Small Arts & Culture Coalition (SMAC) Calls on Milwaukee County to Protect and Expand Funding for Arts Access
Milwaukee, WI — The Small Arts & Culture coalition (SMAC), a group of 11 Milwaukee-based arts organizations with annual operating budgets under $300,000, is calling on the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors to protect and expand funding for the arts through the County’s arts program, CAMPAC (County Fund for the Arts).
Earlier this month, the County Board’s Committee on Parks and Culture voted to hold back CAMPAC funds due to concerns about the current funding formula, which distributes funds equally to all approved applicants. On September 18, the Board voted to release the funds, while also suggesting that a new formula is needed.
“SMAC members applaud the Board for releasing much-needed funds,” said a coalition representative. “Further delay would have undermined our ability to deliver fall programming, pay artists, and meet commitments to communities across Milwaukee. For us, CAMPAC funds are not a luxury—they are essential.”
Funding Cuts Threaten Community Arts Access
SMAC is urging the Board to restore the $100,000 cut made to CAMPAC in the 2025 budget when developing the 2026 budget. That cut, combined with an increase in funded organizations, reduced individual allocations by 30%. For small, BIPOC-led and -serving groups, these reductions threaten the ability to provide programming in underfunded neighborhoods.
The coalition also supports broader community conversations about equity in public funding. “Counting numbers served oversimplifies an organization’s impact,” SMAC leaders noted. “Equity means resourcing organizations that provide critical cultural programming in communities that are often overlooked, often with minimal staff and infrastructure.”
Concerns Over Formula Redesign
While supportive of a review, SMAC raised concerns about the September 18 resolution that suggested the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF) play a role in designing a new CAMPAC formula. A 2024 Wisconsin Policy Forum report showed that of the $7.2 million UPAF raised, 41% went to just two large organizations, while only 4% was shared among 41 smaller groups.
“UPAF lacks the expertise to create equitable distribution,” said the coalition. “Milwaukee’s arts ecosystem is strongest when it reflects and supports all communities. The County Board must ensure CAMPAC remains a tool for equity, not consolidation.”
About SMAC
SMAC (Small Arts & Culture) is a coalition of 11 Milwaukee-based arts organizations working at the grassroots level to foster creativity, preserve cultural heritage, and engage local communities. Each member organization operates with an annual budget under $300,000. Together, SMAC represents the voices of small and emerging groups that ensure Milwaukee’s cultural ecosystem is diverse, accessible, and reflective of all communities.
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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