I’m pleased to share with readers news that the Wisconsin Academy recently completed a strategic plan for the next three to five years. Now, I know that strategic planning is one of those phrases that can put people to sleep or induce the flight response. But a thoughtful process really can help an organization better pursue its mission—and make the tough choices about where resources will have the greatest impact.
When our founders got together in 1870, they saw the Academy’s mission as “the gathering, sharing, and acting upon knowledge in the sciences, arts, and letters for the benefit of the people of Wisconsin.” While the Academy continues this good work more than 143 years later, we have freshened the mission statement to reflect the organization as it is today:
The Wisconsin Academy brings people together at the intersection of the sciences, arts, and letters to inspire discovery, illuminate creative work, and foster civil dialogue on important issues. In this way, we connect Wisconsin people and ideas for a better world.
A key word in this statement is intersection. In a world where so much information is micro-targeted and where fields have sub-sub-specialties, it is easy to lose sight of connections. Unexpected insights often appear only when disciplines and fields mix and mingle, when ideas collide and new connections are made. These connections are at the heart of narrative, and intersections are where raw information transforms from data into meaning.
In many ways the ampersand—the “&” part of “Sciences, Arts & Letters”—is emblematic of our renewed mission. There are myriad scientific associations, organizations presenting and advocating for the arts, as well as literature and poetry groups both professional and amateur. But an organization dedicated to exploring the intersections between these entities is entirely unique.
I had the pleasure of hearing Beloit College president Scott Bierman address the families of incoming freshmen students this last August. In Bierman’s address, he asked how does one take the elements of “a liberal arts education—reasoning with evidence; communicating clearly, compellingly, persuasively; synthesizing creatively; taking risks intelligently and confidently; finding humor and substance in all that is worthy of your time—and bring them to life, animate them, give them meaning, explore their power, and appreciate their nuances?”
It’s a question that is central to living our own lives, and living with others. And I like to think our work at the Wisconsin Academy is very much about bringing ideas to life by imbuing them with meaning and power. The Academy’s multi-disciplinary roots are planted in the fertile soil of the liberal arts. As such, it isn’t surprising that the guiding values that emerged from our strategic plan revolve around critical thinking, curiosity, excellence, aesthetic quality, and inclusive community engagement.
Indeed, certain phrases from our planning sessions stick in my mind. In response to the question of measuring the success of our work over the course of ten years—or even twenty-five years—a staff member responded that “we will have helped articulate the value of creative work as an antidote to ugliness and indifference.” A long-time member of our Council (essentially, our Board of Directors), noted that Academy programs will be seen as ways to address “the defeatism that shrouds the discussion of climate change, politics, and other complex topics that crowd today’s popular discourse.”
Through these conversations we eventually distilled a statement of how we want to serve Wisconsin: As a resource for informed and engaged citizens who appreciate the value of discovery and learning. Our work is designed to foster a rich and lively creative culture that enhances our quality of life so that Wisconsin is thriving and resilient, economically, socially, and environmentally.
It seems like a lot to do. But, we are also heeding the succinct and practical advice of one of our seasoned Council members: “We must chose, and move on.”
And, we are doing so.
Our programs, including this magazine, will relentlessly seek out the intersections that spark creativity and foster resilience. We know an organization with a 143-year legacy can’t be all things to all people. But after examining our strengths—a brilliant staff, captivating programs, and an engaged and thoughtful community of participants—we’re expanding our commitment to making not only Wisconsin, but the world, a better place.
