As we hit our 20-year mark and prepare to close our doors, Upstream Arts is reflecting on the last two decades of incredible work. Today’s highlight: our work in Milwaukee, WI and Charlotte, NC
In addition to working with partners all over the Twin Cities metro, Upstream Arts has shared our vision nationwide, most notably with a long history of partnering in the greater Milwaukee area of Wisconsin.
In 2013, we brought our first residency to the Harry and Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center, working with their adult community of individuals with disabilities, known as Chaverim, and with the JCC STARS program for youth with disabilities. It was the beginning of a decade plus relationship, where we brought intensive residencies to Milwaukee several times a year, including two Art of Me performances and photography exhibitions, one in 2016 and one in February of 2020.
In 2015, we began developing a partnership with Milwaukee Public Schools, bringing residencies to Special Education classrooms across the Milwaukee area for the last decade. In addition to embedding our training in the classroom residencies, Upstream Arts engaged in Professional Development with Milwaukee educators, leading two cohorts through The Art of Instruction: Building Classroom Culture and Communities of Consent in 2023 and 2024.
We’re grateful to The Greater Milwaukee Foundation, The Anonymous Fund, Milwaukee Public Schools, The Harri Hoffmann Family Foundation, The Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors Youth Foundation, Anon Charitable Trust, and generous individual donors who supported over 100 programs and trainings in Milwaukee.
In 2018 and 2019, we cast our net of creativity even farther when Upstream Arts traveled to Charlotte, NC to carry out over 30, 1-hour + classes and trainings, working with 360 participants. We partnered with the Levine Jewish Community Center, sharing Art of Access trainings, Art of Social Skills residencies, and an Art of Me photo exhibit. Two participants from the Art of Me were featured as part of our ReFocus exhibit in 2021.
Bottom two images photo credit Jeff Cords.