Let The Music Play Grant Program Application Now Open

MILWAUKEE, WI (November 1, 2023) – Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. (MWF) and American Family Insurance announced that applications are now open for the 6^th annual Let The Music Play Grant Program. Non-profit organizations and school programs that support music education are encouraged to apply. The deadline to submit an application is November 30, 2023.

Since its inception the Let The Music Play grant program has supported 40 Milwaukee County youth music programs, with hundreds of students impacted annually.  Grant funds have been utilized to purchase a variety of educational resources including instruments, sound and recording equipment, cultural dance attire, updated music curriculums, and more. Past grant recipients include Bembé Drum & Dance, Rufus King High School, La Causa Charter School, Woodlands Elementary School, Milwaukee High School of the Arts, Girls Rock MKE, and more.

“Through our continued collaboration with American Family Insurance, we have established a pattern of giving back to the community through our support of arts education. We are proud to play a role in providing much needed music education resources for students,” said Don Smiley, Chief Executive Officer, Milwaukee World Festival, Inc.

“We’ve had a valued partnership with Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. and Summerfest for six years, and the Let the Music Play Program underscores our commitment to the community and inspiring the dreams of young artists,” said American Family Insurance Chief Marketing Officer Sherina Smith. These schools and organizations provide accessible, creative outlets for Milwaukee-area youth and we’re proud that ‘under our roof’ we can continue to support their efforts and amazing outcomes.”

Let The Music Play is open to non-profit organizations and schools that serve Milwaukee County through music-based programming for students. The grant program is intended to represent the variety of music-based activities taking place in the greater Milwaukee community and is open to programs ranging from band, orchestra, and jazz to musical theater and dance.

About Milwaukee World Festival, Inc.
Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. is an independent, private 501(c)(3) corporation founded in 1965 that produces Summerfest presented by American Family Insurance, a three-weekend music festival featuring over 600 artists across 12 stages.  Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. also maintains and improves Henry Maier Festival Park, a permanent festival park, located on 75 acres of Lake Michigan shoreline in Milwaukee, WI.  Henry Maier Festival Park hosts millions of visitors throughout its season through a variety of ethnic and cultural festivals, concerts, walks, runs, and other special events. The mission of the organization is to promote an understanding of different ethnic cultures and celebrate the unique histories and traditions of various nationalities, bolster civic pride and provide a showcase for performing arts, activities, and recreation for the public and offer employment opportunities for the youth of the community. For more details, visit MilwaukeeWorldFestival.com, Facebook.com/MilwaukeeWorldFestival, or Instagram: @MilwaukeeWorldFestival.

About the American Family Insurance Group
Based in Madison, Wisconsin, American Family Insurance has been serving customers since 1927. We inspire, protect and restore dreams through our insurance products, exceptional service from our agency owners and employees, community investment and creative partnerships to address societal challenges. We act on our belief in diversity and inclusion by constantly evolving to meet customer needs and preferences. American Family Insurance group is the nation’s 12th-largest property/casualty insurance group, ranking No. 301 on the Fortune 500 list. The group sells American Family-brand products, primarily through exclusive agency owners in 19 states. The American Family Insurance Group also includes CONNECT, powered by American Family Insurance, The General, Homesite and Main Street America Insurance. Across these companies the group has nearly 13,000 employees nationwide.

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.