Milwaukee Art Museum and Third Ward are named some of the country's best arts destinations

Amy Schwabe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·1 min read
Marcelle Polednik, Director of the Milwaukee Art Museum, speaks to partners and community members prior to viewing the opening and illuminating of the Burke Brise Soleil (wings) of the Quadracci Pavilion Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, at the Milwaukee Art Museum in Milwaukee. Ebony Cox / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Marcelle Polednik, Director of the Milwaukee Art Museum, speaks to partners and community members prior to viewing the opening and illuminating of the Burke Brise Soleil (wings) of the Quadracci Pavilion Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, at the Milwaukee Art Museum in Milwaukee. Ebony Cox / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Just a few weeks after Discovery World was voted one of the country's best science museums by USA TODAY readers, the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Third Ward received recognition as best arts destinations.

Each week, a panel of industry experts nominates their favorite attractions in a wide variety of categories for the USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. From there, 10Best editors choose nominations to go before readers, who have four weeks to vote for their favorites.

The Milwaukee Art Museum was voted the eighth-best art museum in the United States. USA TODAY noted the museum's 32,000-plus artworks, more than 40 galleries and its "iconic Quadracci Pavilion." The sculptural addition to the art museum was designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and finished in 2001. It's especially known for its moveable wings, officially known as the Burke Brise Soleil.

People attend the Third Ward Art Festival on Broadway in The Historic Third Ward on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. The annual show ran Saturday and Sunday and featured the work of more than 150 juried artists from around the country.
People attend the Third Ward Art Festival on Broadway in The Historic Third Ward on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. The annual show ran Saturday and Sunday and featured the work of more than 150 juried artists from around the country.

Milwaukee's Third Ward neighborhood was chosen as the fifth-best arts district in the country. According to 10Best, a good arts district will "culturally enrich their cities and those who visit."

"We know the Historic Third Ward is a destination for those who recognize, embrace, and celebrate arts and culture," Jim Plaisted, the Historic Third Ward Association's executive director, said in a statement. "Our galleries, public art, performing arts and events define the Historic Third Ward not only as a leading Arts District in the Midwest but nationwide."

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee Art Museum, Third Ward ranked among best arts destinations