Dear friends, As I reflect on this holiday season and the moments that have brought me the most joy and connection, I’m reminded that nearly every meaningful experience is wrapped in creativity. Time spent with family and friends is often accompanied by music that fills the room, beloved holiday films, live performances that move us, festive lights that brighten our neighborhoods, and laughter that reminds us we belong. So many of our traditions are rooted in the arts—handmad

Celebrating Six Years of Imagine MKE This month marks six years since Imagine MKE first took shape. Born from the imagination and determination of more than 100 artists, civic leaders, business partners, and community champions, our founders envisioned something bold for Milwaukee. A city where arts, culture, and creativity are not afterthoughts, but driving forces shaping who we are and where we’re headed. They saw what was missing — a dedicated home for the creative sector,

Aligning Leaders and Community Vision We’re thrilled to share that one of Milwaukee’s most devoted civic champions, Jeff Sherman, has joined the Imagine MKE Board of Directors. A kind thought leader without pretense, Jeff is a big picture thinker and successful entrepreneur. The lifelong greater Milwaukee resident promotes and positions his hometown with unfettered optimism through his digital and community platforms, leadership, service, and business acumen. We are so grate

Meeting the Moment Public funding for arts and culture organizations remains at risk, including funding from Milwaukee County. Last week, the County’s Parks and Culture Committee Members voted to delay the release of Cultural, Artistic and Musical Programming Advisory Council (CAMPAC) funding budgeted for 2025. We’re hopeful that funding will be provided by year end, but it’s also important to note it was a reduced investment -- $100,000 less -- from 2024. Learn more, inclu

Lights! Camera! Action! Let's Go! Wisconsin’s pending film office and production tax incentives are making national news, including the Hollywood Reporter, “Welcome to Hollywood: Wisconsin Joins Film Tax Credit Race." Closer to home, the Milwaukee Business Journal’s new culture and tourism reporter outlined what’s next in this story. “Milwaukee — and Wisconsin — is now open for business to the film industry,” said State Senator Julian Bradley, the new legislation’s lead co-au

A New Chapter for Wisconsin's Film and TV Industry With the newly passed 2025-2027 biennial state budget, the state’s creative economy is poised for growth. The budget includes an investment to establish a state film office and offer film and TV production tax credits. “It’s a great day for Wisconsin. We are thrilled the State Legislature and Governor recognized this enormous economic development opportunity that will attract additional private investment in the film and pr

Positive Steps Forward The mood is positive as legislative efforts to create film production incentives and establish a State Film Office continue to move forward. This week the Senate Committee on Utilities, Tourism, and Technology unanimously approved SB 231 as amended following last month’s Assembly Committee on Ways and Means approval. The proposed legislation advances with growing bipartisan support statewide. The Bill’s co-sponsors include nearly three dozen state Repre

Making Our Voices Heard Last month the Wisconsin Joint Finance Committee held four public hearings on the proposed 2025-2027 biennial state budget. Action! Wisconsin steering committee member and filmmaker, Suzanne Jurva, Create Wisconsin Executive Director Anne Katz, and I were among the first in line for the West Allis hearing. We joined dozens of other champions for arts, culture, and film/TV production to testify why lawmakers should pass a final budget that: Establishe

New Data: Growing Economic Impact of Arts & Culture New data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis released this week points to the growing economic impact of arts and culture. Nationwide, the arts and cultural sector grew at more than twice the rate of the total economy between 2022 and 2023. In Wisconsin, arts and cultural production accounted for $12.4 billion in value added to the state economy in 2023. That’s up from $11.9 billion the year before. Additionally, more

An Important First Step A loud round of applause for funding that invests in the arts, culture, and creative sector in Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers’ recently proposed 2025-2027 biennial state budget. It’s an important first step. The budget includes a funding increase that raises the per capita spending for the arts, culture, and creative sector from $0.18 to an estimated $0.68. If passed, this increase would move Wisconsin from 48th to 38th in per capita spending nationwide

Seize the Moment It's hard to believe it’s already February and nearly 10 weeks since I joined Imagine MKE as the new executive director. It’s a role that is generating media attention and momentum, putting arts, culture and creative industries, including its challenges and benefits, center stage. Earlier this week I was interviewed by Spectrum News 1 Wisconsin, a statewide cable TV news service, and in an upcoming episode on WTM4’s Morning Blend, Imagine MKE will be the feat