Create Waunakee's roots trace back to the Creative Economy Initiative (CEI), launched in 2011. This task force, comprising local schools, businesses, and artists, aimed to brand Waunakee as a creative hub, drawing inspiration from John Howkins' 2001 concept of a "creative economy" that values imaginative ideas across all sectors. Student-led community assessments in 2017 further shaped our vision, leading to the official naming of Create Waunakee in 2019 and the collaborative design of our logo.

​

The momentum continued through 2020, as a dedicated volunteer committee worked to develop new opportunities even amidst the pandemic. This commitment culminated in the founding of Create Waunakee, Inc. in 2023 as a non-profit organization. Our establishment as a 501(c)(3) organization solidifies our mission to cultivate and expand Waunakee's creative economy, recognizing its significant impact on our community.

​

We are proud to build upon the extensive research and community insights gathered by the Bolz Center of the Arts, whose work, including a video presentation by Jaron Bernstein and Sarah Bluvas, has been instrumental since 2017. As Create Waunakee, Inc., we are dedicated to advancing the initiatives born in 2011, working in close partnership with the Village of Waunakee and other vital organizations that enrich our community's vibrant fabric.