FAR 5100 - Community Engagement Case Study: Marcus Performing Arts Center

Community Engagement

Marcus PerformingArts Center

For 50 + years in the heart of Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s Downtown, MPAC is the premier home for high-quality arts and cultural programming in the midwest.

If you are searching for an organization that understands the needs of their community, is always reinventing ways to expand its artistic reach, and is a cultural landmark, look no further than the Marcus Center of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Since 1969, they have strived to be the bridge between cultures and a force for collaboration and advocacy for the community.

The Marcus Center is Home to many prominent arts organizations

The Marcus Center showcases their dedication to being a center for all arts cultivation and education by housing organizations that cater to all spectrums of the arts world: Dance (Milwaukee Ballet), Music (MYSO), Opera,Theater (First Stage), and BIPOC Visual & PerformingArts (BlackArts MKE).

There are 5 performance spaces perfect for each company’s needs, and are open to the community for reservations.

Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra

Wilson Theater

Kidz Stage

Todd Wehr Theater Peck Pavilion

KENDRA WHITLOCK INGRAM

& CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

On MPAC’s drive toward diversity, community relationship and representation

“We’re really strategic about the artists that we bring to the Marcus Center. MPAC represents the diversity, both ethnic and cultural, of the Milwaukee community; so we really want Milwaukee to see themselves on our stages. That’s a really big part of our program decision-making…”

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On the drive toward diversity

“Our key goal is to be a true community gathering place for all. In order to do that, the community needs to be able [to] see themself on stage, in our staff, in the folks who work behind the scenes. It’s really important that we reflect the community…”

Kendra Whitlock Ingram

We imagine and create the world we want to see

Cultural Ambassador Program

Donald Driver

Part of MPAC’s commitment to racial equity, diversity and inclusion, they partnered with former Green Bay Packer and community advocate, Donald Driver to promote the power of the arts, culture and community engagement by making the arts more accessible to underserved youth, families and communities of color throughout Southeast Wisconsin.

The 4-year partnership with the Donald Driver Foundation will work together to create educational community and youth content, and provide access to MPAC’s current programming to underserved communities and student groups.

Press Release Bader Philanthropies, Inc.

Value #2: We break down barriers

The Marcus Center’s Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion action plan aims to have a minimum of 30% of MPAC Presents programming representing BIPOC artists, and commits to investing in programs that remove barriers to participation. And, that goal was exceeded in 2021 with 63%.

Kendra Whitlock Ingram, CEO & President

Marcus Performing Arts Center

“As a performing arts center in a vibrant major city, it is our mission to bring the best of the performing arts to Milwaukee.”

The Marcus Center acts as an energizing force that connects our community to the world through collaboration, innovation, social engagement and the transformative power of live performing arts.

The arts programming and community engagement that MPAC is implementing help define their value of: providing diverse and inclusive programing and events

Student

Inclusive & Educational Programming

★ MPAC Presents:Acollection of family-friendly educational programming and live performances

Arts Connect: Partnering with local high schools for a week-long musical theater workshop led by traveling Broadway stars

Pay WhatYou Can:Aprogram aiming to make shows affordable

Student Matinee Series:Acollaboration between MPAC and the Milwaukee School District to present world-class performances for only $5 per student

Special Cultural Presentations

Heroes Day

Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration

Cesar Chavez Celebration

Opening Our Doors:Aprogram for local companies to schedule a discounted “Night Out” for their employees

★ Cantos De LasAmericas - ATribute to Education:An annual concert celebration honoring the many cultures represented in K4 - Grade 12 in MPS

Marcus PerformingArts Center has been approved for a $30,000 Grants forArts Projects award to support its MPAC Presents programming. Specific funding from the NEAwill help support the Marcus PerformingArts Center’s new arts and culture series of Dance, Jazz, Student Matinee, and special music performances

"The National Endowment for theArts is proud to support arts projects like this one from Marcus PerformingArts Center that help support the community's creative economy," said NEAActing ChairAnn Eilers. "Marcus PerformingArts Center in Milwaukee is among the arts organizations nationwide that are using the arts as a source of strength, a path to well-being, and providing access and opportunity for people to connect and find joy through the arts."

All of this impactful programming would not be possible without the help of:

special thanks to the kind donations of the Marcus Family and Milwaukee community!

Community Engagement Overview

As a staple of arts education and programming in the community for over half a century, the Marcus Center has proven their dedication to the community in which they serve.

Their location being in the downtown area that has local bus stops directly in front of the building, partnering with the school district to provide transportation to and from shows, making performances affordable and accessible, highlighting artists and subject-matter that is relevant to the community, presenting educational content, and bringing some of their programs directly to schools again in light of the changed restrictions due to the COVID-19 outbreak:The Marcus PerformingArts Center finds a way to live up to their organizational goal of trying to make the arts diverse and inclusive for all.

With the ever expanding partnerships they have as the years progress, it shows that the community cares for them just as much and thinks highly of their contribution to society. Even the many grants and sponsorships both locally and nationally seem to echo this sentiment as well.

As arts administrative practitioners we need that kind of trust and ever-evolving relationship with our community.As a longstanding entity, the MPAC could just as easily continued what had always been beneficial for the organization, but especially in light of the many political, environmental and social changes that have happened since the turn of the decade, they recognized that they needed to change with the times, and the REDI action plan and its current success is a sign of that change and their community’s acceptance of it.

Community Engagement isn’t just about creating great programming and putting on phenomenal performances; it’s about connecting with your audience, understanding their needs, and how your organization can satisfy them while also being willing to innovate and grow with them.And the Marcus Center proves that this approach can be successful.