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Milwaukee Public Museum reports steady spring programming and a modest operating surplus through March
Summary
Milwaukee Public Museum reported attendance slightly behind last year but an operating surplus through March 2025 and ongoing fundraising for the new facility; staff cited elevator outages in the current building as an operational challenge.
Milwaukee Public Museum leadership provided an informational update to the Parks and Culture Committee on operations and finances through March 31, 2025.
Key program and attendance notes
President Ellen Zenski said spring programming and outreach activities were well attended: spring break events drew about 18,000 visitors, Streets Alive participation included 1,500 visitors, and school-group visits were up from the previous year but have not returned to pre-pandemic levels. The museum piloted a new school program and hosted a members-only behind-the-scenes event.
Facilities and equipment
Zenski told the committee the museum experienced an extended outage of a passenger elevator in March because a required safety light-curtain replacement was obsolete and took three weeks to obtain. The outage reduced elevator capacity for staff and visitors during repairs.
Financial summary
Tom Eckler, chief financial officer, reported that for the seven months ended March 31 the museum showed an operating surplus of about $2.36 million compared with $1.48 million in the same period the prior year. Consolidated operating revenue increased to approximately $10.7 million, driven in part by net assets released from restrictions tied to endowment gifts. Operating expenditures were about $8.3 million, including capitalized purchases for collections storage equipment funded by donations. Nonoperating investment gains and a donor bequest to the endowment were also reported.
Capital project update
Zenski said work on the new museum building is progressing: floor slabs are poured, rooftop work is underway and large precast exterior panels will begin installation in July. She said fundraising and donor cultivation continue and expressed confidence the capital campaign is progressing.
The committee received the report as informational.
