Cedarburg Art Museum

What Cedarburg Art Museum does

The Cedarburg Art Museum is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit art museum founded in June 2013 and headquartered in the historic 1898 Wittenberg-Jochem Mansion at W63N675 Washington Avenue, Cedarburg, Wisconsin. The institution's stated mission is to inspire, connect, and enrich the community through fine art and the stewardship of Wisconsin's creative legacy. It maintains a permanent collection of more than 260 Wisconsin-focused artworks (grown from an inaugural 49-piece Ozaukee Bank gift), operates rotating exhibitions, and curates educational programming including Main Street Art Camp for ages 5–12, the inclusive Every Artist Matters program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and Collection Conversations lectures. The museum also publishes 'A Creative Place: The History of Wisconsin Art' (400+ images, seven chapters) and participates in Cedarburg's five signature festivals (Strawberry, Wine & Harvest, Oktoberfest, Winter) via an on-site Beer Garden and exhibitions.

The museum operates with a small staff of 1–10 employees (Executive Director Dr. John E. Bauer, Curator Nikki Ranney, Administration & Communications Coordinator Mirel Crumb, Gift Shop Manager Lynne Ruehl) governed by a Board of Directors. The technology stack is conventional for a small nonprofit: a WordPress website and a Square-hosted e-commerce storefront for memberships, donations, event tickets, and book sales. No proprietary technology, AI/ML capabilities, or data platforms are referenced.

Revenue is generated through a diversified mix: eight membership tiers ($25 student to $5,000 corporate partner with NARM reciprocal benefits), private event rentals of the mansion and sculpture garden (indoor capacity 80, outdoor 200) with in-house beverage service, a museum gift shop featuring 70+ local Wisconsin artists, a seasonal Thursday-evening Beer Garden with Lakefront Brewery, paid programs (Royal Tea at $65/guest, Main Street Art Camp at $35/session, photography sessions at $150/hour), suggested $10 donations during free general admission, corporate sponsorships (Palette to Plate annual fundraiser), and book sales via direct e-commerce and wholesale channels. Customer segments include general public and tourists, Wisconsin artists (consignors, jurors, exhibitors), students and youth, private event clients, corporate sponsors, and institutional book buyers. Distribution occurs through walk-in visitation, on-site retail, e-commerce, festival participation, NARM reciprocal program (1,400+ museums globally), and wholesale book distribution.

Name

Cedarburg Art Museum

Legal name

Cedarburg Art Museum

Website

https://cedarburgartmuseum.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Cedarburg Art Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit art museum in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, housed in the 1898 Wittenberg-Jochem Mansion, preserving Wisconsin art through rotating exhibitions, a 260-piece permanent collection, educational programs, community events, venue rentals, and a museum shop featuring 70+ local artists.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Art Museum Services

NAICS

Museums (71211), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121)

akta.pro primary industry

Art Museums (THAJADAA)

Keywords

• Art museum services
• Exhibition programming
• Art education programs
• Event venue rentals
• Museum membership programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Cedarburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Museum Memberships: Annual membership tiers ranging from $25 (Student) to $5,000 (Corporate Partner). Memberships provide recurring revenue, free/discounted admission, shop discounts, and NARM reciprocal benefits.
2. Event Venue Rentals: Private event rentals of the Wittenberg-Jochem Mansion and sculpture garden for weddings, showers, corporate events, and parties. Beverages and bar service are provided by the museum. Photography sessions available at $150/hour.
3. Donations & Admissions: Free admission during regular exhibitions with a suggested $10 donation per person. Special holiday exhibitions (e.g., 'Twas the Night Before Christmas) charge $10 admission. General donations and planned giving are also solicited.
4. Museum Shop Sales: Retail sales of artwork and gifts from over 70 local artists through the museum gift shop. Members receive a 10% discount. Sales of the museum's landmark publication 'A Creative Place: The History of Wisconsin Art' also through the shop.
5. Beer Garden Operations: Beer garden operating Thursday evenings (late spring through October) serving Lakefront Brewery beer, wine, cocktails, and NA beverages with live music and food trucks. Sponsorships and beverage sales generate revenue.
6. Book Sales (A Creative Place): Sales of the landmark publication 'A Creative Place: The History of Wisconsin Art' — over 400 images, seven chapters covering Wisconsin art from First Nations through the 20th century. Available for direct purchase and wholesale to retailers.
7. Corporate Sponsorships & Grants: Corporate partnerships and sponsorships underwriting exhibitions, programs, and events. Major gifts, bequests, and planned giving also solicited. Artwork and collection gifts accepted.
8. Book Sales (A Creative Place): Sales of the landmark publication 'A Creative Place: The History of Wisconsin Art' — over 400 images, seven chapters covering Wisconsin art from First Nations through the 20th century. Available for direct purchase and wholesale to retailers.
9. Corporate Sponsorships & Grants: Corporate partnerships and sponsorships underwriting exhibitions, programs, and events. Major gifts, bequests, and planned giving also solicited. Artwork and collection gifts accepted.
10. Art Classes & Programs: Main Street Art Camp classes at $35 per session, Every Artist Matters (free, inclusive art classes for people with IDD), High School Sketch, and other educational programming.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Cedarburg Art Museum collects, exhibits, and preserves Wisconsin art in the historic 1898 Wittenberg-Jochem Mansion. It delivers rotating and permanent exhibitions, a permanent collection of 260+ Wisconsin artworks, educational and community programs (Main Street Art Camp, Every Artist Matters, Collection Conversations), seasonal events (Beer Garden, Palette to Plate, Royal Tea, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas), private event venue rentals, a museum shop featuring 70+ local artists, and a landmark publication on Wisconsin art history.

