County Board Supports Cultural Institutions, Unanimously Adopts Agreement that Honors Veterans and Protects Art
The Milwaukee County Board passed two measures Thursday that will move Milwaukee County forward and provide long-term sustainability for important public institutions.
(MILWAUKEE) – The Milwaukee County Board passed two measures Thursday that will move Milwaukee County forward and provide long-term sustainability for important public institutions. The Board approved a measure that will strengthen the financial viability of the Milwaukee Public Museum.
On a united vote of 18-0, the Board also approved a historic agreement between the War Memorial and the Milwaukee Art Museum that will help ensure the vitality of the buildings, grounds and properties of both organizations. Given this strong support, Board Chairwoman Marina Dimitrijevic called on the County Executive to sign the resolution immediately.
“Today’s unanimous vote on the War Memorial/Art Museum agreement by the Board shows leadership and reflects the values of Milwaukee County,” said Dimitrjevic. “Our united actions in support of veterans and the art museum will provide a long-term investment in our community. With this investment, we honor our veterans and their service to our country. The actions of the Board will provide value for generations to come.”
Under the compromise agreement, the War Memorial Center/Milwaukee Art Museum will receive $1,586,000 per year from the County from 2014 through 2023. This includes a payment of $1,100,000 to the Art Museum and $486,000 to the War Memorial. The annual funding commitment ends after the ten-year period, but the other portions of the agreement could extend for up to 84 years.
County capital improvement funding of $10 million between 2013 and 2017 will supplement the Art Museum’s planned private funding of $15 million for a total $25 million investment in improvements to the publicly owned portions of the War Memorial and Art Museum buildings and grounds, as well as the construction of a new east atrium.
“This investment in our cultural institutions is a win-win-win for the Milwaukee Art Museum, the War Memorial and the taxpayers of Milwaukee County, especially our veterans,” Dimitrijevic said.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
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