Art:Forward Gala

Events

Overview

  • Saturday, September 19, 2026

Join us at the Art:Forward Gala as we celebrate a momentous milestone—25 years of the Quadracci Pavilion at the Milwaukee Art Museum. The soaring icon designed by Santiago Calatrava is both a symbol of our city and a catalyst for creativity, connection, and civic pride.

This year’s gala brings together Milwaukee’s cultural, business, philanthropic, and civic leaders to celebrate the vision and drive that brought the Quadracci Pavilion to life—and to champion what comes next. As the Museum’s only annual fundraising event, the Gala fuels the artistic, educational, and community-driven programs that inspire us today and will continue to spark creativity for generations to come.

We hope you will join us for a memorable evening, all in support of the Museum.

Tables and tickets

Silver anniversary host committee table—$25,000
Premium table for 10 guests
Host Committee listing in the gala program

Art:Forward table—$15,000
Prominent table for 10 guests
Listing in the gala program

Supporter table—$7,500
Table for 8 guests
Listing in the gala program

VIP ticket—$2,500
One ticket to the event
Prominent listing in the gala program

Individual ticket—$750
One ticket to the event
Listing in the gala program

All but $150 per ticket may be tax-deductible.

View highlights from the 2025 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.

2026 Support

Host committee

  • Laura and Mike Arnow

  • Donna and Donald Baumgartner

  • Anthony and Vicki Cecalupo

  • CG Schmidt

  • Sandy and Bill Haack

  • Joan Lubar and John Crouch

  • Sheldon and Marianne Lubar

  • Eileen and Barry Mandel

  • Joel and Caran Quadracci

  • Mary and Carl Strohmaier

  • Jeff and Gail Yabuki

  • Daniel and Linda Bader

  • CCS Fundraising

  • Foley & Lardner LLP and Wayne and Kristine Lueders

  • Thomas Hesselbrock and Carl Spatz

  • J. Jeffers & Co.

  • Kahler Slater

  • Tom and Cynthia LaConte

  • Tom and Jane Lacy

  • Elizabeth Levins and Herbert Zien

  • Tony and Beverly Petullo

  • Jim and Andrea Schloemer

  • Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers

  • John Shannon & Jan Serr, GUARDIAN Fine Art Services

  • Amalia Todryk and Quarles & Brady LLP

  • Mike and Nichole Unger, JM Brennan

  • U.S. Bank

  • Kent and Marcia Velde

  • Paul E. Barkhaus, MD

  • Geralyn Cannon

  • Amy and Frederick Croen

  • Drs. Agnes and Daniel Domagala, Major Dental Clinics

  • Laura and John Emory, Jr.

  • Ellen and Richard Glaisner

  • Dr. Shaheda Govani and Neil DeKarske

  • Alison Graf and Richard Schreiner

  • Brian and Victoria Hagan

  • Matthew Helmerich and Jeffrey Harwell

  • Gail Hesselbrock

  • Mike Jones and Peggy Mead

  • Grant and Carrie Killoran

  • John and Debra Kissinger

  • Debbi LoCicero, AIA

  • Carrie Gillstrom Matteson

  • Anne and Chris Noyes

  • Kristin and John Sheehan

  • Pamela and Jeffrey Shovers

  • Christopher and Joana Smocke

  • Sally and Steve Stevens

  • Mike and Nichole Unger, JM Brennan

  • Adam and Katie Westermayer

  • Faye Wetzel

  • Donald and Kate Wilson

  • Kathy Saito Yuille

  • Anonymous (2)

  • As of June 15, 2026