Advancing Milwaukee’s Creative Industries: Partnerships, Policy, and Growth
On October 5, 2026, UEDA joined partners Imagine MKE, Create Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) for Advancing Milwaukee’s Creative Industries: Partnerships, Policy, and Growth, a regional convening focused on strengthening Southeast Wisconsin’s creative economy.
Held at the Associated Bank River Center in Milwaukee, the event brought together 27 leaders from the creative industries and economic development sectors to explore opportunities for collaboration, entrepreneurship, small business growth, and workforce development.
Milwaukee’s creative industries play an important role in our region’s economic vitality. Through strategic partnerships and regional collaboration, this convening explored how to strengthen and expand the sector while connecting local efforts to broader statewide initiatives.
Building Connections for Statewide Impact
The event was part of the Wisconsin Creative Industries Community of Practice (CICoP), an emerging statewide network led by WEDC’s Office of Rural Prosperity in collaboration with Create Wisconsin.
CICoP brings together creative professionals, business leaders, and economic development partners to foster innovation, strengthen regional networks, share resources, and support economic growth across Wisconsin.
The Southeast Wisconsin convening focused on building connections across sectors, highlighting initiatives such as Action! Wisconsin and Imagine MKE’s Action Plan, and exploring how regional perspectives can help inform a Statewide Creative Industries Plan.
Discussions also centered on increasing awareness of the creative industries sector and identifying opportunities to better support creative businesses and entrepreneurs.
Continuing the Conversation
UEDA’s involvement in this work builds on our 2024 Emerging Topics Series, which explored the creative industries sector and its role in economic development.
Through continued collaboration with our partners, we look forward to supporting opportunities that connect creative professionals, strengthen local businesses, and recognize the creative economy as an important part of Wisconsin’s economic future.
Read more about the creative industries sector from UEDA’s 2024 Emerging Topics Series. To learn more about the statewide initiative, view the WEDC Creative Industries Community of Practice Fact Sheet.
Special thanks to our event sponsors, Associated Bank and WEDC, for supporting this important conversation.
