WISCONSIN, August 2026 – The Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters invites the public to celebrate Wisconsin’s brightest minds and most inspiring creative voices at the 2026 Fellows Induction Gala on Sunday, October 4, 2026, from 5:30pm to 8:30pm at the Overture Center for the Arts in Madison.
Every two years, the Wisconsin Academy recognizes an exceptional class of Fellows whose achievements have advanced the arts, sciences, letters, education, business, public service, and civic life. The Induction Gala signature event formally welcomes these individuals into the Wisconsin Academy Fellows program.
“The honor is a meaningful way of bringing attention to the depth and breadth of contributions these individuals have made in our state and beyond,” says Wisconsin Academy Executive Director Erika Monroe-Kane. “As Fellows, their role as luminaries has the potential to grow exponentially through public programs, increased access, and cross-disciplinary pollination.”
Established in 1982, the Fellows program is the only Award that recognizes outstanding work across the sciences, art, and letters in Wisconsin. The 2026 Class of Fellows will join over 100 current Fellows from around the state.
Read about the Fellows who will be inducted:
“Bright Minds and Creative Voices,” Wisconsin People & Ideas magazine, July 2026
The event includes time to mingle with Fellows, Wisconsin Academy members, board, and staff, affiliate organizations, and supporters from across Wisconsin, followed by a seated dinner. Exclusive interviews revealing insights about the experiences and accomplishments of the 2026 Fellows will be presented by video as part of the induction ceremony.
Individuals, organizations, and businesses are invited to purchase individual tickets, reserve a table of eight seats, or sponsor a table to celebrate individual Fellows’ accomplishments. Sponsorship opportunities provide meaningful visibility while helping sustain the Wisconsin Academy’s mission to advance ideas that improve life in our state. For any questions regarding this opportunity, please contact Mya Rodriguez Williams, Wisconsin Academy Director of Development at (608) 733-6633 ext. 16 or via email at mwilliams@wisconsinacademy.org.
Learn more about the Wisconsin Academy Fellows Award at: https://www.wisconsinacademy.org/fellows
About the Fellows Program
The Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters has been dedicated to the free exchange of ideas as part of creating and maintaining civic health since 1870. The Academy Fellows program is the heartbeat of this mission, serving as the common ground where Wisconsin’s most influential thinkers, creators, and problem-solvers meet. In a time of increasing fragmentation, these Fellows create a vital statewide network that unites our rural landscapes with our urban centers and brings together leaders from across the sciences, arts, and letters to navigate our most complex challenges. Wisconsin Academy Fellows are the modern stewards of the Wisconsin Idea. Together, they remind us that our greatest resource is our shared curiosity and our dedication to making this state a place where everyone can truly find a home.
About the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters
A champion of independent thought, creativity, and civil discourse, the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters connects people from across the state and builds common ground. Through exhibitions, publications, and initiatives, the Wisconsin Academy sparks curiosity, creativity, and dialogue across the state. The James Watrous Gallery celebrates contemporary Wisconsin artists, while Wisconsin People & Ideas magazine explores the intersections of science, culture, and the humanities. The Climate and Energy Initiative advances pathways to a sustainable future, and public talks foster meaningful connections among engaged and inquisitive people. The Academy also honors excellence through the Fiction & Poetry Awards and Fellows Awards, supports the Wisconsin Poet Laureate, and nurtures ideas and conversations that shape a better future for Wisconsin.
