As a multidisciplinary nonprofit cultural arts facility with a 17-year history of excellence, it is the mission of the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts to serve as a catalyst for lifelong discovery and exploration of the arts. Situated in Brookfield's beautiful Mitchell Park, the Wilson Center is recognized as a cultural anchor in the Greater Milwaukee community and focuses on three main disciplines: performing arts, arts education, and visual arts. Since opening in 2002, the Wilson Center has continued to celebrate its five core values of excellence, innovation, passion, stewardship, and collaboration through a diverse array of premier performances, educational programs, classes, festivals, and special events. The Wilson Center annually welcomes more than 45,000 people, including more than 10,000 students every year—many of whom are being introduced to the arts for the first time. Through arts education programs such as Beyond the Classroom, ArtsReach, and Arts Camp: The Art of Nature, as well as year-round visual art classes and exhibitions, the Wilson Center promotes lifelong learning for children, teens, families, and adults. The Wilson Center is recognized for its intimate and vibrant performances, including Branford Marsalis, Audra McDonald, Pilobolus, Hilary Hahn, Suzanne Vega, Leo Kottke, Jessica Lang Dance, Venice Baroque Orchestra, Yamato, Al DiMeola, Kronos Quartet, Roseanne Cash, and many other internationally acclaimed artists and ensembles. Performances take place in The Harris Theater, the cabaret style Dawes Studio Theater, and the Gerlach/Haack Outdoor Theater, which is home every summer to the Starry Nights free outdoor concert series.