UPAF News

For obvious reasons, 2020 was not the best year for the performing arts in Milwaukee. Beyond the risk of COVID-19 infections for audience members, staff and performers, such gatherings go against instructions from Gov. Tony Evers. By August, 33.9% of Wisconsinites working in the arts, entertainment and recreation had filed for unemployment, according to data from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. This is a challenge; working to overcome it is the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF) that supports some of the biggest names in local entertainment through fundraising. At its helm is Patrick Rath, its new president named in October 2020.

Patrick Rath's commitment to the Milwaukee arts community started as a 10-year-old boy performing with the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra and grew to a variety of leadership positions with institutions including the Milwaukee Art Museum and Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.

irtual opportunities have actually increased access to arts education in Southeast Wisconsin. That certainly doesn’t have the same appeal as knowing local venues would soon be packed with families enjoying holiday shows, but it’s how arts groups are surviving the pandemic. That, and a reliable revenue stream from United Performing Arts Fund, which has a new President & CEO taking over at this critical time.

Wisconsin's arts and culture sector has been one of the hardest hit and will likely be one of the last to return to normal.

The United Performing Arts Fund has named Patrick Rath as its new president and CEO. Rath succeeds Deanna Tillisch, who stepped down Sept. 30 after leading the fundraising organization since 2011.

The United Performing Arts Fund announced Friday that Patrick Rath will succeed Deanna Tillisch as the next president and CEO of the nonprofit organization.

The United Performing Arts Fund has announced allocations totaling more than $8.4 million to its 14 member groups for their 2020-'21 seasons, a 2% decrease from the total allocated for 2019-'20.

The United Performing Arts Fund’s 2020 campaign raised about $11.7 million for Milwaukee-area arts groups, UPAF announced Monday. The total was down 1.9% compared to last year, but came in slightly above what leaders initially projected. The fund expected to see a 8.5% drop in this year’s campaign due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

After extending its campaign several months as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the United Performing Arts Fund said Monday that it raised more than $11.6 million for local arts organizations, nearly matching 2019's total.

The United Performing Arts Fund raised $11,662,693 during its 2020 campaign, it announced Monday during its campaign finale at the Marcus Majestic Cinema in Brookfield.