Milwaukee Business Journal :UPAF extends campaign as Milwaukee arts groups lose $8.3M in revenue so far

Like many businesses, Milwaukee-area performing arts groups are fighting to remain viable during the pandemic and a significant funding source — United Performing Arts Fund — is striving to run its annual campaign despite the economic downturn.

“Our groups are feeling pretty scared right now,” UPAF president and CEO Deanna Tillisch said Wednesday on a Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce online briefing. “They’ve got a short window of time to be able to last without having the earned revenue that they need to be able to sustain themselves.”

The 14 members of UPAF have canceled more than 500 performances impacting 200,000 patrons resulting in a combined $8.3 million revenue loss. The groups have cut costs through employee layoffs, furloughs and salary reduction, she said.

UPAF announced that its 2020 campaign that kicked off on March 3 before widespread business shutdowns will be extended to August 31. The additional two months will provide 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.

One challenge for the campaign is that three-quarters of contributions are made through workplace giving “and there’s nobody in the workplace,” Tillisch said.

Meanwhile, the performing arts groups aren’t sure when they will be able to start their new seasons in the fall, which could further trim their earned revenue, Tillisch said.

“I don’t mean to be the bearer of bad news but it’s a very sensitive time for the arts and culture sector,” she said.

UPAF compensates its member groups for performing, which is important at a time when arts organizations and their artists have limited to no income.

UPAF said it is providing funds to enhance the technology needed for member groups to deliver digital performances. The organization announced a new collaborative that aims to help lift the spirits of the community during this time of great uncertainty.

UPAF said it is offering free virtual performing arts experiences that showcase the local performing arts scene and “bring the community together virtually during this time at home.”

A “UNITE with UPAF Live!” virtual event will be held in May. The online event will showcase the performing arts’ impact on the greater Milwaukee area through performances and testimonials from UPAF member groups, arts advocates, business leaders and community members. More details will be released soon.

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

The original article can be viewed HERE.