The Performing Arts Matter

The Performing Arts Matter www.upaf.org

WHY DO THE PERFORMING ARTS MATTER? The performing arts do so much more than entertain us. The arts enrich our souls and make our region a more creative place. They put millions of dollars into our local economy and provide an environment for businesses to recruit and retain talent. Our performing arts groups also impact the lives of thousands of children through vital arts education programs, which have seen dramatic cuts from our schools. IT S SIMPLE. THE PERFORMING ARTS MAKE THE GREATER MILWAUKEE AREA A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY. UPAF MATTERS! The United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF) was established in 1967 to help sustain the performing arts groups that call Greater Milwaukee home. UPAF s three-part mission is to raise funds for 14 of Southeastern Wisconsin s most prominent arts groups, to help promote them in our communities, and to be transparent and accountable with the dollars that our donors so generously give. As the largest united performing arts fund in the country, UPAF has raised over $300 million since its inception for these performing arts treasures. It s because of individual donors, companies and foundations that our region s arts culture continues to thrive.

THE FOLLOWING GROUPS RECEIVE ANNUAL FUNDING FROM UPAF: UPAF CORNERSTONE GROUPS UPAF MEMBER GROUPS UPAF AFFILIATES Black Arts MKE Darby s Dancers Festival City Symphony Frankly Music In Tandem Kettle Moraine Symphony Latino Arts Milwaukee Opera Theatre Racine Symphony Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts Theatre Gigante Wild Space Windfall Theatre Wisconsin Philharmonic UPAF is indispensable, and its importance cannot be overstated. The performing arts scene in Milwaukee wouldn t exist as it does today without UPAF. It s a fundamental source of a lot of groups existence. UPAF allows people to donate and support the community in a broader sense. You can t have this level of quality of activity in the arts without UPAF. Frank Almond Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster and Artistic Director of Frankly Music

BEING A UPAF DONOR MATTERS. Your donation makes a strong impact on our region s culture and creativity. In addition, as a donor to UPAF, you receive many benefits. SMART CARD As a UPAF donor of $100 or more, you ll receive the UPAF SMART CARD, sponsored by Associated Bank, allowing you buy one, get one FREE tickets to one performance for each of the 14 UPAF Member Groups, plus discounts at area businesses and restaurants (a $650+ value).

INDIVIDUAL DONOR BENEFITS All benefit levels are cumulative, with the exception of designation benefits. CREW $52+ Special buy one, get one FREE and reduced ticket price offers from UPAF Affiliates (Up to $175 value) CORPS $100+ UPAF SMART CARD CAST $300+ Receive an additional buy one, get one FREE ticket to UPAF Member Group performances (An additional $650+ value) PERFORMER $500+ Invitation to attend UPAF Member Group open rehearsals DIRECTOR $1,000+ Two free registrations for the UPAF Ride for the Arts, sponsored by Miller Lite, for donations made by the first week in May ($100 value) PRODUCER $2,000+ GOLDEN CIRCLE $3,000+ Tickets to a holiday performance of The Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol, or other productions to be announced (up to a $125 value) Invitation to the exclusive Golden Circle Party, sponsored by BMO Harris Bank Parking in the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts structure for Member Group performances CONCERTMASTER $5,000+ Ability to designate $500 to one UPAF Member Group MAESTRO $7,500+ Ability to designate $1,500 to one UPAF Member Group ARTIST SOCIETY $10,000+ CAPSTONE SOCIETY $20,000+ Invitation to the annual Artist Society Reception, sponsored by U.S. Bank Private Wealth Management Ability to designate $3,000 to one UPAF Member Group Ability to designate $6,000* to a maximum of three UPAF Member Groups * For every $10,000 donated, you may designate up to $3,000 to a single Member Group, up to $15,000.

Next Generation UPAF is an emerging leader s Affinty Program devoted to making our area an even better place to live through support of UPAF and the performing arts. The program is generously sponsored by the We Energies Foundation. Membership is open to donors age 45 and under who contribute $500 or more each year Members recieve access to purchase the SEASON SAMPLER, an affordable assortment of Member Group performances Donors who contribute $1,000 or more become part of the UPAF Executive Leadership Series This includes four exclusive, small-group events each year hosted by our area s most prominent business leaders For new donors of $500 and Next Generation UPAF members who increase their gifts by $50, $100 of your gift can be directed to UPAF Connect, which makes the performing arts more accessible to Milwaukee area nonprofits. www.upaf.org/nextgen With UPAF Connect, the performing arts have the power to enlighten, engage and bring diverse people together. UPAF works with local nonprofits to connect world-class performing arts experiences with those who may not otherwise have access to these cultural assets. UPAF strongly believes that everyone in the community should have the chance to embrace the magic of music, dance and theater. www.upaf.org/upafconnect

UPAF Notable Women is an Affinity Program devoted to ensuring that our youth have access to high quality arts education. The program is generously sponsored by BMO Harris Bank which will match any new UPAF Notable Women gift (up to $30,000). Membership is open to women who make a new or increased gift of $1,000 Men may also show their support by contributing in honor of a notable woman in their lives Dollars raised are annually awarded to Member Groups through the UPAF Bright Minds Arts Education Program The groups funded are then part of a comprehensive study to measure the influence of arts education on students teamwork, leadership, problem solving, problem identification and resourcefulness. www.upaf.org/notablewomen The best thing about First Stage is that I can be myself and the staff and classmates encourage me to do anything. Kenyon, 15

STAY IN TOUCH Sign up for email alerts and performing arts news at: www.upaf.org United Performing Arts Fund 301 W. Wisconsin Ave., Suite 600 Milwaukee, WI 53203 414-273-UPAF (8723) UPAF proudly bears Charity Navigator s highest distinction for nonprofits a four-star rating. Photo of Frank Almond courtesy of Jennifer Brindley. Susan Gartell of Milwaukee Ballet Photo by Rachel Malehorn and Timothy O Donnell; Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra Photo by Ron Oshima Design services generously donated by EPIC Creative. 2018 United Performing Arts Fund, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. All rights reserved.