Arts & Culture: Hands that Uplift & Create

Music, dance, drama and literature energize the community with their art: from The Milwaukee Rep's production of Wilkie Collins' novel, Armadale, to The Nutcracker at the Milwaukee Ballet. Through projects like these, the Foundation lends its support to create a more lively and interesting community. Here are a few examples.

Young Artists & Their Artistry

Milwaukee Youth Arts Center
A three-year grant helped convert an old warehouse into much needed state-of-the-art rehearsal and performance space for two successful community groups: First Stage Children's Theater, the largest theatre academy for children in the country, and the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra. For years, both groups had been practicing in overcrowded make-do spaces throughout the city, a hardship for both performers and their parents.

 
The new $15 million Center gives well-designed, comfortable space to young artists as well as the parents who shuttle them to rehearsals. Three large rehearsal halls, 10 rehearsal rooms, and an equal number of lesson rooms give youngsters the elbow room to extend a violin bow or to practice hitting their mark on a stage floor. The Center is as functional as it is bright and airy, and is now the home of numerous other arts group, including The Milwaukee Children's Choir, Festival City Symphony, and several dance groups.

The Milwaukee Symphony ACE Program
For over 15 years, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra (MSO) has offered the Arts in Community Education (ACE) program. Supported in part by the Northwestern Mutual Foundation, ACE integrates the arts into the classroom, serving 8,000 students and 500 teachers in the Milwaukee area public and private schools. This nationally recognized program includes school visits made by over 100 MSO musicians and other community partners as they share their knowledge, talents and passion for music with the children of Milwaukee. ACE also extends beyond the classroom by offering grade specific concerts during the school day and Family night concerts in the evening.

Excellence on Stage

The city of Milwaukee is renowned for the number of arts organizations that continually produce high quality performances in the areas of music, theatre and dance. The Northwestern Mutual Foundation has been a proud sponsor of many of these outstanding productions. Not only do these shows add to the quality of life in Southeastern Wisconsin, but they also inspire, challenge and empower Milwaukee audiences through their art.

Milwaukee's United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF)
UPAF has become nationally recognized as a model of collaboration in sustaining the performing arts. The organization provides general operating support for 16 member groups and 19 affiliates, helping keep the arts alive and well in greater Milwaukee. Year after year, Northwestern Mutual leads the metro area in contributions that fuel UPAF's work. In 2007 the company became the first corporate donor to reach the $1 million mark in total support, a feat that was repeated in 2008.

Milwaukee Ballet Presents: The Nutcracker
A Holiday season favorite, the Milwaukee Ballet's version of The Nutcracker doesn't take a back seat to anyone. Artistic Director Michael Pink astutely brings Clara's dream world to life on stage, complete with marching soldiers, lovely snow fairies, and precious angels. The Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra plays the familiar Tchaikovsky score, and both The Milwaukee Children's Choir and the Milwaukee Ballet School dancers bring a youthful joy to the production.

Milwaukee Chamber Theatre Presents: Rabbit Hole
There's always a need to explore the classics, but it's also important to bring the best new works to the city as well. That's why The Northwestern Mutual Foundation is pleased to sponsor the Milwaukee premiere of David Lindsay-Abaire's 2007 Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Rabbit Hole. One of Milwaukee's oldest, most well-established professional theatre companies, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre (MCT) is the perfect company to produce this important script, which takes an in-depth look at domestic tragedy and the healing power of family.

Next Act Theatre Presents: Lombardi: The Only Thing
Known for its "up-Close-and-Personal" acting style, Next Act Theatre takes an in-depth look at a true Wisconsin icon—Vince Lombardi. Although the play certainly taps into the community's fanaticism and passion for the Green Bay Packers, it also takes an honest look at a man who wrestled with many fears and doubts. Lombardi will remind audiences that greatness is not a miracle but a positive achievement of human will and courage.