Milwaukee Arts Board Opens Public Art New Work Fund’s 2021 Cycle

The Milwaukee Arts Board Public Art Subcommittee has launched its 2021 cycle of funding for the creation of public art in the City of Milwaukee. The Subcommittee seeks strategic partnerships with organizations, neighborhoods and artists to commission public art in the City of Milwaukee. Although the Arts Board’s public art resources are limited, the subcommittee can use its technical expertise to assist in the selection process, and can work with partners to select artists and leverage resources.

In 2021, Public Art New Work Fund applications will be considered on a rolling basis as long as funds remain. The Arts Board will make $15,000 available for this fund. Individual awards of up to $5,000 must be matched by the applicant.  Qualifying works must be fully accessible to the public. The guidelines are available on the Arts Board website, and the application is available here.

At its scheduled meeting on April 13, 2021 the Public Art Subcommittee will begin reviewing the applications. Applications considered at that meeting must be submitted on or before March 30, 2021.  Thereafter, applications submitted at least two weeks before a regularly scheduled subcommittee meeting will be considered at that session.

The most recent new work awards went to Arts Wisconsin for the “This is Milwaukee” project, Milwaukee Downtown BID #21 for their “Road to Democracy” project, Riverworks Development Corporation for their “Beerline Trail Wayfinding Project,” Sculpture Milwaukee’s “Riepenhoff Oven Project,” Washington Heights Neighborhood Association’s “Vliet Street Bookcase Mural,” and West Side Arts Unlimited for their “The New State Concept Mural.”

To inquire with the Public Art Subcommittee about a project or to ask questions about the Public Art New Work Fund application process, contact the arts board at artsboard@milwaukee.gov.  A comprehensive list of public art in the City of Milwaukee can be found on Wikipedia.