Double Down For Artists

Matching Gift Challenge

The performing arts have been hit hard by the global COVID-19 pandemic including your Milwaukee Rep, causing the cancellation of more than 120 performances for a total loss of $1.5 million so far.

The impact on artists and audiences from cancelled performances is significant. Actors no longer have employment and our audiences can only be safely reached through online content. To address both issues, we launched “Milwaukee Rep: From Our Home to Your Home,” which employs artists to create direct to home programming including high-definition recorded performances,  free seminars and workshops by Rep artisans, educational kits for children, Wellness Wednesdays focusing on health, and commissioned world-premiere monologues.

To support Milwaukee Rep and our artists during this critical time, Donald & Donna Baumgartner and the Elizabeth Quadracci Harned Family teamed up for the Double-Down for Artists Challenge! The Baumgartner and Quadracci Harned families matched dollar for dollar every new or increased gift up to $50,000 providing support to Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s terrific and talented artists that have been severely impacted by COVID-19. The proceeds of the fund will be used to produce digital and online artistic projects while our theaters are closed to provide exciting content to our patrons and meaningful work to our artists.

"We feel strongly about supporting our artists and arts institutions who have given much to this community through their performances and arts education. Milwaukee Rep's aim to entertain, enrich and comfort us makes us better people. We are particularly happy to join forces with the Elizabeth Quadracci Harney family which has a deep tradition of supporting all the arts in Milwaukee."  – Donna & Donald Baumgartner

“When I think of giving I try and think what my parents would do since they started The Windhover Foundation.  Milwaukee Rep has been near and dear to my parents’ hearts and ours. So I wanted to make sure the people who make The Rep so successful were being taken care of. As my father always said “We can do more together then individuals apart,” stated Elizabeth Quadracci Harned. “Milwaukee is America’s best kept secret so we need to keep the culture strong.”