Art Campaign Highlights Milwaukee, New York Teens
Milwaukee streetcar and New York subway stops to feature inspirational messages.
![Art Start's See Me Because campaign at the Cathedral Square streetcar station. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.](https://urbanmilwaukee.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/IMG_6443-1024x768.jpg)
Art Start’s See Me Because campaign at the Cathedral Square streetcar station. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.
A new public art campaign aims to elevate teenagers from historically-marginalized communities to explore their identity and envision their lives beyond stereotypes.
“See Me Because,” as the exhibit is known, features black-and-white portraits of teens from Milwaukee and New York City at seven streetcar stations along The Hop’s route. A digital exhibit is also running concurrently in the New York City subway system.
Accompanying the photos, affixed to the shelter at the stop, is a statement from the pictured teen with a positive message. “I am capable of anything,” says Iman at the Cathedral Square station.
“These young people have voices and achievements that ought to be known, and this is an opportunity to make that happen,” said Mayor Cavalier Johnson. “I am pleased we have this new approach to presenting their thoughts and dreams.” The mayor met with some of the pictured teens last Thursday as part of a press conference to unveil the artwork.
The Milwaukee exhibit will be on display through the month of August.
The effort is part of County Executive David Crowley‘s “Year of the Youth” campaign. The effort is a partnership between the city, county and civic organizations to create opportunities for mentorship, education and artistic displays.
Art Start, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, maintains offices in both New York City and Milwaukee. The organization said those pictured in the campaign participated in workshops and in-depth dialogue sessions.
The Milwaukee campaign can be seen at the Historic Third Ward (westbound), Wisconsin Ave. (northbound), City Hall (southbound), Cathedral Square, Jackson St. at Juneau Ave. (southbound), Ogden Ave./Jackson St. (westbound), and Burns Commons stations.
New Sponsor For The Hop
While many of The Hop’s stations now sport new artwork, one of the streetcars itself now has a new advertising wrap.
Clarios, the Johnson Controls battery spinoff, paid an undisclosed amount to sponsor a vehicle wrap that is to last for at least two months. The company is based in Glendale.
Those looking to find the Clarios streetcar can look for vehicle 4 in the TransLoc smartphone application.
A number of other organizations have sponsored vehicles including Everstream, the Milwaukee Bucks, the Salvation Army and Marquette University.
A kiosk system that is intended to generate advertising revenue for the system as well as provide real-time arrival information was interrupted by the pandemic. Only a handful of kiosks have been installed.
The 2022 city budget calls for $4.6 million to be spent on operating the streetcar system. That expense will be offset by $1.44 million in direct revenue, with the remainder coming from the city’s parking revenue. Direct revenue sources include Potawatomi Hotel & Casino ($833,333), other sponsors and a federal grant ($214,000). Transdev’s contract includes a provision for payment based on service hours provided, so a reduction in service would save the city money.
More about the Milwaukee Streetcar
For more project details, including the project timeline, financing, route and possible extensions, see our extensive past coverage.
- Council Kills Streetcar’s ‘Festivals Line’ - Jeramey Jannene - Jul 31st, 2024
- Streetcar Will Use Festivals-Oriented Route Through Summer - Jeramey Jannene - Jul 9th, 2024
- The Hop’s Lines Will Merge For Easier Summerfest Service - Jeramey Jannene - May 30th, 2024
- Streetcar Begins Daily Service To The Couture, BRT Will Soon Follow - Jeramey Jannene - Apr 11th, 2024
- Milwaukee’s Three Streetcar Extensions Need Mayoral Direction - Jeramey Jannene - Nov 8th, 2023
- Transportation: Streetcar Extension Opens Sunday - Jeramey Jannene - Oct 28th, 2023
- Ride Along On Streetcar Extension Before It Opens - Jeramey Jannene - Oct 11th, 2023
- Lakefront Streetcar Extension Opens October 29 - Jeramey Jannene - Aug 22nd, 2023
- Streetcar Ridership Has Climbed For 27 Straight Months Year-Over-Year - Jeramey Jannene - Jul 28th, 2023
- Transportation: Harley-Davidson Is New Streetcar Sponsor - Jeramey Jannene - Jul 7th, 2023
Read more about Milwaukee Streetcar here
Political Contributions Tracker
Displaying political contributions between people mentioned in this story. Learn more.
- October 9, 2019 - Cavalier Johnson received $100 from Beth Weirick
- May 13, 2019 - Cavalier Johnson received $100 from Beth Weirick
- May 13, 2016 - Cavalier Johnson received $100 from Beth Weirick
- August 13, 2015 - Cavalier Johnson received $25 from David Crowley
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