Joy Engine's Year-End Impact Report

Year-End Impact Report

Joy Engine 2025

Mission Statement Joy Engine is a nonprofit public art organization curating intentional, immersive art experiences to connect, uplift, and inspire the Milwaukee commmunity.

Message from Steph Salvia, Executive Director Dear Community, Joy Engine creates free, all-ages public art experiences that bring Milwaukee together. By activating reimagined spaces and partnering with local artists, we spark joy, curiosity, and connection across neighborhoods; creating shared cultural experiences that strengthen city pride and social connection.

Celebrating through art helps us imagine a more joyful future together.

I’m proud to share Joy Engine’s latest impact report, which highlights some of our most meaningful work from the past year. From ArtBlaze, our immersive summer arts series that brings creative energy to Milwaukee’s public beaches, to unique sponsorship collaborations like the Milwaukee River Round Up, to our Joy Grants program that funds local artists and community-led projects. We’re committed to using art as an engine for connection, equity, and of course, joy. This report captures how your support fuels that mission and the tangible ways we’re helping Milwaukee thrive.

On a personal note, I am beyond grateful to lead a nonprofit that isn’t afraid to dream big, get a little weird, and infuse everyday spaces with wonder. It’s a true honor to work alongside artists, partners, supporters, neighbors and visitors who share our belief that joy is essential, and that art can be the engine that drives it. What a blast to be a part of something so delightfully bold. Thank you!

Steph Salvia Executive Director

Event Highlights ArtBlaze

Photo Cred: Samer Ghani 2024

Photo Cred: Nate Vomhof 2025

ArtBlaze is a series of free, family-friendly events designed to be a celebration of community, creativity, and connection.

After its popular debut at Bradford and South Shore in 2024, ArtBlaze returned for the second season. The event made a real splash this summer at McKinley Beach, featuring live music, dancers, local vendors, hands-on art activities, and delicious waterside s’mores.

Join us in 2026 on McKinley and South Shore beaches!

“Love what you guys are doing” - Kenzie S.

“Keep up the amazing work!”

- Craig R.

“Love the Joy Engine events!”

- Ashley N.

ArtBlaze Impact FuzzPop Workshop and UW-Milwaukee’s School of Architecture & Urban Planning Students Joy Engine commissioned FuzzPop Workshop, with the help of UW-Milwaukee students from the School of Architecture & Urban Planning to bring to life our 2025 ArtBlaze art installation, Threshold.

The sculptures stretched nearly 1,000 feet and stood 25’ tall with enchanting loops and curls that sprawled from sand to water, forming an open space to gather and play.

Photo Cred: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

The Ability Center We’re so grateful to The Ability Center for helping us make ArtBlaze more accessible!

They generously loaned us mobility mats and beach wheelchairs so everyone could fully participate and experience the enchanting art installation up close.

Accessibility is core to our mission, and we believe that public art experiences should be inclusive for everyone.

Photo Cred: Nate Vomhof

Marketing

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PAID PERFORMERS AND ARTISTS

Snapshot of Financials Our financial report reflects how our values show up in practice.

The majority of our funds are directed toward programming, ensuring that resources primarily support local artists, public art experiences, and community impact. We allocate our funds to deliver meaningful programming that aligns with our values and mission.

Prof Services 3.2% Administration 15.8%

Marketing 1.8% Other 4.5%

Programs 74.7%

JOY Grants Through our JOY Grant, we award over $50K annually to help local artists and organizations spread joy through art in our communities.

2025 Grant Recipients: The Native Wellness Garden at Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Natalie Derr Nateya Taylor Milwaz Talleres Riverworks Development Corporation & Heard Space MKE Your Move MKE Inc. Quasimondo Physical Theatre

Derr received funds to support the documentary film, Forged

by Steele, that follows Issac Steele, a third-generation Black cowboy who runs a Western-themed welding shop in Milwaukee and mentors local youth.

Derr will be premiering the film at next year’s Milwaukee Film Festival on March 29th at The Historic Oriental Theatre.

Stay tuned for our 2026 grant recipients!

Sponsorships MKE River Round Up

Sacred Song of Life

Beet Street

The MKE River Round-Up Concert Series with FunkClub Wagon ran twelve times over the summer, inviting guests to paddle the Milwaukee river while enjoying live music. It showcased and supported 24 local artists and bands.

The rainwater tank mural is created by artists Karim Jabbari and Jaime Brown. The piece features Arabic calligraphy representing the four elements, Earth, Water, Air, and Fire.

The mural is located at Art Intersection in Milwaukee.

The Beet Street Fall Festival is an autumn block party uplifting the intersections of music and community causes.

Beet Street celebrates food and music, and gives a platform to city-wide community organizations.

Milwaukee Night Market

A vibrant, free, outdoor summer street festival on West Wisconsin Avenue featuring over 100 food vendors, artists, makers, and performers, transforming downtown into a lively hub on select Wednesdays.

Washington Park Wednesdays

A free summer series featuring live music, diverse food trucks, local vendors, and familyfriendly activities at the Washington Park Bandshell.

POWERED BY JOY

Photo Cred: Samer Ghani

Photo Cred: Samer Ghani

Joy Engine relies on the financial support of sponsors and donations to contine our mission of spreading JOY to the community through art.

Current Board Members & Staff Doug McDonald President & Co-Founder ModGen

Steph Salvia Executive Director

Monique Charlier Board Member Rivet

Margaret Czaplewski Board Member

Jacobo Lovo Board Member Latino Arts

John Blust Board Member

JoAnna Bautch Board Member VIA CDC

Hannah Hernandez

Holly Potter Board Member Quad Graphics

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Visit Milwaukee

Special Projects Manager

Thank you to all the sponsors, partners, staff, volunteers, artists, and attendees who make our work possible! We truly appreciate you!

1100 S 5th Street, Suite 317 Milwaukee, WI 53204

FOLLOW US!

steph@joyengine.org www.joyengine.org

@joyengine