Milwaukee Arts Board Announces 2023 Application Cycles for Sustaining Grant Program, Public Art Conservation Fund

The Milwaukee Arts Board (MAB) has announced that application cycles are open for the Sustaining Grant Program and the Public Art Conservation Fund.

“Milwaukee’s arts organizations, public art installations, and creative spaces add value to our neighborhoods and help residents and families engage with their community,” said Mayor Cavalier Johnson. “The Milwaukee Arts Board and its partner organizations carry out invaluable work, ensuring the city’s arts organizations are supported and our public art assets are sustained for years to come.”

“We have a responsibility to lift up our local arts-based organizations and preserve Milwaukee’s public art amenities for residents to enjoy and communities to benefit from,” said Alderwoman Milele Coggs, Chair of the Milwaukee Arts Board. “I am encouraging local non-profits and organizations throughout the city to apply for these funds and join our efforts to preserve and enhance Milwaukee’s creative community.”

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. 

This MAB grant program is funded by the City of Milwaukee with additional support from the Wisconsin Arts Board and the National Endowment for the Arts. Applications will be accepted through March 13, 2023. 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, including the ongoing restoration and conservation of The Magic Grove sculpture by Nancy Metz-White located in Enderis Park and the completed restoration of the Beerline Trail train mural by Rozalia Singh. 

The guidelines and application are available HERE. Applications are considered on a rolling basis as long as funds remain. At its scheduled February meeting, the Board’s Public Art Subcommittee will begin reviewing applications. 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 the city, advances cultural diversity in the artistic life of the 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.