Greater Milwaukee Foundation: Experience cultural trio in three counties for May Gift to the Community

Access to MOWA, Ten Chimneys and Cedarburg Art Museum offered by Greater Milwaukee Foundation

Milwaukee – The Greater Milwaukee Foundation encourages a cultural tour of the region with two days of free access to notable institutions in Waukesha, Ozaukee and Washington counties. The Foundation’s May Gift to the Community features unique opportunities to visit Cedarburg Art Museum, Museum of Wisconsin Art (MOWA) in West Bend and Ten Chimneys in Genesee Depot on Friday, May 29, and Saturday, May 30.

“The arts community in our region is as impressive and inspiring as you’ll find anywhere,” said Ellen M. Gilligan, President and CEO of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation. “I hope people use this gift to explore something exciting in their own back yard and perhaps discover something new just around the corner.”

Throughout 2015, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation is offering Gifts to the Community that celebrate the Foundation’s centennial while providing special opportunities that connect people with meaningful resources in the region.

Cedarburg Art Museum, W63 N675 Washington Ave., Cedarburg, will be open free to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with special programming each day. On May 29, the museum will “Roll Out the Red Carpet for Senior Citizens” and May 30 will feature “Passport to Creativity,” with unique family-themed activities. All guests are welcome either day.

“Art is an essential component for an enriched quality of life,” said Chris Christon, Cedarburg Art Museum Executive Director. “Cedarburg Art Museum strives to enhance cultural awareness by increasing understanding and interest in the arts through our exhibitions, art education, workshops, and other creative ventures. Cedarburg Art Museum is more than a museum; we are a community of artists, volunteers, students, parents, teachers, senior adults, and art enthusiasts. We are grateful for the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s Gifts to the Community. This support gives Cedarburg Art Museum the opportunity to showcase our museum by enabling us to reach a broader audience and share what makes Cedarburg Art Museum unique.”

MOWA, 205 Veterans Ave., West Bend, will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Visitors will receive free admission plus a full year of membership benefits. The museum showcases the work of Wisconsin artists and will feature special exhibitions as well as hands-on art activities. All visitors also will receive 10 percent off in the MOWA Shop on both days.

“MOWA is delighted to have been selected to represent Washington County in the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s May Gift to the Community,” said Laurie Winters, MOWA Executive Director | CEO. “GMF’s support means that MOWA can introduce even more people to the great art produced right here in the state of Wisconsin. Anyone who visits MOWA on May 29 or 30 will enjoy free admission for those two days. They will also get a complimentary membership that is valid for an entire year.”

Ten Chimneys, the estate created by theatre legends Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, will offer free tours both days. Designated a National Historic Landmark, this world-class house museum and national resource for theatre, arts and arts education is located at S43 W31575 Depot Road, Genesee Depot. To book a tour for May 29 or 30, guests should call (262) 968-4110, beginning today. Tours will operate between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Advance reservations are highly recommended as space is limited for this opportunity. Guests must be at least 12 years of age to tour.

“I’m excited by this wonderful gift from the Greater Milwaukee Foundation that invites guests to see first-hand why Ten Chimneys has earned its reputation as one of the most inspirational historic sites in the country,” said Randy Bryant, President & CEO of Ten Chimneys Foundation. “Ten Chimneys is a haven like no other. Often considered ‘the center of the theatrical world,’ actors today continue to make a pilgrimage to Ten Chimneys, just as the Lunts’ famous friends once did. This opportunity will allow Ten Chimneys Foundation to share not only the estate created by the legendary duo, Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, but to further engage our community in our theatre, agriculture, and high school programming, and for this, we are truly thankful.”

The Greater Milwaukee Foundation and its donors have been strong supporters of these organizations, contributing a total of more than $4.3 million in grant funding over the years, further signifying their value to the community.

Find additional details about the Greater Milwaukee Foundation and the May Gift to the Community at greatermilwaukeefoundation.org/gifts.

So far in 2015, more than 194,000 people have taken advantage of the special opportunities presented by the Foundation in honor of its 100th year of service. New Gifts to the Community are being revealed each month on FOX 6 Milwaukee.

About the Greater Milwaukee Foundation

For a century, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation has helped individuals, families and organizations realize their philanthropic goals and make a difference in the community, during their lifetimes and for future generations. The Foundation consists of more than 1,200 individual charitable funds, each created by donors to serve the charitable causes of their choice. The Foundation also deploys both human and financial resources to address the most critical needs of the community and ensure the vitality of the region. Established in 1915, the Foundation was one of the first community foundations in the world. With total assets of more than $847 million, it is also among the largest.