Letter from the Director

There’s nothing quite like summer in Milwaukee. The city comes alive with music, art, and the unmistakable energy of people gathering together by the lake. Here at the Museum, we welcome this season as an opportunity to connect—with each other, the city, and the ideas that shape our world.

The spirit of connection comes to life in Erin Shirreff: Permanent Drafts, opening May 30. In her most comprehensive exhibition in over a decade, Shirreff’s work invites us to slow down, look closer, and embrace complexity—melding photography, sculpture, and video in ways that challenge how we perceive time and form.

Meanwhile, our galleries continue to glow with The Brilliance of the Spanish World: El Greco, Velázquez, Zurbarán, on view through July 27. With more than 50 masterworks from the most significant collection of Hispanic art outside of Spain, this exhibition is a celebration of artistic brilliance across centuries—rooted in devotion, innovation, and a mastery of light.

You may have already noticed: the Museum feels alive with a new look. Our bold new initiative has brightened the campus and carries a clear, resonant message: Be here. It’s more than a simple statement—it’s an open invitation to join us for all that’s happening at MAM. Whether you’re checking out a favorite artwork, introducing someone new to the collection, attending a vibrant event, or simply strolling through the galleries, every visit is a chance to deeply engage with the Museum and everything it offers.

I hope this magazine will serve as your guide for new ways to explore the art, ideas, and experiences that make the Museum such a special place. As you turn the pages—and take in the galleries—I invite you to dive into all that summer at the Museum has to offer. Come often. Be curious. And above all, be here.

Warmly,