About us
Who we are
Founded in 2001, Arts @ Large (A@L) works alongside Milwaukee communities to create environments where arts-rich, lifelong learning can thrive. Our mission is to ensure that everyone—regardless of age, race, or socioeconomic background—has access to meaningful arts experiences that inspire creativity, collaboration, and personal growth.
Through partnerships with local artists, schools, and community organizations, we provide inclusive arts education programs that engage youth and residents across the city. All of our programs are free for participants and led by professionally paid working artists, supporting both creative learning and Milwaukee's vibrant arts community.
Young people explore visual, performing, and multimedia arts through hands-on opportunities such as our Career Development Program, which offers paid internships for teens; A.I.R. Academy weekend workshops for youth that culminate in a public showcase; and our six-week Summer Camp for students in grades three to eight. We also bring innovative arts residencies into schools with limited or no arts instruction and welcome students and community members to our Walker's Point Community Center for workshops, field trips, and exhibitions.
By investing in artists and expanding access to the arts, Arts @ Large empowers youth, strengthens communities, and helps Milwaukee's creativity flourish.
Mission
Our mission
The mission of Arts @ Large (A@L) is to activate Milwaukee's communities to build environments that support arts-rich, lifelong learning.
Vision
Our vision
Our vision is that all Milwaukee residents can access the arts regardless of age, race, or socioeconomic status.
Strategic plan
Our strategic plan
Read the roadmap guiding our work and priorities in the years ahead.
Values
Four cornerstones
Our work at Arts @ Large is grounded in four core cornerstones that guide everything we do. These cornerstones are central to our mission and inform how we engage with people of all ages through creative learning and artistic practice. We ask all Artist Educators and Artists in Residence who work with us to intentionally incorporate these principles into their work, ensuring a consistent, values-driven approach across all of our programs and learning environments.
Peacemaking
Arts @ Large uses the arts to cultivate social-emotional learning, empowering individuals to build empathy, navigate emotions, foster positive relationships, and make responsible choices. We believe in the transformative power of the arts to promote dialogue, understanding, and peacemaking in our community and beyond.
Civil Rights
Arts @ Large empowers participants to see themselves as integral to their community and active agents in shaping a more just Milwaukee, drawing inspiration from the city's civil rights history to build a better future together. We advocate for equity and justice through creative expression.
Eco-Literacy
Arts @ Large fosters eco-literacy by engaging participants in creative community development that promotes environmental stewardship and a deeper connection to place. We model sustainable practices across our programs, operations, and spaces.
Technology & Innovation
Arts @ Large harnesses the power of technology to deepen empathy, expand understanding of our complex world, and empower individuals and communities to create meaningful change. We increase access by supporting artists with resources, mentorship, and opportunities for growth.