UPAF News

The United Performing Arts Fund adjusted its UPAF Affiliate Grant Program to become a fully unrestricted grant initiative from its previous project-based grants.

The United Performing Arts Fund’s signature annual fundraiser, UPAF Ride for the Arts, will be held virtually on June 14.The fund announced this week it will move its 40th anniversary Ride for the Arts to a virtual “event for all” due to the uncertainty related to the safety of mass gatherings. Ordinarily, the event draws thousands of cyclists to downtown Milwaukee.

As a creative alternative to complications imposed by the coronavirus pandemic, the United Performing Arts Fund is turning this year's Ride for the Arts, sponsored by Miller Lite, into a virtual event June 14. UPAF's “An Event for All” will allow participants to ride, walk or run anywhere with anyone from any starting point.

The Milwaukee theater scene is estimated to lose millions of dollars this season due to coronavirus cancellations. With more than 500 performances canceled, groups are turning to Facebook to try and keep theater alive.

In normal times, Milwaukee arts organizations create powerful shared public experiences through detailed planning. In mid-March, they ripped everything up in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and Gov. Tony Evers' safer-at-home orders. Like other businesses and organizations, they've suffered profound economic disruption. Milwaukee’s United Performing Arts Fund reported recently that its 14 member groups are projecting a collective $8.3 million loss in revenue this season because of the pandemic.

During these uncertain times, one thing is certain: we all need some entertainment. But with theaters and venues closed, seeing our favorite performers live is not possible for the time being. The artists themselves are also finding this hard, especially when it is their livelihood that is affected.

The 14 Milwaukee-area arts organizations supported by the United Performing Arts Fund are projecting a collective $8.3 million loss in revenue this season due to canceled performances and events. Among those groups, a total of 509 performances have been canceled, and 500 employees have been furloughed, laid off or experienced salary cuts as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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.

Artists are working to find new and different ways to support themselves during the difficult times brought on by COVID-19.