Product overview

The Cedarburg Art Museum is a regional art museum offering a unified portfolio of visitor experiences centered on Wisconsin art. Core offerings include rotating and permanent exhibitions in a historic 1898 mansion, a museum shop featuring over 70 local artists, and tiered membership programs with NARM reciprocal benefits. Educational programs span Main Street Art Camp for children, Every Artist Matters for artists with disabilities, and Collection Conversations lectures. The museum hosts seasonal events including a Beer Garden (May-October), annual Palette to Plate fundraiser, Royal Tea, and 'Twas the Night Before Christmas holiday event. Event rentals provide venue access for private celebrations. The museum also publishes A Creative Place: The History of Wisconsin Art, a landmark 400+ image publication chronicling 13,000 years of state art history. Annual juried exhibitions and the permanent collection of 260+ artworks round out the offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Museum Exhibitions Rotating exhibitions featuring Wisconsin artists, historic collections, and contemporary art displayed throughout the 1898 Wittenberg-Jochem Mansion, for visitors and the local community.
• Permanent Collection A permanent collection of over 260 Wisconsin artworks, including pieces from Ozaukee Bank's original gift, plein air paintings, and donations from area artists and collectors, accessible to museum visitors.
• Museum Shop On-site retail gift shop featuring artwork from over 70 local artists including jewelry, ceramics, paintings, prints, accessories, and greeting cards. Members receive 10% discount. Also sells the museum's book 'A Creative Place.'
• Museum Membership Program Tiered annual membership program offering free admission, gift shop discounts, NARM reciprocal benefits at 1,400+ museums, and exclusive events. Tiers range from Student ($25) to Corporate Partner ($5,000).
• Event Venue Rentals Venue rental services for private events including weddings, receptions, graduation parties, baby/bridal showers, and corporate events, featuring historic interior spaces and a sculpture garden with carriage house bar service. Indoor capacity up to 80 guests; outdoor up to 200.
• Main Street Art Camp Summer art camp program for children ages 5-12 offering age-specific classes (Art Explorers and Masterpiece Makers) at $35 per class, with themes including STEAM, plein air painting, sculpture, and nature-based art.
• Every Artist Matters Inclusive, free art program offering high-quality classes for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), including adaptive materials and instruction.
• Beer Garden Seasonal outdoor venue (May-October, Thursday evenings) featuring Lakefront Brewery beer on tap, wine, cocktails, non-alcoholic beverages, live music, and food trucks. Operates during Cedarburg festivals.
• Palette to Plate Annual farm-to-table fundraising dinner event featuring locally sourced ingredients, live music, auctions, and community celebration. Scheduled annually with sponsor support.
• Royal Tea Annual afternoon tea event at $65 per guest featuring mismatched china, tiered serving trays, tea sandwiches, scones, and fine teas. Limited to 30 guests per seating with member priority registration.
• 'Twas the Night Before Christmas Holiday fundraiser featuring Victorian mansion decorated period rooms inspired by Clement C. Moore's poem, with Festive Friday evening events including reindeer visits and Cheer Garden. $10 per person admission.
• A Creative Place: The History of Wisconsin Art Landmark 400+ image publication covering 13,000 years of Wisconsin art history across seven chapters. First comprehensive history of Wisconsin art in 85 years, co-authored by Thomas Lidtke and Annemarie Sawkins. Available for direct purchase and wholesale to retailers.
• Collection Conversations Educational lecture series featuring curator talks and deep dives into collection works, artists, and themes. Free and open to the public.
• Annual Juried Exhibition Annual juried art exhibition accepting entries from Wisconsin artists, with awards for Best of Show and category winners. Theme for 2026: 'America: a Wisconsin Perspective' celebrating the semiquincentennial.

