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CREATE Portage County

CREATE Portage County logo
Photo Credit: CREATE Portage County

Bio

CREATE Portage County has become a leading voice in the field of small-city, people-centered community and economic development. Established in 2004 as an arts advocacy organization, CREATE learned quickly how to leverage creativity and culture to attract and support people with big ideas. CREATE now works at the overlaps of creative placemaking, social justice, and entrepreneurial ecosystem building. We are helping communities improve their quality of life and strengthen their local economies.

Recent Articles

  • Mural under an overpass bridge in a river. It is painted light blue, with a woman of medium skin tone and black curly hair at the center. She’s blowing dandelion seeds off of her hand, which float off into the distance. It looks like she’s in water, as swirly designs resembling waves, and closely matching the pattern of her hair, come up to meet her shoulders. To her right, in yellow paint, are the words “Angela Anaïs Juana Antolina Rosa Edelmira Nin Culmel” and the dates “2/21/1903-1/14/1977.” *Part of the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission*

    Three Ways to Strengthen Your Community’s Creative Identity

    Revitalizing your local creative ecosystem can be easier than you think. Learn where to start and what you’ll need to create sustainable creative opportunity in your community.

  • On the side of a short brick building, in funky pink lettering over white and light green paint, read the words “I love the way I feel when I pass the moon and I holler to the stars I’m coming through.” *Part of the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission*

    Murals Brighten Central Wisconsin

    January 31, 2022

    When you visit Portage County, Wisconsin, you’ll see thirteen incredible new pieces of art on buildings around the region. Through a program inspired by the New Deal, CREATE Portage County, a people-centered economic development organization in Stevens Point, WI, put artists impacted by COVID-19 to work painting murals inspired by themes including food, imagination, farming, refugee experiences, and resilience.

    Learn More