The Big Event 2025
Saturday, June 7, 2025 • 5:30pm
A fabulous night in support of access to the arts!
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 after dinner entertainment. Proceeds from The Big Event support the mission of the Wilson Center to be the catalyst for lifelong discovery and exploration of the arts.
For information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact Ben Brzeski at 262-439-5684 or bbrzeski@wilson-center.com. Or download the event and sponsorship opportunities information sheet here.
JoAnne and Don Krause
20th Annual EDDY Award Honorees
DON AND JOANNE KRAUSE
THE EDDY AWARD – Endowed by Wilson Center supporters Kathryn Murphy Burke and John Burke, the EDDY is presented annually 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. In presenting the 2025 EDDY Award, the Wilson Center will celebrate the generosity of Don and JoAnne Krause for their longstanding commitment to the arts in the Milwaukee area, with a particular focus on classical music and music education.
Over the years, Don and JoAnne Krause have made a significant impact with a variety of local organizations, including the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra (MSO), the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO), and PianoArts of Wisconsin.
Read the entire press release here.
10th Annual Educational Excellence Award
THE WISCONSIN CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC
THE EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARD – The Wilson Center Bridge Committee has selected The Wisconsin Conservatory of Music as this year’s recipient of the award, in recognition of their significant commitment to inspiring students of every age and skill level by providing an accessible, exceptional music education. The Conservatory traces its roots to several Wisconsin music institutions and is now the largest independent non-profit music school in the state. With renowned former students such as Liberace and Gene Wilder, WCM continues to produce entertainment icons like Justin Hurwitz, the Academy Award-winning composer of La La Land, and Angie Swan, one of the most successful professional guitarists of our time. Read the entire press release here.
Enjoy a sampling of photos from The Big Event 2024
The program featured fabulous performances by friends and partners of the center. Special thanks the following groups for making the evening so special:
Elmbrook Schools: Brookfield East High School Student Saxophone Quartet, Brookfield Central High School strings quartet and Brookfield East High School a capella singers, Genesis
Wisconsin Conservatory of Music: Faculty Brass Quartet
First Stage: Organized Chaos
Professional Singer: B.D. Greet and the Gents
Fred Astaire Dance Company
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! See the entire list of Bridge Committee members here.
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. Recent EDDY Award recipients include, Andrea and Tony Bryant & Judy and Gary Jorgensen (2024), Keith Mardak and Mary Vendenberg (2023), Kathryn Murphy Burke (2022), Baird and Mary Ellen & Scott Stanek (2020/21), Kate and Don Wilson (2019), and Bud and Sue Selig (2018). Scroll down to see the entire list of EDDY Awardees.
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 The Milwaukee Rep (2024), Latino Arts, Inc. (2023), Next Act Theater and Producing Artistic Director David Cecsarini (2022), Milwaukee Film (2020/21), Milwaukee Ballet and Artistic Director Michael Pink (2019), Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Arts in Community Education/ACE (2018), Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra (2017), First Stage (2016), and the Florentine Opera Company (2015).
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.
2024: The Milwaukee Rep, 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
2024: Andrea and Tony Bryant & Judy and Gary Jorgensen