Wealthyist E26 | Arts & Philanthropy: An Interview With Sandy Wysocki
This week's episode of Wealthyist podcast, hosted by Kent Helene, Associate Wealth Manager at Annex Wealth Management, features a conversation with Sandy Wysocki, Executive Director of the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts. The episode explores the intersection of arts, philanthropy, and financial planning, particularly for high-net-worth individuals. Here’s a summary of the key points:
- Overview of the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center: Sandy discusses the center’s mission to provide a vibrant arts destination in Brookfield, Wisconsin, focusing on performing arts, arts education, and visual arts. The center serves as a cultural anchor in the Greater Milwaukee community, hosting diverse performances and educational programs.
- Revenue and Funding: About one-third of the center’s revenue comes from performances, which include:
- Mainstage Series: Monthly shows in a 613-seat theater, featuring a variety of genres like country (e.g., Marty Stuart), Broadway, jazz, and bluegrass.
- Matinee Series: Targeted at seniors, with popular shows like Hollywood Revisited, showcasing vintage movie costumes and songs.
- Studio Series: Cabaret-style performances in a smaller, 100-seat venue with a casual, coffeehouse vibe.
- Beyond the Classroom: Field trips for students, bringing books to life through performances.
- Donations and Philanthropy: Donations are a significant funding source, driven by nostalgia (e.g., parents whose children performed at the center), financial planning needs (e.g., required minimum distributions), or a desire to make an impact. The center maintains transparency with financials and impact reports on its website to build trust with donors.
- Financial Planning Connection: Ken ties the center’s work to wealth management strategies, such as:
- Charitable Giving: Donating appreciated stock to avoid capital gains taxes, benefiting both the donor and the center.
- Estate Planning: Incorporating charitable giving into trusts and legacy planning, especially relevant with the $80 trillion baby boomer wealth transfer.
- Future Goals: The center aims to celebrate its 25th anniversary in two years by increasing its endowment for sustainability and upgrading technology (e.g., sound and lighting systems) to remain state-of-the-art.
- Community Impact: Sandy emphasizes the arts’ role in enhancing mental health and fostering shared experiences, distinguishing live performances from digital consumption. The center’s free Starry Nights outdoor concerts, starting June 27, 2025, were highlighted as an accessible community event.
- Notable Highlight: Sandy shares her enthusiasm for the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, a surprisingly entertaining act that sold out and is planned to return in a couple of years.
The episode underscores how the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center balances artistic programming with financial sustainability while aligning with wealth management strategies like tax and estate planning for charitably inclined individuals. For more information, visit annexwealth.com or wilson-center.com.
