MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee County has given out several grants to local art and culture organizations who are struggling due to the pandemic.
On Monday, Milwaukee County and their partner Imagine MKE announced the recipients of the pandemic relief aid. The news comes after the county announced $700,000 in CARES Act funding would go towards local arts and culture organizations.
Qualifying organizations could apply for the grants between Dec. 4 and Dec. 11. The organizations were then ranked and given grants based on their ratings.
The organizations could receive grants up to $25,000.
“The cultural and creative sectors of our County are important in terms of their economic impact and their employment, but they also spur innovation, contribute to the positive impact and marketing of the region, and make Milwaukee County a unique place to live, work, and play. Since the onset of the pandemic, they’ve also been among the hardest hit by an abrupt drop in revenue resulting in increased debts, reduced wages, and lay-offs,” said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley in a press release.
“We are grateful for the incredible leadership from the County Executive, Board of Supervisors, and the Parks Department to recognize this great need and take action to support our County’s vital arts and cultural infrastructure,” said David Lee, CEO of Imagine MKE.
Local organizations like the Marcus Center and Milwaukee Art Museum are among the recipients receiving larger grants.
Both the museum and the Marcus Center received $16,750. Milwaukee Film received a grant worth $19,100, and the largest grant worth $21,750 is going to the Wisconsin Hispanic Scholarship Foundation.
Other notable recipients include the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, and the Milwaukee Public Museum.
Crowley said around 80 organizations applied for grants. To see the full list of recipients, click here.
