In a move that democratizes the experience of art for the youngest among us, the Milwaukee Art Museum has opened its doors wide to children 12 and under, granting them free admission "in perpetuity," a welcome shift made possible by an anonymous donor's substantial $3.54 million endowment, as reported by FOX6 Now.
It's a significant boon for families, effective immediately, and it's not just stepping into the museum that won't cost, because this gift ensures that the collections, exhibitions and youth and family programs can nourish young minds without the barrier of an entry fee, this generous act reaffirms the institution's commitment to art education at no cost to its participants in doing so, it mirrors Milwaukee's own ethos, one deeply invested in community and the fruits of shared cultural spaces, as detailed by CBS58.
"This wonderful gift is a celebration of the way that philanthropy can have a significant and lasting impact for generations," expressed André Allaire, Chief Development Officer, with a tone of gratitude matched by Marcelle Polednik, PhD, Donna and Donald Baumgartner Director, who shared, "The endowment established from this inspirational donation will keep that tradition alive for future generations of the communities we serve," as mentioned on CBS58.
Amy Kirschke, the museum's Barbara Brown Lee Chief Learning and Engagement Officer, sees the donation as enabling the museum space to be "an accessible, safe space where kids can express themselves, apply their critical thinking and imagination, build their visual literacy skills, strengthen their relationships with others, and learn through creative play" and all of those are significant to early childhood development; so the museum, and by extension the city of Milwaukee, lays down the gauntlet for other cultural institutions to follow suit, to innovate the ways in which the arts can become part of the fabric of every child's upbringing, according to a statement obtained by CBS58.
