March 2026
- Imagine MKE
- 34 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Hosting the Governor and Celebrating Film Wisconsin
Yesterday was an exciting day for Imagine MKE and Action! Wisconsin as we hosted Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, Department of Tourism Secretary Anne Sayers, and Film Wisconsin Director Veronica Pope to celebrate the launch of the state’s newly established film office and production incentives.
We met at Milwaukee’s NŌ STUDIOS, where the state leaders toured Independent Studios and Duncan Entertainment and met with local filmmakers, producers and educators to learn more about current and upcoming projects and how the new film office and incentives will benefit local and state filmmaking. Check out our socials this week for tour pics and visit Film Wisconsin for more details, including how to apply for production credits.
We are grateful to Governor Evers for recognizing the film and creative industries as vital pillars of Wisconsin’s economy. By signing the Wisconsin Film Tax Incentives Bill, Wisconsin is positioned to attract new productions, create high-quality jobs, and keep our creative talent here at home.
Ensuring Arts & Culture is a State Election Issue
As Milwaukee’s only nonprofit focused on advocating and advancing the region’s entire creative sector, Imagine MKE is ensuring arts and culture issues are part of campaign discussions in Wisconsin’s upcoming Gubernatorial primary and general elections. We want to know if and how candidates plan to strengthen the creative sector and how they would prioritize sector investment and support.
First, we’re partnering with the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) to include questions in their series of upcoming town halls with party primary candidates. Second, we will send and ask all candidates to complete a brief survey on these and other related issues. We plan to share their responses on our website and other Imagine MKE communications.
Social RX Comes to Wisconsin
A growing body of research confirms that arts and culture play a powerful role in improving health and wellbeing. That’s why the Wisconsin Arts Board, alongside partners across the state, has worked to bring Social Rx (Social Prescription) to Wisconsin.
Join a free one-hour webinar next week to explore how arts and culture can support whole-person health. Learn more about Social Rx, partnership opportunities, and how you or your organization can get involved. Tuesday, March 17’s webinar is for higher education leaders. Wednesday, March 18 is for healthcare and clinical partners, and Thursday, March 19 is for creative and community-based organizations. Together, we can help build a healthier, more connected Wisconsin!
Honors for Exceptional Service to the Arts and the Broader Community
The City of Milwaukee Arts Board is accepting nominations for the Mildred L. Harpole Artists of the Year award and the Friends of the Arts award. Recipients of these awards represent excellence and exceptional service in Milwaukee’s arts community. Artists of the Year recipients receive a $1,500 cash award. Details and submit your nominations at milwaukee.gov/MAB by April 1.
Last month, I had the privilege of presenting a Milwaukee Magazine Unity Award to Katie Cummings. She’s the founder of Pink Umbrella Theater Co., Milwaukee’s first professional theater company with a focus on hiring Disabled Actors and Artists. Pink Umbrella amplifies the voices of disabled artists through the performing arts. The Unity Awards annually honors people and organizations who make Milwaukee a better place for all. Read more on how Katie is doing just that.
TMJ4 Wants Your Stories
TMJ4 News wants to hear from you. Through our partnership, we’re working to increase coverage of Milwaukee’s arts and culture sector. In a new video message from reporter Cassandra McShepard, she invites the creative community to share their stories: “Bring us to your rehearsals. Bring us behind the scenes. Take us to your studios. How do you do what you do? That’s where a good story lies.”
From why your next exhibit or performance is a must-see to spotlighting hidden gems and rising stars, you’re invited to submit story ideas about your organization, mission, and upcoming events directly to TMJ4's Milwaukee Tonight newsroom.
Other Highlights and Reminders
A reminder, applications for Herzfeld Foundation grants that support small arts organizations, arts education, and arts awareness are due by April 10.
The more I meet with leaders across Milwaukee, the clearer it becomes how deeply this community cares about the ways arts and culture touch our lives culturally, socially, and economically. I recently joined Professional Dimensions, one of our leading women’s professional associations, for a dinner and dialogue that was full of curiosity and meaningful questions that sparked important conversation.
Yay Milwaukee! We were voted #5 in the latest USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Cities for Street Art. Wisconsin communities were also recognized in the categories of Best Small Town Arts Scene and Best Sculpture Park.
Recognitions like these affirm what we already know. Milwaukee’s creativity is bold, visible, and deeply woven into the fabric of our local community, and I’m proud to stand alongside all of you who help make that possible.
Christine Hojnacki
Executive Director, Imagine MKE
