Events

Everyone loves a story! Inspired by the fortitude of Jewish Partisan Faye Schulman, enjoy the evening while being entertained, engaged and emboldened by Milwaukeeans sharing their “Untold Stories of Resistance.”

Be part of a rare opportunity to experience Marc Chagall’s legendary Le Cirque portfolio through the eyes of his granddaughter, Bella Meyer. Iconic attributes of Chagall’s creations – his quintessential use of vivid color, dreamlike composition and fanciful characters – befittingly capture his lure to the circus and its emblematic encapsulation of the human condition.

You are invited to share your thoughts and ideas with the Wisconsin Historical Society as we seek to create a modern, state-of-the-art history museum that connects and tells the story of all Wisconsinites.

Bring your ‘greatest showman’ for a day celebrating all things circus, with activities for carnies of all ages, including lessons in juggling, hula hooping and circus-inspired dance. Then get twisted with some balloon twisting, cirque makeup and a make-your-own-circus print workshop.

Best-selling author of The Invisible Bridge, Julie Orringer, is coming to Milwaukee to expound on her newly published historical novel, The Flight Portfolio. The Flight Portfolio is based on the true story of Varian Fry's extraordinary attempt to save the work, and the lives, of Jewish artists fleeing the Holocaust such as Marc Chagall, Marchel Duchamp, Max Ernst, Hannah Arendt, Franz Werfel and André Breton.

Did you know that more than 100 circuses began in Wisconsin? Join Jewish Museum Milwaukee to celebrate Wisconsin’s long-standing circus tradition with a behind-the-scenes tour of Circus World in Baraboo, the major participant in the Great Circus Parade held in Milwaukee from 1963 to 2009.

In partnership with David Barnett Gallery, Jewish Museum Milwaukee explores the long-time fascination of artists with the circus by highlighting art from the David Barnett Gallery collection. Celebrate the life of the circus with a wine reception followed by a lecture on the artistic and cultural environment from which these circus-themed artworks emerged.