“At a point in history when independent artists, collectives, galleries, and small arts organizations are struggling to see their way through this thickly choking economic smog, all the while acutely aware that the endeavors of some of their colleagues have been sadly lost forever, there are still a few discernible rays of hope in the form of a growing number of groups that place an emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration.
Locally, we’ve seen the establishment and continuing success of the creative/tech idea incubator Spreenkler and the foundation of the much anticipated artistic cross-pollinator RedLine Milwaukee, opening in July. In what may enable us to confidently call this a trend o’ our times, we can now happily welcome Upgrade! Milwaukee to our fair city by the Great Lake.
Upgrade! Milwaukee was founded some months back by three übersmart artists who also happen to teach at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) Peck School of the Arts: Nathaniel Stern, Assistant Professor/Area Head of Digital Studio Practice and Co-Coordinator of Interdisciplinary Arts & Technology in the Department of Visual Art; Ryan Sarnowski, Associate Lecturer in the Film and Visual Arts Departments; and Colleen Ludwig, Assistant Professor in the Film Department. Their goal? To bring the excitement and beauty of synergistic cooperation to artists of all disciplines working or wanting to work in digital mediums…” Continue reading Time Has Come for a Milwaukee Upgrade! by Mary Dally-Muenzmaier, CricketToes.
