The Bronzeville Center for the Arts announced Monday plans to begin demolition of the former Department of Natural Resources building at 2312 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, marking a step toward the creation of Milwaukee’s future African American Art and Culture Museum.
The museum has been a priority for the center, also known as the BCA, a nonprofit organization focused on highlighting the art and history of the African diaspora. It was founded in 2020.
Throughout its existence, the BCA staff has worked on several projects with many partners in preparation for the museum. Most recently, BCA established Gallery 507, at 507 W. North Ave., as its headquarters.
Proceeds from the gift shop will be used to support the 50,000-square-foot African American art museum.
What’s next
The site will eventually be home to a world-class cultural institution dedicated to celebrating African American art, culture and heritage.
But in the meantime, the property will remain vacant while the center continues to develop plans and raise funds for the museum. Demolition is expected to begin in the coming weeks.
The goal now, said Deshea Agee, the vice president of the Emem Group, is to engage a landscape architect and collaborate with community members and stakeholders to create an attractive space that suits the needs of the neighborhood while plans for the museum take shape.
“We have been very focused on community input throughout this process,” said Agee. “And we want that to continue to be a priority.” The Emem Group is a Milwaukee-based real estate firm that specializes in residential architecture and construction management.
“This is more than a demolition—it’s the beginning of a transformative journey for Bronzeville and for Milwaukee,” said Kristen Hardy, acting chair of the center’s Board of Directors in a news release . “We are thoughtfully moving forward to create a space that honors the legacy of African American art and culture, while inviting the community to be part of every stage of the process.”
For more information
John Russick, the managing director of the Bronzeville Center for the Arts, encourages residents, artists and local leaders to participate in shaping the vision for the space.
“If you want to support this work, come to meetings or volunteer your time,” he said. “If you see us make a mistake, tell us and get involved.”
For updates and more information, you can visit www.BCAMKE.org or follow any of the BCA social media channels.
