Creative Alliance Milwaukee Information

The Cultural Alliance of Greater Milwaukee was formed in 2005 by a group of cultural leaders who recognized the need for an umbrella organization representing the arts and culture sector in greater Milwaukee. In 2008, the Cultural Alliance was commissioned by the GMC to conduct an audit of the major cultural assets in the region, including a review of organized philanthropic support. This study, The Cultural Asset Inventory of the Seven County Region, made clear that the Milwaukee region has outstanding arts and cultural assets—and a fragile infrastructure. The study recommended a planning process for the creative community incorporating for-profit business, nonprofit arts and culture organizations, and individual artists and creatives. As a result of the initial study, Creativity Works! Milwaukee Regional Creative Industries Project launched in 2009 with the goal of inventorying and growing the Milwaukee seven county region’s creative economy. In January of 2011, the report Creative Industries A New Economic Growth Opportunity for the Milwaukee 7 Region was released. The report recommended a strategic action plan for the region’s creative sector. In order to implement those recommendations and serve the broader creative industries in the Milwaukee region, the Cultural Alliance became the Creative Alliance Milwaukee in April 2011, with the goal of adding jobs, small businesses, and increased creative capacity in our region that will ultimately lead to more innovation.