Professor Molthen was elected Chair of the meeting and the first President of the non-profit organization. It was agreed its mission was to provide recognition for City Arts organizations and coordinate their calendars of events. Originally, fund raising was attempted with historic home tours. Subsequently, funding for the group's activities and the grants it awards to member organizations was acquired through membership dues and workplace giving campaigns coordinated through the United Performing Arts Fund.

Around 1994, the name of the organization was changed to recognize arts organizations throughout the County as Professor Molthen originally intended rather than just the City of Waukesha.

One of the mainstays of the Alliance's mission has been to recognize achievement in or contribution to the arts during an annual awards ceremony and reception held at rotating arts locations throughout the County. Various awards are made with the most prestigious being the "Hall of Fame" award. The criteria for the awards are: