Talk about a big art scene. AMIRITE?

Wisconsin may have a diamond in the rough for art appreciators. According to the Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee was named one of America’s top 12 “ArtPlaces” of today by the aptly named organization ArtPlace. ArtPlace provides grants for projects in cities across the country, their goal being to spark recovery and economic development through the arts. A noble cause, I think can all agree.

Perhaps surprisingly, Milwaukee demonstrated success in the triple threat of art, artists, and venues (such as independent businesses and restaurants within a walkable environment).

The 12 communities include: Brooklyn, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami Beach, Milwaukee, New York, Oakland, Philadelphia, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.

If you’re like me, and wondering how on earth Milwaukee, Wisconsin made it onto this list, the answer may be buried in grants such as the $50,000 $500,000 the Greater Milwaukee Committee received in 2011 for its design and technology division.  The money was used to create MiKE, which works to develop high-tech talent for design and technology start-ups and connecting them to local businesses. Again, not sure how much of this kind of thing is happening in Milwaukee, but it sounds pretty cool.