The Big Event 2024

SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, June 1st, 2024 • 5:30pm

Save the date to join us for cocktails dinner on the stage, live entertainment, fundraising and dancing until midnight.

Table and event sponsorship opportunities are open now! Click here for more information, or contact Ben Brzeski at 262-439-5684 or bbrzeski@wilson-center.com

Invitations for the 2024 Big Event will go out mid-March, and online registration will open at that time.

ABOUT THE BIG EVENT

The Big Event is an all-inclusive evening featuring  entertainment, art experiences, cocktails, dinner on the stage, a voice auction, award presentation, and a wrap party with music, dancing and more. Proceeds from The Big Event support the mission of the Wilson Center to be the catalyst for lifelong discovery and exploration of the arts.


Andrea and Tony Bryant

Judy and Gary Jorgensen

19th Annual EDDY Award Honorees

Andrea and tony bryant & judy and gary jorgensen

THE EDDY AWARD – The Wilson Center EDDY Award, endowed by Murph and John Burke, is presented annually by the Wilson Center Bridge Committee to an arts organization, corporation, or individual(s) whose commitment to regional collaboration has created a higher standard of excellence in arts and education. The 19th annual EDDY award will be presented to Andrea and Tony Bryant, and Judy and Gary Jorgensen in recognition of their generous contributions to the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts.

With us from the beginning, the Jorgensens and the Bryants have both played an integral role in nourishing the roots of the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center. They are philanthropic leaders, building community and exemplifying generosity, with a special attention to providing community access to the arts. Download the press release here.


9th Annual Educational Excellence Award

Milwaukee rep.

THE EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARD – The Educational Excellence Award recognizes organizational achievement of a non-profit that exemplifies collaboration in the arts. For its mission to transform lives and connect communities through inspiring performances. Community engagement, education, and training. The Wilson Center Bridge Committee has selected The Milwaukee Rep. as the 9th annual recipients of this award in recognition of the Rep’s significant contribution to theater arts education opportunities throughout Greater Milwaukee. Download the press release here.


Scenes from the 2023 Big Event

2023 Big Event - Recap

Saturday, June 3, 2023 – A fabulous night for arts education! Whether you joined us in person, as a sponsor, or simply sent along a gift in support of the cause, you were a part of something quite special Saturday night and we want to say Thank You! A special congratulations again to our honorees, Educational Excellence Award recipients, Latino Arts, and EDDY Award Honorees Keith Mardak and Mary Vandenberg. View our latest video premiered Saturday evening at The Big Event.

Click here to view the Business Journal’s Slideshow from Saturday evening! 

Photo credit: Amenson Design & Photography

About the Bridge Committee and Awards

the Wilson Center Bridge Committee

The Bridge Committee, comprised of regional arts and community leaders, is committed to supporting the Wilson Center’s efforts to strengthen the impact of regional collaboration for the long-term viability of the arts in Southeastern Wisconsin. The history of the Bridge Committee was envisioned by Kate Wilson. “Kate Wilson’s original vision for the Bridge Committee was to bring supporters of the arts together from Waukesha County and Milwaukee County - to form a ‘bridge’ so to speak.  Her boundless energy has helped the committee grow into a thriving group of community leaders, volunteers and friends,” said Andy Nunemaker, co-chair of the Bridge Committee. Andy goes on to say, “We all share in a passion for the arts and for our region. It’s such a pleasure to get together with these like-minded friends to showcase leadership in the arts, philanthropy and education!

EDDY Award

Endowed by Wilson Center supporters Kathryn Murphy Burke and John Burke, the EDDY is presented annually at the Big Event by the Wilson Center’s Bridge Committee to an arts organization, corporation, or individual(s) whose philanthropic commitment to regional collaboration has created a higher standard of excellence in arts and arts education.

Education Excellence Award

The 2024 Big Event will mark the ninth year of the Educational Excellence Award, which recognizes organizational achievement of a nonprofit that exemplifies collaboration in the arts. Past recipients of the Educational Excellence Award have included Latino Arts Inc. (2023), Florentine Opera Company (2015), First Stage (2016), Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra (2017), Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Arts in Community Education/ACE (2018), and Milwaukee Ballet and Artistic Director Michael Pink (2019), and Next Act Theater and Producing Artistic Director David Cecsarini.


Past Honorees

Past Educational Excellence Award Recipients

2015: Florentine Opera Company

2016: First Stage

2017: Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra

2018: Milwaukee Symphony Arts in Community Education

2019: Michael Pink and Milwaukee Ballet

2020/21: Milwaukee Film

2022: Next Act Theater & Producing Artistic Director David Cecsarini on behalf of Next Act Theater’s Artist Educators

2023: Latino Arts, Inc.

Past EDDY Award Recipients

2005: Milwaukee Youth Arts Center

2006: Christine Harris and the National AFTA Convention

2007: Danceworks, Inc./MadHot Ballroom and Tap

2008: Marlene Doerr and SHARP Literacy

2009: Skylight Opera Theatre

2010: Marcus Corporation

2011: Creativity Works!

2012: Latino Arts Strings & Mariachi Juvenil

2013: Carlene Ziegler

2014: Marianne and Sheldon Lubar

2015: Jodi Peck

2016: Donna and Donald Baumgartner

2017: Claire and Glenn Hackmann

2018: Bud and Sue Selig

2019: Kate and Don Wilson

2020/21: Baird and Mary Ellen & Scott Stanek

2022: Kathryn Murphy Burke

2023: Keith Mardak and Mary Vendenberg