Milwaukee Artist Resource Network is set to close its Arts + Culture Hub – including its cafe, marketplace and gallery – at the end of the day on Monday.
MARN opened the hub at 191 N. Broadway in the Third Ward in 2021. It included gallery spaces, a marketplace, and event spaces for local artists. It also became home to MARN’s educational programs, community events and exhibitions. MARN plans to maintain a presence in the Third Ward after the closure.
“We believe this neighborhood is essential to the city’s creative and cultural identity, and we’re proud to continue being part of it. Our new temporary location will be announced soon, as we carefully plan our next steps,” the organization said in a statement.
The new location won’t include the cafe, with the organization saying, “a significant portion of our resources has been tied up in managing the cafe and covering overhead, diverting us from what matters most – our artists and members.” MARN said it’ll re-center its work around “meaningful programming, member support, and long-term sustainability.”
As part of its renewed focus, MARN shared that it received an anonymous donation of an undisclosed amount from a “generous benefactor” that will allow the organization to support upcoming programming initiatives and hire a part-time director of operations to help lead its next phase.
Board chair and local artist Pamela Anderson will remain at the helm during the transition to lead general operations and rebuild MARN’s board of directors.
MARN also announced plans to relaunch its flagship MARNternship program later this year. The program, which launched in 2007, paired emerging artists with established mentors for guidance on artistic practice and career navigation.
“We invite Milwaukee’s business community to partner with us – through sponsorships and employee engagement – to help build a stronger creative ecosystem,” the organization said. “Together, we can champion the arts as essential to economic vitality, mental well-being and cultural vibrancy in our city.”
