Museum for Advertising Professionals

Those with an interest in advertising art and design, or who have a fondness for the commercial aspects of popular culture will enjoy a trip to The Eisner American Museum of Advertising and Design. This is an interactive education experience that focuses on the impace of advertising on American culture. The goals of the museum are to:

Honor and lend recognition to past achievements within the scope of advertising and design

Foster public awareness of the influential role of advertising and design on society

Serve as an educational resource for advertising and design students and professionals and the community at large

The museum was in many ways inspired by the work of William F. Eisner. Eisner was a graduate of they Layton School of Art, which later became the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. As an entrepreneur and innovator, he built a complex that houses his own blend of companies including a print company, photography studi, advertising agency, recording studio, graphic design house, public relations firm and a Christian communications company. In one location, created by Eisner, there was everything a company could need to create a successful advertising campaign. Eisner services numerous Milwaukee clients, many of them nationally known names. Following Eisner's death in 1990, his wife Elaine began planning the museum.

Displays and exhibits at the museum have included "UNSEEN Architecture'' MKE,'' which is a showcase of Milwaukee projects that were never built or seen before. "100 Years of Evinrude Motors'' is a combination of industrial and product design, with advertising that speaks to the consumer. Smaller exhibits include "Val's,'' a display of the psychological and demographic profile system used by advertising firms, as well as a commercial reel from the Cannes Film Festival.

The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday until 5:00 pm. Thursday has extended hours until 8:00 pm. Adults can enter the museum for $5.00 and youth and seniors pay $3.00. The museum is a popular attraction for students studying advertising and marketing and a discounted student rate of $2.00 is available. The museum can be rented for special events. Either the entire museum or one of the areas such as the conference room, museum, or auditorium is available. This is a great venue for business meetings of all sizes, parties, catered evens, auctions, and weddings receptions.

The Eisner is a great resource for educations and can be visited by school groups or individual students or instructors. Docent-led school tours will be based on the age group and subject the students are studying. For a specialized tour, one month notice is required. The museum also supplies resources for educators and can supply classroom activities or information about advertising websites.

The museum is an excellent destination for those with an interest in advertising and marketing. Whether you are studying advertising, interested in the effect commercials have on popular culture, or you just want a modern, fun environment for your next event, The Eisner may be able to help. For an educational tour or well-organized special event, contact the museum for assistance.