Weyauwega Arts Organization Inc

Overview

Weyauwega Arts Organization Inc, commonly known as Wega Arts, is a nonprofit organization based in Weyauwega, Wisconsin. Founded in 2007, it is dedicated to promoting and fostering the arts, particularly through theater and film, with a focus on youth development[3].

Mission and Activities

The organization's core mission is to develop original plays, films, and musicals. It hosts various community events, including the annual Weyauwega International Film Festival, which showcases films from around the world and from local artists. The festival typically runs over four days and attracts both local and international participants[2][4].

Wega Arts also conducts theater workshops that cover skills such as playwriting, acting, and stagecraft. Additionally, it offers film workshops that involve youth in acting and crew roles, providing them with skills relevant to careers in media and innovation[2].

Historical Venue

Wega Arts operates from the historic Gerold Opera House, a venue significant to the community's cultural heritage. Preserving this building is part of the organization's mission, ensuring it remains a vibrant cultural center for the area[2].

Financials

As of 2023, Weyauwega Arts Organization Inc reported a revenue of approximately $76,800 and expenses of about $85,600, with total assets valued at $272,000 and no liabilities[5].

Notable Projects

In addition to its regular programming, Wega Arts has produced a documentary about the Great Weyauwega Train Derailment of 1996, which required the evacuation of the entire town. The film was supported by a grant from Wisconsin Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities[2].