“I would say that the Charles Allis is Milwaukee’s hidden gem.”

Caroline Dannecker, 24, is a graduate of UW-Milwaukee who now works as the marketing and media specialist for the Charles Allis Art Museum. Before this, she had done a few internships in communications, marketed with non-profits and tried freelancing. She’s passionate about Open Doors Milwaukee as a venue to show off the museum’s uniqueness and character. As a Milwaukee native, Dannecker has an appreciation for her home town.

Dawson Carrell: When it comes to networking down here, how would you say that you found it to be more accessible or convenient, how did you make connections down here?

Caroline Dannecker: I had no connections to the museum prior to this, until I got here and found I did actually know someone, weirdly. But I think it’s just constantly looking for things that hit your interest and where when you look at someone’s profile for instance, our executive director Jamie also has a background in working with nonprofits and when I came in to interview, that was where we kind of bonded. We discussed our work, we discussed the life of working nonprofit, the Charles Allis Art Museum and the Village Terrace Art Museum, which are under one nonprofit. They are nonprofits, there’s a lot of similarities in working with nonprofits even though being in a museum is separate from the work Jamie and I did prior to having these positions.

Dawson Carrell: How would you describe living here in Milwaukee and accommodating to the different environment?

Caroline Dannecker: I grew up in Milwaukee, so I am a native, born and bred. I did live outside of the country and outside of Milwaukee for some time while I was studying. I’ll say coming back was a different experience, but it also allowed me to see the city with new eyes. When I grew up here, I took a lot for granted. I didn’t know the Charles Allis and the Village Terrace existed when I was younger and coming back and seeing Milwaukee and actually coming back to it with new eyes and being able to experience the city in a different way. Having gained different perspectives really has allowed me to appreciate all that Milwaukee has to offer.

Dawson Carrell: What exactly about the museum catches your eye and makes you feel fulfilled and worthwhile being here?

Caroline Dannecker: It is a beautiful, historic home in Milwaukee. A lovely space in general, I think I fell in love with it the day I interviewed and was given a tour. It has one of the only greenspaces in the form of its courtyard for quite some while on the East side. It’s a little piece of harmony when I’m taking  a break during the day and walking out in the courtyard. I love walking through the museum during the day, especially on the days when we don’t have any visitors, it’s nice to basically be a private museum goer and walk through when I’m looking for inspiration for work when I’m looking to distract myself and recenter myself. There’s a lot of history in this home, there’s a lot of love for the city, for their art that Charles and Sarah Allis gave to this home that I think you can find everywhere. And I don’t know loads about the collection, I’m constantly learning and I love that. I love being able to do that in my free time, at my job, it’s a wonderful place to work.

Dawson Carrell: Would you say that you have a passion for art?

Caroline Dannecker: I think I do, I’ve always been a learner, where you want to continue to learn. I’m a bit brainy in that way I guess, as one of my coworkers says I have my big brain moments, which always makes me laugh. And I think there’s constantly something to see, constantly something to look at that’s new here in the collection. And really explore and sit down and learn in-depth, especially because I have access to our collections manager Janele. So if I have a question I’m like, ‘Janele what is this? Tell me more,’ and I think everyone on our team is like that, learning more about the permanent collection, exploring art in general when we talk about exhibitions. I studied art a little when I was younger, definitely wasn’t ever going to become an artist, but I do enjoy producing art in terms of the graphic design I do for the museum. Creating and assisting in telling the stories that are available to tell about the museum and to spread those messages. It’s a creative line of work and a creative space.