Last fall, 13 museums from across the state came together to launch an art museum-based collective to help raise the profile of Wisconsin as a destination for the visual arts. The mission of Wisconsin Art Destinations is to invite visitors and neighbors of all backgrounds, inclinations, and levels of interest in art to explore and experience the state’s art museums and surrounding areas. Though much of the planning took place last year, this collaboration has been several years in the making. It has been a thrill to see it come to life in the past few months.
In February, members of each museum are invited to attend a meeting held at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center. While the meeting’s purpose is to discuss each organization’s efforts in promoting Wisconsin Art Destinations, I am most excited to meet colleagues from other Wisconsin museums.
Since I started working at the Woodson last summer, most of my communication with fellow Wisconsin Art Destinations members has been virtual, and with the implementation of the collective in September, we have all been busy doing our part to make it successful. I am eager for the opportunity to talk with other museum marketing and communication professionals not only about how to advance this campaign, but also about the industry in general. This meeting will be my first chance to network with other people who work at art museums!
Making connections and communicating with others has always been a strength and passion of mine. I will always jump at any opportunity to step away from my desk and have meaningful conversations with people, and the upcoming meeting is no exception.
Wisconsin Art Destinations is comprised of the following art museums: Bergstrom Mahler Museum of Glass in Neenah; Chazen Museum of Art in Madison; Haggerty Museum of Art in Milwaukee; John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan; Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in Wausau; Madison Museum of Contemporary Art in Madison; Miller Art Museum in Sturgeon Bay; Milwaukee Art Museum in Milwaukee; Museum of Wisconsin Art in West Bend; Paine Art Center and Gardens in Oshkosh; Racine Art Museum in Racine; Rahr-West Art Museum in Manitowoc; and the Trout Museum of Art in Appleton.
More details regarding Wisconsin Art Destinations and member art museums can be found at www.wisconsinartdestinations.com.
