Every great mural begins with a single stroke, but it is finished by the community that surrounds it.
Our Partners
A Curated
Culinary Evening
An intimate, multi-course dinner for you, a guest, and fellow Circle members inside Commission House, featuring a bespoke menu by Chef Melissa Elsmo inspired by Third Ward heritage.
Premier Recognition
Leading placement on the permanent "Portal to the Past" commemorative plaque.
Aristic Engagement
An exclusive, behind-the-scenes social with muralist, John Kowalczyk, to discuss the work’s creative and historical narrative.
Suggested donation $10,000*
*Committee members are eager to discuss various giving levels with prospective circle members.
In honor of your early-stage leadership gift you’ll receive:
The Muralist’s Circle has room for up to seven additional partners to support our lead donor. Joining this exclusive group during the early phase of our campaign provides the essential energy required to bring this large-scale mural to life.
The Muralist's Circle
Our Gift Table
Leadership and Major gifts to the Commission House Mural Project are essential to make Portal to the Past a bold reality.
This gift table is a strategic model, not a fixed requirement. While it illustrates the
path to our goal, these tiers are fungible; we will adapt the final structure based on the unique vision and leadership of our founding donors.
Leadership Gifts are made during the early stages of the campaign and tax deductible payments can be phased to the project timeline through a simple gift agreement.
Labor & Intellectual Property
$75,000
Fees for lead artist: includes custom design, and professional execution
Materials
$20,000
High-durability UV-resistant paints, and brick primers.
Assistance
Fiscal Agent Fees
$15,000
$15,000
Compensation for assistant artists
Administrative oversight by Artworks for Milwaukee for accounting, tax reporting, and fund management.
Boomlift/Swing
$12,000
Rental and fuel for the aerial work platform required to safely access the north facade.
Contingency/Maintenance
$10,000
Reserve for weather-related delays and a fund for long-term mural cleaning and preservation.
Insurance/Legal
$6,000
Liability coverage for high-altitude work and legal review of property and artist contracts.
Breaking Down The Costs
$153,000
Total project cost estimate
~15,000 sq. ft.
Mural area
$10.20
Cost per square foot
*Estimated expenses are subject to change based on final renderings and in-kind donations.
Our Donors
To recognize the value of every contribution, we list our benefactors alphabetically.
Carrie Arrouet
Joe Ceretto
Marissa and Ryan Cox
Theri DeJoode
Melissa and Leif Elsmo
Mary and Craig Schanning
Ken Smith
our fiscal sponsor
The Commission House Mural Committee is proud to partner with ArtWorks for Milwaukee, our Third Ward-based fiscal sponsor. This collaboration brings our mission full circle: Our lead muralist, John Kowalczyk, is a former ArtWorks mentor, and your contributions are now fully tax-deductible.
By supporting this mural, you aren’t just transforming a wall, you are directly sustaining ArtWorks’ vital work providing paid internships and mental health advocacy for Milwaukee youth. Together, we are investing in the social and emotional well-being of our city’s next generation of creatives.
You must apply your donation to Commission House Mural Project.
Disclaimer
The Commission House Mural Committee does not provide tax or legal advice. Please consult your own tax and/or legal advisor before making any charitable gift.
For more information about the various ways to give and/or any general questions about The Commission House Mural please contact members of the mural committee at commissionhousemural@gmail.com
Donor Advised Fund
You, as a donor, may need to provide the following information about ArtWorks for Milwaukee to recommend a grant from your Donor Advised Fund (DAF) to benefit the Commission House Mural:
Legal Name: ArtWorks for Milwaukee
Tax Status: 501c3 public charity
Mission: Provides arts education and paid internships for youth, often focusing on community based art projects.
Acting as fiscal agent for the Commission House Mural Project.
DBA: ArtWorks for Milwaukee
EIN: 39-2025582
Address: 207 E Buffalo Street., Suite 600 Milwaukee, WI 53202
Please include memo: Commission House Mural.
To discuss further, please contact the Commission House Mural Committee at commissionhousemural@gmail.com
Credit Card
Visa, Master Card, AmEx, Discover are all accepted. Click the black "Donate" button at the top of the pageto process your gift. Select "Commission House Mural Project" from the drop down menu.
Check
Please make check payable to Artworks for Milwaukee and put Commission House Mural in the memo line. Mail to 207 E Buffalo St #600, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Ways to Give
Invest in the Heart of the Third Ward
Portal to the Past is more than a mural; it is a permanent tribute to Milwaukee's heritage. Your tax-deductible contribution through our fiscal sponsor directly funds the artistry and preservation efforts at the historic Commission House.
You must apply your donation to Commission House Mural Project.