the arts is becoming even more crucial, at a time when the state budget is tight and legislators are finding it necessary to slash public funding for the arts.

So get involved. Give to UPAF. Connect with the Creative Hub. And help us keep southeastern Wisconsin’s economy strong for many years to come.

You Snooze, You Win?

I have a recurring daily appointment on my calendar labeled “nap.”

It’s a joke (sort of). But maybe it shouldn’t be.

In fact, in my post-lunch stupor, I think a little snooze might be just what the doctor ordered—Dr. Sara Mednick, that is (author of “Take a Nap! Change your life.”)

Mednick’s extensive research demonstrates that 30 minutes of shuteye can dramatically improve employee critical-thinking, problem-solving and creative skills.

So a nap can be a big boost to a marketing communications professional, who thrives at the intersection of strategic and creative thinking.

But find me a company that even tolerates napping on the job, let alone encourages the practice.

Seriously, find me one. OK, Google (of course).

Tony Schwartz of the Harvard Business Review believes it’s time for a few more forward-thinking companies to give employee naps a try. By fueling innovation and productivity, naps are “a powerful source of competitive advantage,” Schwartz says.

Is there a better way to keep people at the top of their game? I guess we could try energy drinks instead. We’ve all seen those ubiquitous ads for 5-Hour Energy.

But come on—have you tasted that stuff? Also, do we really need more performance-enhancing drugs?

I’ll keep that nap on my calendar, thank you. And if I do get serious about a regular snooze, I hope it turns out better than George Costanza's attempt.