Milwaukee City Wire

On Thursday, May 30, Milwaukee Recreation hosted its annual Partnership for the Arts & Humanities Showcase. The event highlighted various forms of artwork created by Milwaukee youth in programs funded by the Partnership for the Arts & Humanities program. The evening concluded with the recognition of finalists for two awards: Outstanding Young Creative of the Year and Teaching Artist of the Year.

Nominees were honored for their dedication to their work in the arts and humanities, as well as their leadership, commitment, and discipline. Jerri Dawson, a member of the Running Rebels Community Organization since 2022, was recognized for her contributions to her community through art and leadership. Known for her spoken word performances that address historical and ongoing struggles faced by Black people and female empowerment, Dawson aims to bridge generational gaps through shared passions.

Dawson performed at both the 2023 and 2024 showcases and will continue her journey at UW-Milwaukee in the fall. “An award like this means a lot,” Dawson said. “It shows that people are paying attention.” She emphasized the importance of youth participation in the arts: “It gives them a voice when nobody is listening."

Dionna Hayden joined ArtWorks for Milwaukee in 2021 and has led their graphic design and mental health advocacy internship since then. She has been pivotal in guiding Milwaukee youth to discover their voices, passions, and life paths. Described by past interns as an “outstanding” teacher who creates a supportive environment, Hayden's recognition as Teaching Artist of the Year highlights her impact on the community.

“This means so much to me because it points to the work that we're doing,” Hayden said. “This award is helping to direct attention where I really want it to go.” She stressed the importance of community involvement in arts and humanities: “Art is a therapy of sorts... It’s a part of everybody.”

The event concluded with congratulations extended to all finalists and award recipients.

Visit our Facebook page to see more photos from the 2023-24 Partnership for the Arts & Humanities Showcase (photo gallery one, two, three, and four).