Building Connections Through Art and Community

Milwaukee is a dynamically diverse city. From this diversity stems a cultural uniqueness to be celebrated but also a series of social and political issues that beg for closeness. From this need has arisen a project from members of the community- a collaboration of community organizations, businesses and government, working together to promote a new narrative~ one that strengthens and connects all its citizens to come together to the forefront of this city\u27s identity. The goal of our video project is to tell these stories in short documentary form~ and to inspire citizens to take positive and active roles in connecting and supporting their communities. Whether it be documenting Milwaukee artists collaboration with neighborhoods on the installation of permanent art sculptures, or a neighborhood banquet party and giveaway of scarves and gloves, we’re creating documentary shorts that reflect the people\u27s’ desire to bring closeness to their communities. We have had the privilege to work with contributors like Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Business Improvement Districts, and community members that have played integral parts in bringing the stories of Milwaukee’s citizens to life. The video we create will be shared on the Internet, shown to community and neighborhood groups in Milwaukee, and shared with other cities and foundations to promote the process of community inclusion and artistic collaboration that these projects have accomplished. As a research center of UW- Milwaukee\u27s Peck School of the Arts Department of Film, Video, Animation, and New Genres, doc|UWM has had the extraordinary opportunity to document this process, all while including community members in neighborhoods across Milwaukee. In communicating the vital story of Milwaukee\u27s neighborhoods coming together to bring art and fellowship, this documentary has the potential to not only impact the city as a whole, but to also reach out to other communities in need for more tight­knit neighborhoods