UPAF News

In January, UPAF announced its re-imagined Ride for the Arts Series, safe, socially-distant outdoor cycling events for that continue the four decades-plus tradition of the Ride for the Arts fundraiser. The series, in which cyclists of all ages and abilities can participate, will be held over three weekends in summer: June 6 at Veterans Park, June 13 at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts in Brookfield and June 27 at Coal Dock Park in Port Washington.

The United Performing Arts Fund announced Wednesday it has named three Milwaukee-area business leaders as co-chairs for the fund’s 2021 Community Campaign.

The United Performing Arts Fund named Heather Dunn, Steve Johnson and Greg Wesley as the three co-chairs for its 2021 UPAF Community Campaign.

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.