By Jessica Steinhoff | Photography by Hillary Schave
Augusta Brulla’s work at Dane Arts echoes a formative childhood experience. Her mother met a painter and wanted one of his works although it exceeded her budget. Creative thinking got her the painting, helped the artist and forged a priceless bond.
“She invited him to use our garage as a studio in exchange for paintings,” Brulla explains. “He’d write us letters as he traveled the world and he encouraged me to create. I was always creating, so I went on to study two-dimensional art in college.”
Today the cultural affairs specialist uses her art-making background — including 18 years performing with Tania Tandias Flamenco and Spanish Dance — to help local artists develop business acumen and connect with organizations that might purchase their work. She does this by managing the Dane Arts grant program, building relationships with artists and art-seekers, and developing resources, such as the Dane County Artist Directory, which she prototyped at UW- Madison’s Bolz Center for Arts Administration while earning her master’s degree. The directory is a top priority for 2025. The directory has been available to the public since the summer of 2024, and it represents about 80 visual artists.
This year, Brulla says Dane Arts will launch an updated, expanded directory platform that will feature all artistic disciplines, including musicians, authors and performers — with a goal of showcasing 500 artists. She will also collaborate with over 40 arts organizations across Dane County on the project.
Bridging the digital divide is another goal.
“Some artists don’t know how to make a website, so this is a free, easy way to have an online presence,” Brulla says. “They fill out a form, which populates a profile others can see, and then they can opt into opportunities from Dane Arts, local businesses and curators.”
Brulla plans to attend more networking events this year to promote this tool. This includes events she’s helping to plan, such as Dane Arts Buy Local’s Business of Art Conference (April 24-26).
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