10/19/2026
Take a BEHIND THE SCENES look at the collaboration between the Milwaukee Fire Department (MFD) and the 2026-2027 Milwaukee Public Artist in Residence (PAIR) Sarah Luther as they work together to look at the ways that art can be used as a tool to communicate the importance of safe housing.
In July, the Milwaukee Arts Board (MAB), in partnership with Milwaukee City Development and Milwaukee Fire Department , announced Sarah Luther as the City of Milwaukee 2026-2027 Public Artist in Residence (PAIR). Luther’s residency is the second iteration of the City’s PAIR program and will focus on safe housing in Milwaukee.
Over the next year plus, Sarah will partner with the Milwaukee Fire Department to use the power of art to address issues of Safe Housing. Working in collaboration with Sarah is PAIR Liaison Paul Druecke. Paul’s focus is working to make connections and provide logistical and administrative support for the project. Paul brings over 30 years experience as an artist, he has exhibited extensively including the Whitney Biennial, Milwaukee Art Museum and Sculpture Milwaukee. Paul prepared the PAIR Evaluation Report after the first residency which has helped shape the future of PAIR.
The Milwaukee Arts Board created the PAIR program as a way to weave artists into civic conversations. This first phase of the project is devoted to research and understanding the Milwaukee Fire Department, as well as what Safe Housing means generally for Milwaukee, and specifically what safe housing means to people in different types of housing and neighborhoods.
During the first few months of the project, the MFD has been a wealth of information and support. And Sarah has been able to experience the work of City departments, community organizations, neighbors, and artists. Sarah has remarked that, “It’s beautiful to see all of the effort and love being poured into Milwaukee from every corner. Change at a MACRO level can look small and slow, but when you zoom in a little closer, there are so many people making serious STRIDES all across the city.”
You can stay up to date with the Milwaukee Fire Department’s collaboration with PAIR by following the Milwaukee Arts Board .
