JUNE 2025
- Imagine MKE
- Jun 5
- 3 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
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 Representatives and Senators from both parties.
Members of Action! Wisconsin, a statewide coalition of filmmakers, producers, businesses, and film and television project supporters, were among those that testified during public hearings last month in support of the bill. Additionally, a number of individuals and organizations submitted written testimony to Assembly and Senate committees, including executives from the Department of Tourism, Wisconsin Hotel and Lodging Association, League of Wisconsin Municipalities, and Create Wisconsin.
“This bill aims to make Wisconsin competitive by attracting filmmakers and productions through meaningful incentives, which in turn support local businesses, job creation, and increased tourism,” wrote Senator Julian Bradley, the lead Senate author. “Importantly, AB 231 ensures fiscal responsibility by distributing state funds only after production spending has occurred and been documented. Additionally, minimum spending requirements will guarantee that significant portion of each production’s budget benefits local business across multiple sectors, including hospitality, transportation, construction, and catering.”
Establishing Wisconsin film production incentives and a state film office is one step closer toward a vote of the State Senate and State Assembly. Imagine MKE serves as the umbrella organization for Action! Wisconsin.
We also continue to advocate for increased funding to the Wisconsin Arts Board in the proposed 2025-2027 state budget. This funding will be used as aid to arts organizations statewide. Anne Katz, Executive Director of Create Wisconsin, says, “Wisconsin has the best chance we've had in a long, long time to grow the state's investment in the arts, culture, and creativity. Now is the time for you to act. The budget process is rapidly moving towards completion, so time is of the essence.”
Urge your legislators to strengthen Wisconsin’s economy by investing in our arts, culture, and creative sector. Visit Create Wisconsin and Action! Wisconsin to easily generate and send emails directly to your Representatives and Senators.
Planning for the future
With the constant effort to secure Wisconsin public funding, a changing corporate and philanthropic landscape locally, and national funding being cut or at risk, we’re preparing to convene a series of strategic sessions to address the financial challenges facing Milwaukee’s creative sector.
We’re bringing together funders; business and civic leaders; and board members from arts and culture organizations to build a shared vision and plan forward to strengthen funding, align resources, and advance a thriving, sustainable arts and culture sector. We look forward to sharing updates as these sessions run June through October.
increasing media coverage
Through our partnership with TMJ4 News, we’re increasing media coverage about Milwaukee’s diverse arts and culture community. TRUE Skol, Above the Clouds, Black Cat Alley, Next Act Theatre, Outpost Co-op’s Community Creatives, and Mindful Mondays at Greenwood Park Gallery and Framing, were all featured on Milwaukee Tonight during live onsite segments and studio interviews. More lives shots, interviews, and stories will be aired weekdays on TMJ4 Milwaukee Tonight at 6:30pm.
Want to make news about your organization, behind the scenes work, an upcoming event, or a rising star? Submit your story idea at www.imaginemke.org/tmj4-contact-form and share this link with your creative network.
Sculpture milwaukee: art without walls
We’re thrilled to partner with Sculpture Milwaukee as a Wayfinding Sponsor for their 2025 map of outdoor public art exhibitions, spread over two miles of downtown, the Historic Third Ward and beyond. There are several new installations this summer including works at Museum Center Park, riverside near the Marcus Performing Arts Center, the Haggerty Museum of Art, and Walkers Point Center for the Arts. Other newsworthy additions include a collaboration between America's Black Holocaust Museum, the City of Milwaukee, and Milwaukee Downtown BID to install a piece at Vel R. Phillips Plaza. Learn more about the artists on view and their sculpture. Then, download the Sculpture Milwaukee map online to plan your visit to see world-class sculpture, or pick a map at any sculpture location.
my month in the arts
I spent this past month immersed in the richness of Milwaukee’s arts, culture, and creative offerings. From reflecting on powerful exhibits at the Haggerty Museum of Art, Grohmann Museum, Lily Pad Gallery and public art displayed throughout the city to connecting with business and cultural leaders at the Visit Milwaukee Annual Meeting—and even riding alongside thousands of supporters in the UPAF Ride for the Arts—I’ve experienced firsthand the vibrancy of our city thanks to its creatives.
Christine Hojnacki
Executive Director, Imagine MKE
