Milwaukee Art Museum Reimagines the Bradley Wing of Modern Art

MILWAUKEE, Wis.—May 12, 2025—The Milwaukee Art Museum will unveil a major reinstallation of its renowned Bradley Wing of Modern Art, featuring a fresh presentation of the institution’s significant collection of 20th-century art. Opening to the public March 14, 2026, the reimagined galleries invite visitors to rediscover the defining movements and artists of modernism, from German Expressionism and postwar abstraction to modern sculpture.

The reinstallation builds on the success of The Bradley Collection of Modern Art: A Bold Vision for Milwaukee, which celebrated the 50th anniversary of Mrs. Harry Lynde “Peg” Bradley’s transformational collection going on view to the public. While that exhibition explored the collector’s impact, the new installation turns its focus on the art itself, highlighting the Museum’s particular strengths and how they shaped the broader story of 20th-century art.

“Peg Bradley’s generosity gave Milwaukee one of the most distinguished modern art collections in the nation,” said Elizabeth Siegel, chief of curatorial affairs. “This reinstallation allows us to showcase those strengths in a way that connects past and present, bringing new life to these works and new meaning to their place in our city’s story.”

Bradley’s influence reaches far beyond the work she collected. Her gift of nearly 400 modern masterpieces transformed the Museum’s collection and inspired the construction of the David Kahler-designed wing, with dedicated galleries named in her honor. That expansion laid the groundwork for the Museum’s architectural evolution, later culminating in the Santiago Calatrava-designed addition that made the institution an international landmark.

The renewed installation will guide visitors chronologically through the emergence and evolution of modern art, beginning with early modernism in Europe and culminating in postwar art in America. Strong holdings of German Expressionism anchor the experience, including eleven paintings by Gabriele Münter, one of the most substantial collections of her work outside of Germany. The galleries will also feature eleven celebrated works by Georgia O’Keeffe, whose close relationship with Peg Bradley resulted in one of the most significant groupings of O’Keeffe paintings in any museum, and by Barbara Hepworth, Mark Rothko, Stuart Davis, and others.

While Peg Bradley’s collecting journey laid out the foundation for the Museum’s modern holdings, the reinstallation expands the story to include key works to complement the collection she created. Together, these additions provide a more comprehensive view of 20th century art and the Museum’s evolving strengths.

Visitors will encounter newly conserved and reframed works, updated interpretive materials, and a more cohesive gallery design. The project underscores the Museum’s commitment to renewing how its collection is presented, ensuring that each generation can experience the vibrancy and power of modern art anew.

“Every reinstallation tells a new story,” said Kim Sajet, PhD, Donna and Donald Baumgartner Director. “This one reveals how the Bradley Collection has become inseparable from the identity of the Museum itself, a testament to how one person’s vision can inspire generations and shape a city’s cultural future.”

Support

The Milwaukee Art Museum extends its sincere thanks to the Visionaries for their support of the exhibition program:

Mark and Debbie Attanasio
Donna and Donald Baumgartner
Murph Burke
Bill and Sandy Haack
Chris Harned and Elizabeth Quadracci Harned
The Helmerich Trust
Kenneth and Alice Kayser
Joan Lubar and John Crouch
Jeff and Gail Yabuki

Visit
The Bradley Wing of Modern Art opens Saturday, March 14.

Admission:
Adults: $27
Students, seniors (65+), military: $20
Kids 12 and under: Free, thanks to an anonymous donor
Wisconsin K–12 teachers: Free with valid school ID or pay stub
Members: Free

Thursday Nights at MAM:
Every Thursday, admission is pay-what-you-wish from 4 to 8 p.m.

Museum admission includes access to collection and exhibition galleries and the Kohl’s Art Studio, which is open Friday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Membership:
Members enjoy free admission, exclusive programs, and special access throughout the year. Learn more at mam.org/membership.

Experience the Burke Brise Soleil:
Designed by Santiago Calatrava, the Museum’s iconic wings open daily with the Museum, close and re-open at noon, and close at 10 p.m. The wings are illuminated nightly from sundown to 10 p.m.; movement is weather permitting.

About the Milwaukee Art Museum
The Milwaukee Art Museum is an essential destination for art and architecture and a vital cultural resource that connects visitors to dynamic art experiences and one another. Housed in iconic buildings designed by Santiago Calatrava, Eero Saarinen and David Kahler on a 24-acre lakefront campus, the museum is Wisconsin’s largest art institution and home to both broad and deep collections, with exceptional holdings in American painting, sculpture and decorative arts; global contemporary art, particularly minimalist and conceptual art; prints and drawings; European art from the Renaissance through the 19th century; photography and new media; modern and contemporary design; folk and self-taught art; and 20th-century Haitian art. A bold symbol of Milwaukee’s ambition and forward-thinking vision, the museum is a place for community building, education and celebration that fosters creativity, free speech and critical discourse for audiences of all ages and backgrounds. For more information, visit mam.org.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.