Help Choose Milwaukee County’s Next Public Art Award Winner
Presented by Janice and Stephen Marcus
Milwaukee, WI, October 19, 2026 — The Milwaukee County Historical Society is pleased to announce the call for nominations for the 2027 Public Art Award, generously presented by Janice and Stephen Marcus. Now entering its third year, the award recognizes public artworks that enrich Milwaukee County’s cultural landscape, engage the community, and reflect the character and history of the places they inhabit.
Nominations will be accepted November 1 through December 31, 2026. Community members are invited to nominate public artworks located throughout Milwaukee County, whether historic or contemporary, permanent or temporary. Eligible works may be created by artists from Milwaukee or elsewhere, provided the artwork is located in Milwaukee County and meets the award criteria.
The 2027 award will be selected by a panel of three jurors:
- Jeffrey Morin, award-winning artist and educator, returns as a juror for the third year. Morin brings nearly 40 years of higher-education and community-based arts experience, including his service as president of the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD), as well as his work supporting creative access and interdisciplinary programming.
- Dr. Kim Sajet is the Donna and Donald Baumgartner Director of the Milwaukee Art Museum and an internationally respected museum leader and curator. Previously, she served for 12 years as director of the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, where she championed inclusive storytelling and expanded public engagement with the arts.
- Julia Taylor is co-owner and gallery director of JK Art House, a contemporary fine art gallery in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward, representing local, regional, and national artists. A longtime civic leader and working artist, Taylor previously served as president of the Greater Milwaukee Committee for 20 years and brings extensive experience in arts advocacy, community leadership, and regional development.
The jury will evaluate nominated works based on historical relevance, integration with their surroundings, community impact, public engagement, and reflection of Milwaukee’s shared values.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the Public Art Award, artwork must:
- Be located within Milwaukee County
- Be publicly accessible; private or restricted works are not eligible
- Be permanent or temporary and accessible through the award selection period
- Be eligible for nomination by the artist themselves or by a member of the public
2026 Public Art Award
The 2026 Public Art Award recognized People Helping People by Edward Cathony, a large-scale ceramic tile mosaic at 803 W. Michigan Street. Originally commissioned for the Milwaukee Insurance Company building and created using TEGA tiles developed by Milwaukee’s Allen-Bradley Company, the mural reflects Milwaukee’s mid-century intersection of art and industry. Combining abstract and figurative imagery, the work explores themes of labor, unity, and civic cooperation while celebrating the city’s industrial and creative legacy.
With the mosaic’s uncertain future, MCHS hopes this recognition will help raise awareness of its significance and encourage efforts to preserve this important piece of Milwaukee’s public art heritage.
Award Ceremony
The 2027 Public Art Award finalists will be celebrated at the Public Art Award Ceremony on Thursday, February 25, 2027, from 5–7 p.m. at the Milwaukee County Historical Society. The community is invited to join us in celebrating the artists and public artworks that contribute to Milwaukee County’s unique cultural landscape.
How to Nominate
Nominations will be accepted November 1–December 31, 2026.
To nominate an artwork, visit the Milwaukee County Historical Society’s Public Art Award page:
https://milwaukeehistory.net/public-art-award/
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.
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