October is Arts & Humanities Month in Wisconsin! We are grateful to the governor for this important proclamation and for recognizing that the arts and humanities are essential in providing context for the issues of our times.
The arts and humanities are powerful tools for collaborative, intergenerational, and cross-cultural learning. They aid in our healing as we build connections and understanding. Along with our partners at the Wisconsin Arts Board, we believe the arts and humanities are part of our collective future. We are here with you all in this journey!
→ Read the Proclamation!
Get involved!
Here are some events around the state that received funding from Wisconsin Humanities grants:
Scrap Yard - an exhibit, virtual experiences, workshops & events
On view October 8 - January 30 at Jewish Museum Milwaukee
The exhibit and related programs explore the more than 200-year history of scrappers. Discarded metals, rags, paper, and animal hides have provided economic opportunities for immigrants and native-born Americans who collected, stored, brokered, and sold them, including many Jewish scrappers, who made up seventy to ninety percent of the industry for at least half of the 20th century. Comprehensive virtual tours and creative workshops are available. Find information on the website.
Nicholas Black Elk: Walking the Good Red Road - A free virtual event
October 4, 10AM and 6:30 PM online
Join the Siena Retreat Center for an online presentation about Heȟáka Sápa, commonly known as Black Elk. He was a medicine man of the Oglala Lakota people who was baptized as a Catholic, learned to read, and became a popular catechist who melded his indigenous traditions with those of Christianity. Explore the lessons and wisdom from Black Elk's legacy as a social commentator. You can register for the event here.
Box of Visions: Modern and Contemporary Art from Mexico in the Midwest - an exhibit & events
On view September 18 - January 23 at Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
This exhibition explores the history of the artistic renaissance in Mexico during the first half of the twentieth century and its connection to works being created by Mexican and Mexican-American artists working in the Midwest today. There are free in-person events associated with this exhibition, including a poetry event and all-ages workshop.
She fights for the Motherland: Rewriting the History of Soviet Women in World War II - a live performance
October 14 at 7PM at Madison Public Library
Fermat's Last Theater Company presents "She Fights for the Motherland," a dramatic reading of excerpts from Svetlana Alexievich’s book The Unwomanly Face of War. This memoir, and the reading, contains the testimony of over 200 women and contains graphic descriptions of the horrific things done to humans in war. This free, live performance will be with actors and musicians in meeting room 302 of Madison's Central Library.
Makin' Cake - a live performance
October 8 at Milwaukee Rep Theatre
Makin’ Cake is written and performed by Dasha Kelly Hamilton, Wisconsin Poet Laureate and founder of Still Waters Collective. The one-woman performance features Kelly Hamilton cutting into a cake, revealing what its history and ingredients can teach us about race, class, and equity in America. The event includes delicious conversation after the show and cake for all.
Waking up White - A region-wide everybody reads and community events
Events through November presented by La Crosse Public Library
"Waking Up White and Finding Myself in the Story of Race" was written by Debby Irving and was selected as the regional read for the La Crosse area. There are many public presentations and book conversations focused on creating a more welcoming and inclusive multicultural community. All events are free and open to the public but registration is required.
