Greater Milwaukee Foundation honors contributions to arts, community

The Greater Milwaukee Foundation honored Steve Marcus, chairman of the Marcus Corporation and of Sculpture Milwaukee, last week with its William C. Frye Award. First presented in 1956, the Frye Award honors individuals who, through their volunteer work, have made Milwaukee a better place.

Known widely for his visionary leadership in his iconic family business, Steve Marcus became president of the Marcus Corporation in 1980 and added the roles of CEO in 1989 and chairman of the board in 1991. He guided the trailblazing lodging and entertainment company until his retirement in 2009, when his eldest son Greg, took over as president and CEO.

Steve Marcus is a past chair and former board member of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, was one of the founders of Summerfest and has served on the board of such organizations as the Greater Milwaukee Committee, Boys and Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin Foundation and the Milwaukee Jewish Federation.

His latest passion and contribution to the community has been Sculpture Milwaukee, which features free, outdoor access to the work of nationally recognized artists placed on display along the downtown corridor of Wisconsin Avenue. This year, 21 works created by 22 significant artists from around the world are showcased.

Marcus received the distinction at the Foundation’s Lunch with the President & Civic Award Presentation Sept. 14, which also featured a panel conversation moderated by Sandy Maxx, host of The Arts Page on Milwaukee PBS. She and three community arts leaders discussed how arts and culture organizations are essential to a vibrant community and their vision for the arts in the greater Milwaukee region.

  • Randy Bryant, president and CEO, Ten Chimneys Foundation
  • Mark Niehaus, president and executive director, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
  • Teri Sullivan, founder and CEO, Arts@Large

About the Greater Milwaukee Foundation

The Greater Milwaukee Foundation is the region’s largest community foundation and was among the first established in the world. For more than a century, the Foundation has inspired philanthropy by connecting generous people to community needs that align with their interests. The Foundation was founded on the premise that generosity can unlock an individual’s potential and strengthen the community as a whole for everyone who lives here. We work in partnership with those who are committed to ensuring greater Milwaukee is a vibrant, economically thriving region that comprises welcoming and inclusive communities providing opportunity, prosperity and a high quality of life for all.


 

 

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Jeremy PodolskiMarketing and Communications Manager