A rendering of the Saint Kate Arts Hotel lobby
Rendering by Stonehill Taylor
Milwaukee hotels have a knack for supporting the arts. The Pfister Hotel, well-known for having an Artist-in-Residence (currently Stephanie Schultz), will soon be joined by a self-dubbed “Arts Hotel,” expected to open in spring 2019. The Saint Kate Arts Hotel, named after Saint Catherine, the patron saint of artists, is planning to “offer an experience unlike any other hotel through the celebration of the arts.” Unsurprisingly, both the Pfister and Saint Kate hotels are owned and managed by The Marcus Corporation, a leader in the lodging and entertainment industries, headquartered in Milwaukee, which also owns 68 theaters in eight states.
All the forms of art will be welcome at the Saint Kate Hotel, according to their communication thus far; “From music to dance, painting to sculpture, film to poetry and more. All ideas are welcome and encouraged.” The venue will include a theater for plays, lectures and various performances, a vast gallery space, event spaces to host exhibitions, and the guest rooms will also be art-inspired. Moreover, the venue will include a studio for Artists-in-Residence, based on the successful experience at the Pfister Hotel, where guests can share in the evolution of each artist’s work.
The Saint Kate’s team has the venue (which will replace the Intercontinental Hotel, right next to the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts) and the budget, now they need the content. At an unveiling event held Monday, Nov. 12, 400 local artists were invited to learn about the hotel and its artistic vision. Many more artists are invited to share their projects and creations with the hotel, to establish a working relationship on an individual basis.
Stay on top of the news of the day
Subscribe to our free, daily e-newsletter to get Milwaukee's latest local news, restaurants, music, arts and entertainment and events delivered right to your inbox every weekday, plus a bonus Week in Review email on Saturdays.
The hotel plans to feature collections and standalone pieces, performances, events and Artists-in-Residence, from international and local artists alike, both known and up-and-coming. The message they convey is clear: If you have a creative idea to bring the hotel to life, or if you need a venue to express your artistic skills, the Saint Kate team wants to hear from you.
You may submit art projects at proposals@saintkatearts.com. For more information and contacts, visit saintkatearts.com.