Joy Engine Invests $55,000 in Eight Milwaukee Public Art Projects Designed to Spark Joy

MILWAUKEE — Joy Engine today announced $55,000 in grants to support eight community-driven public art projects across Milwaukee in 2026. These investments are designed to spark joy, connection, and creativity in neighborhoods throughout the city.

Joy Engine’s JOY Grants are uniquely accessible to Milwaukee-based individual artists, in addition to nonprofit organizations

“In a state where arts funding is scarce, these grants are more than just financial support. They are a vote of confidence in the lasting impact of Milwaukee’s creative community,” said Steph Salvia, Joy Engine’s Executive Director. “These eight projects aren’t just decorations; they are catalysts for joy and connection across the metro area.”

Wisconsin ranks 48th in the nation in public arts funding, making these grants an exciting and necessary partner in maintaining Milwaukee’s reputation as an arts and cultural destination. More than 100 applications were submitted, demonstrating the community’s interest in these opportunities and the wealth of innovative ideas in the Milwaukee area.

Joy Engine is purposeful in ensuring its grants reach local artists from various neighborhoods, cultural backgrounds, and artistic disciplines. This year’s panel of jurors included Derrick Cainion of Art Intersection, artist John Kowalczyk, artist and on-air talent for 88Nine, Paula Lovo, and Joy Engine board member Margaret Czaplewski.

Meet the Artists
The community and media are invited to a first look at the 2026 projects at Joy Engine’s Annual Public Meeting on February 9 at Arts@Large Gallery, 1100 S 5th St, Milwaukee (5:30-7:30 p.m.). The artists will be present to share their visions and explain how their work will impact Milwaukee’s various neighborhoods.

The 2026 Joy Grant Recipients

Ceci Tejeda
Traditional Mexican Art Workshops
Zip code 53204

This series of workshops will teach the community two, centuries-old artisan techniques from Mexico: Prehispanic Ceramic and Mexican Cartoneria.

Amal Azzam
“100 Palestinian Women”
Zip code 53204

This project will document the interactions of women rolling Warak Dawali, turning a familiar cultural ritual into a collective art form that centers Palestinian women and their stories.

TBEY Arts Center
“I ♥ the Arts”: Creative Connection Kits
Zip code 53202

This hands-on community project invites families to co-create artwork together, culminating in a free, citywide Community Art & Celebration Night.

Iwigara Holistic Hub
Threads of Power: Indigenous Fashion Week
Zip code 53210

This immersive, community-centered exploration of Indigenous creativity, directed by Angela Kingsawan, leads features six interactive events: Art Installation, Food Is Medicine Vendor Market, Panel Discussion, Sacred Flash Tattoo Event, Fashion Show, and Regenerative Wellness Workshop.

Green Baked Goods
Cooking Together: Building Joy and Connection Through Food
Zip code 53204

This series of cooking classes, featuring affordable, accessible ingredients, invites families to make and enjoy a shared meal, building community and communication through guided prompts that integrate Social Emotional Learning activities.

Leah Cashaw
Community Art Swap & Reuse Day
Zip code 53208

This experience invites the community to bring unwanted art work and supplies to be swapped, repurposed, or transformed into a larger community piece in the Urban Ecology Center in Washington Park.

Nalani Moesch
Teens Grow Greens with Webers Greenhouse
Zip code 53209

These workshops in the Rufus King neighborhood will offer residents the opportunity to connect, learn, and share resources while centering play, joy and relaxation. Topics, which will be presented by various professionals within the Rufus King community, will include Composting, Gardening, Clothes Dyeing, Canning, Sound Bath/Meditation and Local Film.

Anja Seiger
Voices From the Animal Kingdom
Zip code 53208

This series of pop-up performances at the Washington Park Media Center feature poets, artists, actors and dancers becoming “animals” while typewriting, drawing or dancing answers to visitor’s questions. Each performance will be recorded and later edited for an online showcase.

About Joy Engine
Joy Engine is a nonprofit public art organization curating intentional, immersive art experiences to connect, uplift, and inspire the Milwaukee community. Reimagining urban spaces through wondrous, larger-than-life installations expands perceptions. When citizens engage with art, community viability advances. Because inclusion through creative expression is the goal, all Joy Engine events are free, family-friendly, and accessible.

For more information on Joy Engine please visit: joyengine.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.