July 2025
- Imagine MKE
- Jul 10
- 3 min read
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 production sector,” said Katie Heil, founding member of Action! Wisconsin. Katie is also the founding member of Imagine MKE, which serves as the umbrella organization for this statewide coalition of filmmakers, producers, businesses, and film and television project supporters and has advocated extensively for state investment and infrastructure for the sector.
“We are so grateful to lead authors Senator M. Julian Bradley and Representative David Armstrong, Governor Tony Evers, and the 40 other state legislators that co-sponsored bills with these initiatives,” Katie added. “This has been a truly bipartisan effort.”
With production incentives and a state film office, Wisconsin will immediately become a destination of interest to production companies, crews, and storytellers attracted to Wisconsin’s diverse beauty, variety of settings, and industry talent.
To the more than 1,000 individuals, organizations, companies, and local governments that emailed their lawmakers, provided testimony, passed resolutions and registered online support, thank you! You made this next chapter for Wisconsin’s film and tv industry and our state’s economy happen.
Imagine MKE and Action! Wisconsin look forward to working with the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, where the state film office will be housed and the incentives managed, to help reap the economic benefits of this investment and exposure.
Update on Funding for the Wisconsin Arts Board
The Wisconsin Arts Board (WAB) and Create Wisconsin continue to review and analyze what is and isn’t included in the newly passed state budget. We will share their perspective and outlook, regarding both state and federal funding soon.
Imagine MKE will continue to partner with Create Wisconsin, WAB and advocates statewide to champion the vital role arts and culture plays in our communities. The message to state and federal lawmakers remains the same -- investing in arts and culture matters.
More than an amenity, the arts and culture sector drives over $330 million in economic activity in Milwaukee alone. Continued public investment ensures creatives, organizations, and communities across Wisconsin thrive by strengthening local economies, enriching education, supporting mental health, and building a sense of belonging for all.
Mission and Work Take On Even More Importance
The highs and lows of the past few months and the ongoing quest for public and other forms of funding for arts and culture make the mission and work of Imagine MKE even more important.
As I mentioned last month, we’ve launched a series of strategic sessions to ensure Milwaukee’s nonprofit arts and culture sector is positioned for long-term strength and growth. In a challenging and competitive funding climate, this collaborative effort is critical to the sector’s future.
In June, we convened our first session of funders, business and civic leaders, and board members from arts and culture organizations. It was a meaningful first step toward building mutual understanding and alignment around increasing public investment and better coordinating philanthropy for greater community impact.
Our sessions, continuing through October, are designed to develop a shared vision and actionable plan to move Milwaukee’s creative sector securely forward. We’ll continue to keep you up to date about our progress.
my month in the arts
One of my greatest joys is getting out into the community, immersing myself in the incredible range of creativity that defines our region, from attending the Milwaukee Night Market to strolling the sidewalks of Cedarburg’s Strawberry Festival and the grounds of the Milwaukee Art Museum’s Festival of the Arts. Nearby, I experienced the energy of the world’s largest music festival at Summerfest and enjoyed music in a smaller setting at the historic Riverside Theater.
These events are just a small few of what make our region special and add so much to the quality of life we all enjoy. In our partnership with TMJ4, we hope to introduce more audiences to Milwaukee’s varied arts and culture organizations and venues, such as CR8TV House, a nonprofit dedicated to Black and other historically marginalized artists. Watch the segment here. And if you know of an arts and culture organization, event or rising star that Milwaukee should know about, please share your story idea here.
As summer unfolds, I remain inspired by the passion, creativity, and commitment of Milwaukee’s arts and culture community. I look forward to seeing many of you out and about in the weeks ahead.
Christine Hojnacki
Executive Director, Imagine MKE
