Milwaukee Business Journal: Despite pandemic, execs play golf to raise money for Milwaukee arts group

Several hundred Milwaukee-area business executives hit the golf course Monday to participate in the "Dancing on the Green" event to raise money for the United Performing Arts Fund. Check out the attached slideshow to see photos from the event.

The fundraiser was held at North Shore Country Club in Mequon and closed out UPAF's 2020 fundraising efforts.

UPAF announced in April that its 2020 campaign that kicked off on March 3 before widespread business shutdowns due to Covid-19 was extended to Aug. 31. The additional two months provided the time required to raise dollars to sustain UPAF member groups, the organization said. 

As in recent years, UPAF set no specific monetary goal for the campaign outside of hopes to grow upon the prior year's effort. In 2019, UPAF raised $11,881,893, with $8,820,000 allocated to performing arts groups in 2019. All of the UPAF groups have been shut down in recent months for in-person performances. Most have gone to virtual events, but still are struggling during the ongoing pandemic.

Milwaukee-area business executives at the golf event included Matt Rinka of Rinka, Peggy Williams-Smith of Visit Milwaukee, Tami Garrison of Molson Coors, Emily Phillips of Baird, Michelle Banks of Associated Bank, Sean Stokstad of Fiserv and Jim Barry of The Barry Co. Inc.

The UPAF member groups are the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, the Milwaukee Ballet, the Florentine Opera, First Stage Children’s Theater, Skylight Music Theatre, Bel Canto Chorus, Danceworks Performance Co., the Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, the Milwaukee Children’s Choir, the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra, Next Act Theatre, Present Music and Renaissance Theaterworks.

Original article and photo slideshow can be viewed HERE.