The Quadracci family’s $10 million pledge announced on October 26, 2026 will fund a new endowment dedicated to the Milwaukee Art Museum’s Quadracci Pavilion. The donation aligns with the pavilion’s 25‑year milestone and will sustain the iconic moving wings for decades to come.
This latest gift follows the family’s historic partnership with the museum, beginning with Betty and Harry Quadracci’s $10 million lead challenge in 1997. Over the past 30 years, the Quadraccis have contributed $30 million, with Joel, Caran, Dr. Kathryn Quadracci Flores, Dr. Raja Flores, Elizabeth Harned, Chris Harned and late H. Richard Quadracci among the benefactors.
Designed by Santiago Calatrava, the Quadracci Pavilion opened in 2001 and instantly became a civic icon. Its white, retractable wings—known as the Burke Brise Soleil—extend across the lakefront entrance, creating a dynamic silhouette that has defined Milwaukee’s skyline for two decades.
Joel Quadracci told reporters that preserving the structure is a continuation of his parents’ vision to keep the pavilion “extraordinary for future generations.” Kathryn Quadracci Flores added that the building “embodies Milwaukee’s imagination and ambition,” and Elizabeth Harned said the family’s legacy is to “encourage creativity by bringing people into contact with art.”
The Quadracci Pavilion Preservation Endowment Fund will generate annual income from its invested assets, earmarked solely for maintenance of the wings, façade, and mechanical systems. By establishing a perpetual source of funding, the museum can schedule regular inspections, repairs, and upgrades without relying on ad‑hoc donations, ensuring the landmark remains safe and accessible to visitors and school groups.