A Milwaukee business which provides work spaces for dozens of artists is planning a move from Riverwest to a larger, more visible Menomonee Valley location.
House of RAD (which stands for Resident Artists Doers) has operated at 900 E. Keefe Ave. since 2020, where it leases 35,000 square feet as an incubator for artists.
Its planned 67,700-square-foot future location is at the Brass Light Gallery property, 324 N. 12th St. That’s according to building and occupancy permit applications filed with the Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services.
Those records show plans to renovate space on two floors for artist studios, galleries, a wood and metal shop, printing facilities, sound booth, classroom and event space.
The new home would be named Aether, and would offer “not just space, but an energy, a comprehensive ecosystem with state-of-the-art facilities, professional development, and programs that foster collaboration among artists, designers, and makers,” according to its operations plan.
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“Our artist-centric business model, featuring diverse revenue streams from studio rentals to collaborative projects, ensures sustainability while empowering artists to build impactful careers,” it said.
Menomonee Valley move coming by December 2026
Artist Brandon Minga, who operates House of RAD, told the Journal Sentinel it will be in the Menomonee Valley building by December 2026 “and operational by winter of 2027.”
Aether Society LLC, which lists Minga as its registered agent, will buy part of the Brass Light Gallery property and operate it to support House of RAD, according to the operations plan.
Brass Light Gallery will continue to operate at the larger property, Minga said.
The planned new location is on a stretch of West St. Paul Avenue where historic industrial buildings have been redeveloped for design- and home decor-related businesses.
Along with Brass Light Gallery, they include Bachman Furniture, BBC Lighting, House of Stone, Riverview Antique Market, ProStar Surfaces Inc., Guardian Fine Art Services, and The Warehouse art gallery.
That area also includes a former factory, at West St. Paul Avenue and North 15th St., which developer Ken Breunig plans to convert into apartments.
Tom Daykin can be emailed at tdaykin@jrn.com and followed on Instagram,Bluesky, X and Facebook.
