Author: Ewell, Peter T. and Ewell, Maryo Gard

Publication Year: 1972

Media Type: Report

Summary:

The Wisconsin Regional Arts Project (WRAP) was founded in the mid-1930s to uphold the Wisconsin Idea in the area of art. The Wisconsin Idea, simplistically, is that the boundaries of the campus are the boundaries of the state - that a university is a service institution to all state residents, off-campus, as well as on. The University Extension Division faculty is given the responsibility of providing adults and minority groups with the educational and esthetic tools they desire to shape their destinies. The Wisconsin Idea, then, extolls true democracy of education and opportunity, and is the credo of University Extension.

Abstract:

The Wisconsin Regional Arts Project (WRAP) was founded in the mid-1930s to uphold the Wisconsin Idea in the area of art. The Wisconsin Idea, simplistically, is that the boundaries of the campus are the boundaries of the state - that a university is a service institution to all state residents, off-campus, as well as on. The University Extension Division faculty is given the responsibility of providing adults and minority groups with the educational and esthetic tools they desire to shape their destinies. The Wisconsin Idea, then, extolls true democracy of education and opportunity, and is the credo of University Extension.

In the belief that all people are gifted with innate creativity, and lack only encouragement for this creativity to be manifested, WRAP was founded to provide guidance and a public spotlight for the amateur artist. Regardless of age or training, anyone can exhibit his work in regional art shows throughout the state. These shows are accompanied by workshops at which U.W. Extension faculty offer a mini-course on some aspect of art history or of an art technique, plus critiques of each work and individual guidance for all exhibitors.

The best works in the regional art shows are chosen for the annual tate exhibit. In addition, U.W. Extension offers classes and workshops in a multitude of art and craft forms on request, at nominal cost. In short, the motivating concept is that the arts have no barriers based on training, educational or economic background, nor should they be limited to the so-called talented.

WRAP was analyzed to test whether or not the Wisconsin Idea in the arts is a viable one. Does WRAP simply attract people already committed to the arts? Does it, despite its stated philosophy, tend to discriminate against the untrained, untalented person? This analysis demonstrates that the Wisconsin Idea is not empty idealism. It shows that the reinforcement and recognition that WRAP offers are far more important than art training in determining the success of a non-professional artist. (p. 1-2)

CONTENTS
Design and data.
Concepts and questions.
Analysis.
1. Raw results.
2. Homogeneity of WRAP membership.
3. Profiles of artistic background.
         a. Effects on amount of training.
         b. Effects on type of training.
         c. Effects on membership in arts organizations.
4. Profiles of artistic performance.
         a. Effects of general background factors.
         b. Effects of artistic background factors.

Arts & Intersections:

Categories: Arts Education