Welcome to the United Performing Arts Fund

2012 Campaign

What is UPAF?

• United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF) is a nonprofit, umbrella organization that supports 36 performing arts groups in Southeastern Wisconsin through its annual fundraising and awareness campaign.

• UPAF raises funds through a community-wide based approach, receiving contributions from over 20,000 donors and over 350 corporations in 2011.

• UPAF has provided over $234 million in unrestricted operating support to the performing arts over its 45 year history.

UPAF’s Mission & Vision

United Performing Arts Fund’s mission is to secure community resources, promote the performing arts as a regional asset and

improve the quality of life through responsible investment in and financial support of the performing arts in southeastern

Wisconsin.

Our vision is to shape a diverse, vibrant and sustainable cultural life for all. 

UPAF Member Groups

UPAF Affiliate GroupsBoulevard Ensemble Studio Theatre

DanceCircusEnsemble Musical Offering

Festival City SymphonyFrankly Music

In Tandem TheatreKenosha Symphony Association

Ko-Thi Dance CompanyLatino Arts

Milwaukee Chamber OrchestraMilwaukee Choral ArtistsMilwaukee Opera Theatre

North Shore Academy of the ArtsPianoArts of Wisconsin

Racine Symphony OrchestraString Academy of Wisconsin

Sunset PlayhouseTheatre Gigante

Wild Space Dance CompanyWindfall Theatre

Wisconsin Philharmonic  

Life’s better with the arts.The performing arts improve our quality of life.

Not only do they engage and entertain us, the arts educate our children and drive our local economy.

Art entertains.UPAF Member Groups provide over 2,000 local performances of live theater, music, dance, and opera to our region each year.

These performances

• Open our minds to new perspectives • Connect us to other people

• Move, motivate and amuse us

Art drives our local economy.

Our thriving art scene…

• attracts imaginative and innovative people• creates a sense of identity for our city and neighborhoods

Residents spend time and money where arts are present.

Restaurants, bars and businesses spring up around arts venues.

Art drives our local economy.

The performing arts are indispensable to the vitality of our region.

A healthy, strong arts community:

• Drives economic behavior – arts attendance and its related spending generate more than $236 million in local economic activity in Milwaukee County alone.

• Supports the business community in recruiting and retaining talent.

• Accounts for hundreds of jobs – not just for performers, but also for those behind the scenes.

• Plays a significant role in attracting tourism dollars to the area.

• Makes our region a world-class destination for both residents and tourists.

Art educates.UPAF Member Groups change people’s lives through education.

• UPAF Member Groups serve over 400,000 school children each year, augmenting arts education programs that have decreased or are no longer available in schools.

• Arts experiences enable children to learn to think creatively, explore their full potential and become strong citizens.

• Arts education has a measurable impact on children, improving academic performance, creative and critical thinking skills as well as discipline and focus.

Art is for everyone.

UPAF Members and Affiliates serve the community by making the arts accessible to all through:

• Free performances in public places such as parks, recreational centers, and schools

• Pay-What-You-Can Nights at the theater

• Targeted senior programming that enhances quality of life

UPAF Provides Stability

• Through the generous contributions of thousands of donors year after year, UPAF is able to provide operating support to its Members.

• The stability of UPAF funding allows Member Groups to focus on creating excellent and diverse artistic products and high-quality community education and outreach programs.

UPAF is Accountable

• UPAF provides accountability to its donors through transparency in its funding.

• Contributors to UPAF can be assured their contributions will be stewarded with care and distributed to organizations that are delivering back to our community.

• UPAF holds its Member Groups accountable for responsible management of funds and healthy fiscal policies.

UPAF Support is Essential to a Broad Base of Arts Groups

Have a wide variety of arts organizations:

• Ensures diversity in arts experiences to reach a broad audience. Simply put, there is something for everyone.

• Is essential in creating enough work to sustain artists and keep world-class artistic talent in our region.

• Augments the collective positive economic impact of the arts in our region.

In addition to funding the largest performing arts organizations in the region, UPAF also provides grant funding to smaller “up & coming” organizations.

UPAF’s Ride for the ArtsSponsored by Miller Lite

• UPAF’s signature fundraising event

• Occurs annually the first Sunday in June (this year June 3, 2012)

• Offers five routes (5, 12, 25, 50 and 75 mile routes) for riders of all ages and abilities

• This year, the 25, 50, and 75 mile routes will cross the Hoan Bridge

• Concludes with a celebration at the Summerfest grounds featuring ongoing performances by UPAF Member Groups

What Can You Do?• Support UPAF through a donation and participating in your Employee Giving campaign

• Participate in, volunteer for, and secure pledges for UPAF’s Ride for the Arts sponsored by Miller Lite

This is YOUR UPAF!• UPAF is here to serve our community.

• Employee giving is critical to the success of the annual campaign.

• In 2011, 71% of all donors to UPAF came through employee giving campaigns.

• We are grateful for your support and request a personal gift to the 2012 Campaign.

• Your gift makes a difference!

• With your support, along with your co-workers, colleagues, neighbors and friends, the performing arts will continue to provide education, entertainment, engagement and economic vitality to our region for generations to come.

Q&A:Q&A:

Any Questions?Any Questions?

THANK YOU!