From the Director

Sharon Vanorny

Every election, my parents would joke about how their votes would cancel each other’s out. They agreed to disagree and there were some topics my parents did not debate. However, when my siblings and I became teens, no topic was off the table and our political debates raged long into the night—sometimes they still do. To put it mildly, political and cultural divides run deep in my family. So too, in our state. So too, in our country.

Democracy is not for the faint of heart. We learn this each furious election cycle. Our deeply held opinions rise and collide, our appreciation of other perspectives dims. Every time we see that so much is at stake. Even as we share concern about top priorities, we disagree on facts. We have moved from the Age of Information to the Age of Disinformation. In this “post-truth world” the lines are etched deeply between us.

Through all this, the Academy serves as a nonpartisan convener, a calm place for shared explorations and experiences, amplifying the extraordinary and serving as a touchstone for what connects us. Across Wisconsin, we have stood in wonder under the night sky, were collectively awe struck by images from the James Webb Telescope. We have marveled and been moved by artwork that we encounter in public but which feels personal. We have learned and gained insight from writers who have honed their craft to adeptly reveal nuance and inspire deeper understanding.

For 150 years, the Academy has weathered storms with the people of Wisconsin, remaining reliable and relevant. As we recover from debates and disagreement, I’m glad we are meeting here under the umbrella of sciences, arts, and letters, where there is room for us all.

Erika Monroe-Kane, Executive Director

News for Members

JAMES WATROUS GALLERY

Call for artists: applications from artists interested in exhibiting at the gallery will be accepted December to March. We welcome proposals from guest curators as well as individual artists. Those selected by the jury will be invited to exhibit or curate within the next several years, with the earliest exhibition opening in late 2023.

CLIMATE & ENERGY CONFERENCE

Thanks to all who attended Climate Fast Forward 2022 in October. The conference was a resounding success, bringing together people from across the state to take stock of the progress Wisconsin has made towards mitigating and adapting to climate change and to continue working together on climate change.

FICTION AND POETRY CONTESTS

Call for writers: our annual Fiction and Poetry Contests for Wisconsin writers open January 15, 2023. Final judges: Debra Monroe (fiction) and Nikki Wallschlaeger (poetry). Winners receive cash prizes and publication in Wisconsin People & Ideas.

NEW STAFF

The Academy is pleased to introduce new staff members: Ursa Anderson, Exhibitions and Outreach Coordinator for the James Watrous Gallery; Madison Buening, Donor Relations and Stewardship Coordinator; Yong Cheng Yang, Visitor Services Associate for the James Watrous Gallery.

JOIN THE FULL CIRCLE SOCIETY

The Full Circle Society helps to create a better world inspired by Wisconsin ideas. Join this group of amazing people in making an important investment for future generations by adding the Wisconsin Academy to your will or estate plan or by another type of planned gift. Contact Zack Robbins, zrobbins@wisconsinacademy.org

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

We want to hear from you. Send your feedback and comments about Wisconsin People & Ideas and other Academy programs to cchambers@ wisconsinacademy.org

FELLOW IN THE NEWS

On August 12, Academy Fellow Dipesh Navsaria was named to the National Museum and Library Services Board. Dr. Navsaria has graduate degrees in public health, children’s librarianship, physician assistant studies, and medicine, and brings a broad perspective to children’s health and well-being, and to the world of libraries. He is an associate professor of pediatrics at the School of Medicine and Public Health, and clinical associate professor of Human Development and Family Studies at the School of Human Ecology at UW–Madison. He has practiced primary care pediatrics in a variety of settings, particularly in underserved populations. He works with Reach Out and Read, an early literacy program, and researches early brain and child development, looking at the neurobiological effects of adversity and poverty on the developing brain towards helping educate people who work with children and families on concepts of social policy and how those policies can affect the cognitive and socioemotional development of children.

Dr. Navsaria was one of 11 new members appointed to serve a 5-year term on the National Museum and Library Services Board, and one of 2 appointees from Wisconsin. Amy Gilman, director of the Chazen Museum of Art in Madison, was also appointed to the board. The National Museum and Library Services Board advises on general policies with respect to the duties, powers, and authority of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) relating to museum, library, and information services. The board is also involved in the annual selection of National Medal for Museum and Library Service recipients. Dr. Navsaria gave a COVID 2 Years On talk for the Academy, “Considering COVID, Children, and Community,” which can be viewed on the Wisconsin Academy website.