Art:Forward Gala

Events

Overview

  • Saturday, September 20, 2025

  • 6 p.m. cocktails, 7 p.m. dinner

Thank you for your interest in the Milwaukee Art Museum’s Art:Forward Gala. This event has reached full capacity. If you have any questions about the event or if you would like to support the gala’s success in another way, please contact Sarah Kolar, Manager of Stewardship and Donor Events, at sarah.kolar@mam.org or 414-224-3259.

The Art:Forward Gala will be an elegant evening celebrating the momentous 50th anniversary of the Bradley Collection of Modern Art. Fifty years ago, Mrs. Harry Lynde “Peg” Bradley’s extraordinary act of generosity shared nearly 400 modern and contemporary masterpieces with the public for the first time, forever transforming the Milwaukee Art Museum and the city’s cultural landscape. Today, her legacy continues to inspire and serves as a powerful reminder of how philanthropy can shape not only institutions, but the future of a community.

At the gala, guests will visit The Bradley Collection of Modern Art: A Bold Vision for Milwaukee in the Baker/Rowland Galleries, the first time the Bradley Collection has been presented in our most prominent exhibition space. Following the cocktail hour and dinner, guests will enjoy live music, as well as an auction and a paddle raise in support of the Museum’s mission.

View highlights from the 2024 event.

See photos (opens in new window)

Contact

For questions about the gala or Museum support opportunities, please contact Sarah Kolar, manager of stewardship and donor events, at 414-224-3259 or sarah.kolar@mam.org.

2025 Support

Host committee

  • Laura and Mike Arnow

  • Donna and Donald Baumgartner

  • Tony and Vicki Cecalupo

  • Joan Lubar and John Crouch

  • Sheldon and Marianne Lubar

  • Jane Bradley Pettit Foundation

  • David and Julia Uihlein

  • Lynde B. Uihlein

  • Gail and Jeff Yabuki

  • Sarah and Steve Zimmerman

Table sponsors

  • Associated Bank

  • BMO Wealth Management

  • Brewers Community Foundation

  • Ellen and Joe Checota

  • Eugenia and David Coggin

  • Katie Heil

  • Thomas Hesselbrock and Carl Spatz

  • J. Jeffers & Co.

  • Johnson Controls

  • James K. Kloppenburg

  • Tom and Jane Lacy

  • Elizabeth Levins and Herbert Zien

  • Michael Best & Friedrich LLP

  • Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c.

  • John Shannon and Jan Serr, GUARDIAN Fine Art Services

  • Diane and Clark Slipher

  • Amalia Todryk and Quarles & Brady LLP

  • U.S. Bank

Individual supporters

  • Daniel and Linda Bader

  • Paul E. Barkhaus

  • Geralyn Cannon

  • CG Schmidt, Inc.

  • Mauree Childress

  • Mary and James Connelly

  • Amy and Frederick Croen

  • Agnes and Daniel Domagala, Major Dental Clinics

  • Barbara Meyer Elsner Foundation

  • Laura and John D. Emory, Jr.

  • McKenzie and Jason Edmonds

  • Ellen and James Flesch

  • Ellen and Richard Glaisner

  • Dr. Shaheda Govani and Neil DeKarske

  • GRAEF

  • Kurt and Charmaine Gunderson

  • Matthew Helmerich and Jeffrey Harwell

  • Gail Hesselbrock

  • Megan Holbrook

  • Kim Hurtado

  • Mike Jones and Peggy Mead

  • Shinji Lee Kaiser

  • Mason Khan

  • Grant and Carrie Killoran

  • Sue Krausen

  • Raymond and Barbara Krueger

  • Peter Kudlata and Margie Freeman Kudlata

  • Tom and Cynthia LaConte

  • Wayne and Kristine Lueders

  • Korinne Mack

  • Sandra and Marc McSweeney

  • Sarah Mulloy

  • Jill G. Pelisek

  • Jim and Karen Petric

  • PNC

  • Emma Rarick

  • Colleen Reilly and Dan Ryan

  • Dennis Sheahan

  • Kristin and John Sheehan

  • Pamela and Jeffrey Shovers

  • Sally and Steve Stevens

  • Christine A. Symchych and James P. McNulty

  • Kent and Marcia Velde

  • Wealthspire Advisors

  • Anonymous (2)

  • As of September 1, 2025