Arts
Opened in just the last couple years, Milwaukee's most prominent cultural attrac-tion is the Milwaukee Art Museum, and its $100 million wing designed by Santiago Calatrava in his first American commission. The museum includes what Calatrava called "brise soleil," a moving sunscreen that quite literally unfolds like the wing of a bird. In fact, the wings are trig-gered by a solar sensor and battery. During the warmer months, the rising sun activates and powers the wings -- opening them as the day begins and closing them as night falls.
The Milwaukee Public Museum and Milwaukee County Zoo are also popular public attractions, and each have undergone upgrades in recent years. The museum added an IMax theater, while the zoo introduced several new animal environments. Finally, the Mitchell Park Domes (three large glass and steel structures allowing the free flow of sunlight) are home to impressive horti-cultural collections.
Artistically, Milwaukee is home to the Florentine Opera, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the Milwaukee Ballet, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Skylight Opera Theatre and other small theater companies.