Milwaukee Arts Board Announces 2025 Application Cycles for Sustaining Grant Program, Public Art Conservation Fund
The Milwaukee Arts Board (MAB) is announcing that the application cycles are open for the Sustaining Grant Program and the Public Art Conservation Fund.
“The Sustaining Grant Program and the Public Art Conservation Fund provide support and resources to nurture a vibrant arts scene that reflects our city's diversity and creativity,” Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said. “By enabling artists, we are creating a lasting impact on our local economy and the quality of life for our residents. The Milwaukee Arts Board works with our local arts-based organizations so they can thrive into the future.”
“The Milwaukee Arts Board plays a key role in supporting a diverse range of artistic initiatives that enrich our culture, drive economic development, and create opportunities for local artists,” Alderwoman Milele Coggs, Chair of the Milwaukee Arts Board, said. “The Sustaining Grant Program and the Public Art Conservation Fund empower individuals to bring their creative visions to life, ensuring the arts remain accessible to all. This isn't just about fostering creativity, it is about investing in our city.”
Sustaining Grant Program
The Sustaining Grant Program provides funding to arts-based organizations for programming, administrative, and/or facilities costs. The grant program is open to eligible nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations located in the City of Milwaukee.
The MAB grant program is funded by the City of Milwaukee with additional support from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts. Applications will be accepted through March 17, 2025 at 4:59 PM. Apply and learn more about the MAB Sustaining Grant Program HERE.
Public Art Conservation Fund
The Public Art Conservation Fund provides funding for non-profit organizations to administer public art conservation efforts throughout Milwaukee in strengthening neighborhoods and preserving the city’s rich cultural history. MAB will make $10,000 in total available for public art conservation projects in the City of Milwaukee. Individual awards up to $5,000 must be matched by the applicant. To qualify, projects must be fully accessible to the public.
The Public Art Conservation Fund has supported vibrant projects throughout Milwaukee. Most recently the Conservation Fund supported restoration and conservation of the Victory Over Violence Murals by Brad Bernard located in Victory Over Violence Park.
The guidelines and application are available HERE and on the MAB website. Applications are considered on a rolling basis as long as funds remain. Applications submitted at least two weeks before future regularly scheduled subcommittee meetings will be considered. Qualifying applications will be accepted until all available funds are allocated.
For more information about the Public Art Conservation Fund, please contact [email protected].
About Milwaukee Arts Board
The Milwaukee Arts Board (MAB) promotes the development, support, and enjoyment of the arts in this city, advances cultural diversity in the artistic life of this city, and supports the formation and growth of artistic projects and/or programs that are administered by and responsive to the needs of the community. MAB was established in 1990. Its members are appointed by the Mayor and approved by the Milwaukee Common Council. Funding is provided through the Department of City Development and the Common Council, with additional support from the Wisconsin Arts Board. MAB meetings are scheduled for the second Tuesday of each month and all meetings are open to the public.
Milwaukee Arts Board
Milwaukee Arts Board accepting public nominations for Artists of the Year, Friends of the Arts awards
Members of the public can submit nominations online [click here] through April 2, 2025
MILWAUKEE - The City of Milwaukee Arts Board (MAB) is accepting nominations from the public for the Mildred L. Harpole Artists of the Year award and the Friends of the Arts award. Recipients of these awards represent excellence and exceptional service in Milwaukee's arts community.
In seeking nominations for the Artist of the Year and Friends of the Arts award the MAB is looking for nominees whose work aligns with the Milwaukee Code of Ordiannce which states that the arts board shall:
- Promote the development, support and enjoyment of the arts in this city.
- Promote cultural diversity in the artistic life of this city.
- Promote the formation and growth of artistic projects or programs that are administered by and responsive to the needs of the city's communities that have been historically underrepresented or underserved based on race, ethnicity, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, socioeconomic status, geography, or citizenship status.
Mildred L. Harpole Artists of the Year Award:
The Artists of the Year award was inaugurated in 1995 by former Alderman and MAB Chair Wayne Frank. The Artists of the Year Award was eventually renamed in 2020 to honor the late, beloved MAB member Mildred L. Harpole.
Nominees must be City of Milwaukee residents who have been working as an artist in the City of Milwaukee over the last 24 months. They may be an individual artist, or a band, or a collective, and must not be a current member of the Milwaukee Arts Board or a previous recipient of this award. Self-nominations are allowed and an artist can be nominated posthumously. This award is open to a variety of disciplines, including Arts Education, Culinary Arts, Dance, Design, Film & Media Arts, Folk & Traditional Arts, Literary Arts, Museums, Music, Musical Theater, Opera, Presenting & Multidisciplinary Works, Theater and Visual Arts. Each recipient receives a $1,500 cash award.
Friends of the Arts Award:
Established in 2012, the Friends of the Arts Award is given to individuals who, often behind the scenes, have distinguished themselves through exceptional service to Milwaukee’s arts community.
Nominees for Friends of the Arts do not have to be City of Milwaukee residents, but must demonstrate exemplary support of Milwaukee’s arts community through at least one of the following requirements:
- Mentoring or teaching creatives and/or youth in Milwaukee
- Supporting arts locally through philanthropy and/or advocacy
- Building community around the arts in Milwaukee
Nominees can include individuals, organizations, and/or businesses. They may not be a current Milwaukee Arts Board member or a previous recipient of this award. Self-nominations are not allowed for this category, however, a nomination can be made posthumously.
Award Process:
The Milwaukee Arts Board will review the nominations and select the award recipients during the MAB meeting on April 8, 2025. At this meeting, all completed nominations will be presented and MAB members will rank their top three choices in each category, which will be turned into scores. The two nominees in each category with the highest scores will be awarded.
Sustaining Grants
The Milwaukee Arts Board (MAB) Grant Program serves to bring accessibility and enjoyment of the arts to the citizens of our culturally diverse city. We do this by essentially “purchasing” arts programming and arts education from Milwaukee’s eligible arts organizations. By doing so, we provide a measure of financial support to our vibrant and exciting arts community. The MAB promotes the formation and growth of artistic projects or programs that are administered by and responsive to the needs of Milwaukee’s communities that have been historically underrepresented or underserved based on race, ethnicity, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, socioeconomic status, geography, or citizenship status. Grant guidelines and applications are released annually in January.