The Green Room

We are thrilled to report that two departments within the Wisconsin Union have received grants to support upcoming programming that enriches Madison’s larger community. The Evjue Foundation has awarded a grant to the Wisconsin Union Theater (WUT)  to present the Black Arts Matter Festival, which will take place Nov. 8–12. Another grant from the Evjue Foundation will help support free art-making programs put on each summer by Wheelhouse Studios.

“We are grateful for the resources [the grant] provides to help advance the Wisconsin Union Theater’s mission of social impact through artistic programming,” Wisconsin Union Theater (WUT) Director Elizabeth Snodgrass said.

Produced in collaboration with UW–Madison alum, top-ranked slam poet, and festival founder Shasparay, the WUT’s Black Arts Matter (BAM) Festival is a multifaceted arts celebration that emphasizes the importance of building community and Black urban and contemporary arts. In support of BAM’s mission, funds from the Evjue Foundation will help WUT bring in visiting artists to this year’s four-day celebration. 

Organized by a student-led Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) Performing Arts Committee and theater staff, WUT is committed to furthering social justice through the arts, and offers year-round events that showcase a wide range of genres and art forms. 

As Snodgrass says, “Mirroring the values and intentions set forth by the foundation's founder, William T. Evjue, we believe that offering performing arts programs that represent the many identities woven throughout our campus is critical to the Wisconsin Idea.”

An Evjue Foundation grant will also help support Wheelhouse Studios’ weekly Terrace Art Zone series, and a group paint event, called Paintacular. Held each summer on the Memorial Union Terrace, more than 3,000 people are estimated to participate in these free, art-making programs. Funds from the Evjue Foundation will help purchase supplies and provide compensation to the onsite teaching artists.  

“We are grateful to the Evjue Foundation for helping us nurture the relationship between UW–Madison and the greater Madison community,” said Wheelhouse Studio Director and Wisconsin Union Community Engagement Director Amy Guthier. “Here, everybody is welcome; everybody belongs.”

Wheelhouse Studios, located on the lower level of Memorial Union, is an open art studio that offers drop-in workspaces, low-cost classes, free events, and group events. More information about the Wheelhouse Studios offerings and events can be found on its website.

For more information on all that the Wisconsin Union offers, visit union.wisc.edu.