Black Performing Arts Groups In Milwaukee Combine Back-Office Operations

As arts groups look for ways to control costs, three prominent African-American performing groups in Milwaukee are combining their back-office operations.

Ko-Thi Dance Company, the African-American Children’s Theatre and Hansberry-Sands Theatre Company are pooling their administrations into an umbrella organization called the Black Arts Think Tank. Barbara Wanzo, the executive director of the joint effort, said the move should let the artists focus on creating programming, while allowing for “a more effective and efficient infrastructure for back-office administration, programming, and strategic collaborations.”

Former State Commerce Secretary Cory Nettles is co-chair of the board of directors of Black Arts Think Tank. Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra will be part of a kick-off fundraiser for the think tank, following a concert on Monday night in Milwaukee.