Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters

The Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters is an independent nonprofit organization based in Madison, Wisconsin, that produces programs and publications related to science, arts, and letters in the state.[1]

Founded in 1870, the academy supports public engagement with scientific, cultural, and civic issues in Wisconsin through publications, exhibitions, lectures, and awards programs.[1]

History

The Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters was established in 1870 to encourage collaboration and exchange among individuals engaged in scientific, artistic, and scholarly work in Wisconsin.[1] The first annual meeting was held at the state capital on April 14, 1871.[2]

Programs and publications

The academy publishes Wisconsin People and Ideas, a quarterly magazine focused on contemporary Wisconsin thought and culture.[1]

The organization operates the James Watrous Gallery at the Overture Center for the Arts in Madison, which exhibits contemporary art by Wisconsin artists.[3]

The academy also organizes public lectures and forums across Wisconsin and administers annual literary and leadership awards, including Fiction & Poetry Awards and Fellows Awards. It supports the Wisconsin Poet Laureate program.[3]

Affiliations

The Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters". Idealist. Retrieved December 12, 2025.
  2. ^ "Academy of Science". Chippewa Falls Democrat. February 16, 1871. p. 4 – via newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b c "Mission, Vision, and Values". Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters. Retrieved December 12, 2025.