By OnMilwaukee Staff Writers   Published Oct 10, 2001 at 6:10 AM

Have you seen Milwaukee's flag lately? Hopefully not, cause it's pretty darn ugly and outdated! The current city flag was designed in 1955 and is a collage of historical and then-current city symbols and buildings: stuff like the Milwaukee Arena, County Stadium and images of manufacturing, shipping and brewing industries.

Obviously, Milwaukee has changed a lot since 1955 and our city's leaders want our flag to represent Milwaukee's new image, new people and new buildings.

Milwaukee is a collection of cultures, connections and creativity. It's people, places and partnerships. When we think of our hometown we think big city with a small town attitude. Milwaukee has the best of both worlds.

The City needs a new flag to fit our new images. So, use your imagination and your knowledge of Milwaukee. Be abstract or representational. The city is looking for your creative ideas!

Here are the rules:

  • Open to anyone in the state of Wisconsin.
  • One $3,000 award, four $500 awards and more.
  • Contest ends November 15, 2001
  • Entries will be accepted from individuals or groups. One entry per individual or group. Minimum size of your design should be 4.5" high by 7" wide. Large entries are acceptable but should maintain these proportions.
  • All entries become the property of the Milwaukee Arts Board and cannot be returned.
  • Judges will be looking for a design that will have a long shelf life, so the design should avoid elements that are transient in nature. (e.g. County Stadium, featured on the current flag, was torn down after less than 50 years)
  • The judges will consider practicality of reproducing the design as a flag.
  • The Milwaukee Arts Board will submit the five overall best entries to the Common Council for final selection of the new flag design. The winning entry will be awarded $3,000. The 4 runners-up will each receive $500.
  • All entries must be received no later than 3 p.m. on Thurs., Nov. 15, 2001 at the offices of the Department of City Development, marketing section, 3rd floor, 809 N. Broadway, Milwaukee, WI 53202. Electronic entries should be sent to glpeter@mkedcd.org as either PDF or JPG files.

Click here for all the details and good luck, www.onmilwaukee.com/flag/