2026-2027 Bubbler Artist Form Information Page

For 2026-2027 The Bubbler at Madison Public Library is piloting a general artist form. This form will be open at all times and will take the place of more specific artist calls for these years. Any artists interested in working with the library during this timeframe should fill out this form related to residencies, exhibitions, workshops, and all other art projects.

Opportunities (Short Description)

Central Library Exhibitions

• Central Library Exhibitions happen in the 3rd Floor Diane Endres Ballweg Gallery. We typically have 2-3 exhibitions per year.

• You can read a longer description of the Central Library Exhibitions opportunity at this link: Read about Central Library Exhibitions

Neighborhood Library Exhibitions

• Neighborhood Library Exhibitions happen throughout our neighborhood libraries. These exhibitions tend to be 3-4 months long but can be longer or shorter depending on each library and their focus and staffing capacity.

• You can read a longer description of the Neighborhood Library Exhibitions opportunity at this link: Read About Neighborhood Library Exhibitions

Central Library Residency

• Central Library Residencies happen in the Bubbler Room at Central Library. They are usually 4 months to one year in length.

• You can read a longer description of the Central Library Residency opportunity at this link: Read About Central Library Residencies

Pinney Studio Residency

• Pinney Studio Residencies happen in the Pinney Studio at Pinney Library . They are usually 6 - 9 months in length.

• If you would like to be considered for the 2026 Pinney Studio Residency please fill out the form by the end of February 2026.

• You can read a longer description of the Pinney Studio Residency opportunity at this link: Read About Pinney Studio Residencies

Summer We-Read Artist Residency

• The Summer We-Read Artist Residency program happens at our 9 libraries each summer. This residency focuses on hands on learning and programming for youth through art workshops and activities.

• If you would like to be considered for 2026 Summer We Read Youth Artist Residency please fill out the form by the end of April 2026.

• You can read a longer description of the Summer We-Read Artist Residency opportunity at this link: Read About Summer We-Read Artist Residencies

Imagination Center at Reindahl Park Projects

• The new Imagination Center at Reindahl Park will open in the Fall of 2026!

• The Imagination Center will have space for exhibitions, workshops, and a new Project wall focused on interactive community projects.

• You can read a longer description of The Imagination Center at Reindahl Park Project opportunities at this link: Read About The Imagination Center at Reindahl Park Project Opportunities

Central Library Youth Field Trip Artist

• We have lots of youth field trips to Central Library and many of them are interested in working with an artist as part of their visit.

• You can read a longer description of the Central Library youth field trip artist opportunity at this link: Read About Central Library youth field trip Artists

Teaching a workshop or workshop series

• We do art workshops at multiple library locations and also out in the community with partner organizations.

• You can read a longer description about the teaching a workshop or workshop series opportunity at this link: Read About Teaching Workshops

Other Art Projects

• We have done many other pop-up projects, murals, site-specific installations, etc in our libraries and in our community. If you have a project that does not fit in any of the other opportunitues listed then it is an Other Art Project.

• You can read a longer description of the other art projects opportunity at this link: Read About Other Art Projects

Selection and Prioritization:

Selection for artist opportunities is made by library staff in relation to the following priorities along with staffing capacity.

• Working with emerging visual artists and curators

• Providing local artists (Wisconsin-based) with paid opportunities

• Elevating artists who reflect our diverse communities

• Encouraging artists to speak and create from their own experiences through community engagement

• Facilitating intentional engagement between exhibiting artist(s) and community partners

• Welcoming collective artistic efforts and emerging curators who develop exhibits with community groups

• Exhibiting work that draws people in, stimulates inquiry, and broadens horizons

Communication
We will contact you directly during 2026-2027 if we are interested in working with you in relation to your proposal. Since this is a rolling application artists could be contacted a year or more after the application is submitted. We get a lot of artist proposals so unfortunately cannot work with every artist that applies and cannot respond with feedback about applications.

You are welcome to check in with Bubbler Program Coordinator (Trent Miller) via email tmiller@madisonpubliclibrary.org at any time with questions.