The Wisconsin Academy is a place for people to connect with experts and learn from each other.
Our programs are made for people who are curious about our world and proud of Wisconsin ideas.
06/15/2026
Our Finding Home story collection creates space for Wisconsinites to listen to one another and reflect on what binds us together. These conversations are crucial in a time when many people feel isolated and divided.
Hear today from Eleanor of Dane County about what home means to her!
Donate today to support connection and curiosity.
https://www.wisconsinacademy.org/make-donation
What should every Wisconsinite know about PFAS?
For many of us, home means knowing that our families, communities, and natural resources are safe and healthy. As part of our Finding Home story collection, we sat down with Senator Eric Wimberger to discuss per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, and why addressing contamination is important for communities across Wisconsin.
The conversation comes at a pivotal moment. Earlier this year, Wisconsin lawmakers passed bipartisan PFAS legislation aimed at expanding resources for testing, remediation, and support for impacted communities. The legislation reflects a growing recognition that clean, safe water affects people across political, geographic, and economic lines.
At the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters, we believe a thriving Wisconsin depends on informed conversations, shared understanding, and solutions that support both people and the natural world. Through Finding Home, we are exploring what it means to build healthy, resilient communities where everyone has access to clean water, a safe environment, and a sense of belonging.
What does home look like to you? What kind of future do you imagine?
Over the past few months, we invited Wisconsinites to share their visions of home through drawings. This collage reminds us that home is more than just a physical place. It is community, nature, and aspirations for the future we want to create together.
Thank you to everyone who shared a piece of their vision with us.
06/10/2026
We are excited to welcome Mya Rodriguez Williams as the Wisconsin Academy's new Development Director.
Mya is a dedicated development, public relations, and community engagement professional, specializing in community-centric fundraising, strategic communications, and grassroots advocacy. Her work is grounded in the belief that storytelling, relationship-building, and creative expression are essential tools for strengthening communities and creating sustainable funding for advancing equity. She brings this commitment to every aspect of her professional and creative life, working to create intersectional spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued.
Please join us in welcoming Mya to the Wisconsin Academy team!
Pictured from left to right: Natalia Freeze, External Relations Coordinator; Julie Steinert, Administrative Assistant; and Mya Rodriguez Williams, Development Director.
06/08/2026
We're feeling incredibly grateful as we close out our yearly board retreat at the Urban League in Madison.
Thank you to all of our board members and staff who joined us yesterday and today to support our statewide work and move into the next era.
A special thanks to board member and Wisconsin Academy Fellow Dr. Ruben Anthony for hosting our meeting at the Urban League of Greater Madison.
How do Wisconsinites feel about home?
Hear today from Casey Meehan of La Crosse, Wisconsin to hear his thoughts.
Our Finding Home initiative creates space for Wisconsinites to listen to one another and reflect on what binds us together. These conversations are crucial in a time when many people feel isolated and divided.
Your donation supports programs that bring Wisconsin communities together through the sciences, arts, and letters.
https://www.wisconsinacademy.org/make-donation
06/08/2026
Take a moment to slow down today and appreciate the beauty and storytelling woven into this extraordinary artwork by Wisconsin Academy Fellow Karen Ann Hoffman.
A citizen of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin and a nationally recognized artist, Hoffman is a master of Haudenosaunee Raised Beadwork, a distinctive art form known for its intricate 3D designs and deep cultural significance. These pieces carry stories, cultural knowledge, and generations of tradition.
We are honored and grateful to have her as a Wisconsin Academy Fellow!
Beadwork by Karen Ann Hoffman. Photo by James Gill Photography, courtesy of the National Endowment for the Arts.
06/06/2026
Hear today from Gabriella of Dane County about what home means to her.
Our Finding Home story collection creates space for Wisconsinites to listen to one another and reflect on what binds us together. These conversations are crucial in a time when many people feel isolated and divided.
If these stories resonate with you, donate today to support connection and curiosity.
https://www.wisconsinacademy.org/make-donation
06/06/2026
"For the q***r community, travel is more than just an escape or an adventure; it’s a vital act of self-discovery, visibility, and connection. For LGBTQ+ travelers, experiencing different cultures, meeting like-minded individuals, and finding spaces where they feel safe and accepted can be life-affirming. Travel allows q***r individuals to see that they are not alone, that love and identity exist in infinite forms, and that there are places where they can truly be themselves without fear."
This Pride Month, we're celebrating the stories and perspectives that help people feel seen and welcomed. Originally published in Our Lives Magazine and reprinted with permission in our latest WP&I magazine, Krystal Westfahl's article, "Feeling at Home in the Northwoods" reflects on the importance of finding places where people can belong.
At the Wisconsin Academy, we believe that diverse perspectives make our state richer. We're proud to support and uplift LGBTQ+ voices throughout Wisconsin.
Read the full article here: https://www.wisconsinacademy.org/magazine/winter-spring-2026/essay/feeling-home-northwoods
06/05/2026
Support the Wisconsin Academy and help us continue creating spaces where science and storytelling come together, like our Finding Home Among the Stars event earlier this year.
Tonight, as the aurora may glow over Wisconsin's skies, we are reflecting on the audience testimonials shared that evening. Attendees found meaning in many different ways, reminding us why this work matters.
Donate today: https://www.wisconsinacademy.org/make-donation