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Lakefront BrewerycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLakefront Brewery is the exclusive beer provider for the Cedarburg Art Museum's Beer Garden, serving Lakefront beer on tap along with wine, cocktails, and non-alcoholic beverages. The partnership operates Thursday evenings from late spring through October and during Cedarburg festivals (Strawberry, Wine & Harvest, Oktoberfest).
• NARM (National Association of Reciprocal Museums)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCedarburg Art Museum is a member of NARM, enabling its members to receive free or discounted family admission to over 1,400 participating museums across the globe, including the Milwaukee Art Museum, plus discounts at museum gift shops. This reciprocal arrangement drives cross-visitation and membership value.
• Festivals of CedarburgmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAs of October 2024, Festivals of Cedarburg became the sole management body for Strawberry Festival, Wine & Harvest Festival, Winter Festival, and Oktoberfest. The museum continues as volunteer vendor docents during festivals. CAM has representation on the jury committee for artist selection.
• Palette to Plate Sponsors (Dr Gary Walters – Ozaukee Eyecare, Capitol Husting Company Inc, Port Washington State Bank, AP Income Tax & Accounting, The Cleaning Authority, Blind Horse Cellar, Dorsey's Cafe & Market, Old Orchard Farms, Witte's Vegetable Farm)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual farm-to-table fundraiser sponsors providing financial support, venue partnerships (Blind Horse Cellar, Dorsey's, Old Orchard Farms, Witte's Vegetable Farm for ingredients), and promotional backing. The event is CAM's primary annual fundraising gala.
• Wisconsin Visual Art Achievement AwardsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAwarding body that recognized 'A Creative Place: The History of Wisconsin Art' with the Arts Writing Award in 2024, lending credibility to the museum's publication and scholarly work.
• Cedarburg Artists GuildmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Cedarburg Artists Guild organizes Paint Cedarburg (165 plein air artists) and the Covered Bridge Art Studio Tour. The museum serves as the home base and acquires the Best of Show winner annually. Guild members have access to the biennial members-only exhibition through museum membership.
• Cedarburg Public LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAward-winning plein air paintings from Cedarburg's annual festival are displayed as long-term museum loans at the Cedarburg Public Library, extending the museum's reach beyond its walls.
• Marcus Hotels and Resorts (Pfister Hotel)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Pfister Hotel's artist-in-residence program (operating since 2009) has included Cedarburg Art Museum connections. The museum has a painting by 2025 artist-in-residence Sasha Kinens in its permanent collection.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Milwaukee Art Museum: Wisconsin's largest art museum and a NARM partner of Cedarburg. Comparable as a Wisconsin-focused art institution serving regional visitors and members, though with a vastly larger collection, staff, and budget.
• John Michael Kohler Arts Center: Major Wisconsin arts institution with artist residencies, exhibitions, and a permanent collection of Wisconsin-focused art. Comparable as a regional arts anchor and former Kohler Foundation partner of CAM.
• Chazen Museum of Art: University-affiliated art museum in Madison with a 20,000+ object collection. Comparable as a Wisconsin art institution, though academic and substantially larger.
• Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA): Contemporary art museum in Madison, WI with rotating exhibitions, education programs, and venue rentals. Comparable mission and programming structure, though with a larger operating budget.

Direct peers

• Museum of Wisconsin Art (MOWA): Wisconsin-focused regional art museum with a permanent collection and rotating exhibitions. Directly comparable mission and audience, though larger in scale and West Bend-based.
• Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum: Free-admission regional art museum in Wausau, WI with a permanent collection, bird-in-art focus, and education programs. Closely comparable as a smaller Wisconsin art museum with similar programming mix.
• Racine Art Museum: Regional Wisconsin art museum with contemporary craft and art collections. Comparable as a mid-sized Wisconsin art institution with similar exhibition and educational programming.
• Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass: Specialty art museum in Neenah, WI with a permanent collection and educational programs. Comparable as a smaller Wisconsin museum operating from a historic building with similar programmatic mix.
• Paine Art Center and Gardens: Historic-estate art museum in Oshkosh, WI combining a historic mansion with gardens and a permanent art collection. Closely comparable venue profile to CAM's Wittenberg-Jochem Mansion model.

Regional players

• Plains Art Museum: Regional art museum in Fargo, ND with similar scale, programming mix (exhibitions, education, artist residencies), and free-admission model. Comparable as a Midwestern regional art institution of similar size.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cedarburg-art-museum

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cedarburg Art Museum