The Flow Project pairs undergraduate student artists in the University of Wisconsin system with water professionals from across the state to create art inspired by water.
Applications are closed for the 2026 Flow Project cohort.
Click on an image below to see artwork from a previous year of the Flow Project.
Our Mission is to:
- Inspire and guide emerging artists/creatives to pursue artistic work that nourishes a culture that values and celebrates water.
- Recognize artists/creatives as cultural practitioners whose work informs, critiques, and celebrates the work done on behalf of waterways
- Facilitate learning and sharing between water professionals and artists/creatives to create collaborations across disciplines which expands our perspectives and strengthens our work
A brief history of the project:
In 2021, Water@UW-Madison Project Assistant Alexandra Lakind partnered with undergraduate student Julia Buskirk to design an opportunity to support artist and water-interested undergraduates, water researchers, and the wider public. With funding from an Undergraduate Humanities Exchange Scholarship through the UW-Madison Center for the Humanities, they designed a micro-grant pairing undergraduate artists with water researchers to create a piece of artwork that would be shared outward. The program expanded over the next few years to be statewide under various scholarship and volunteer models.
Now, the Flow project is the creative and logistic responsibility of three coordinators working across institutions to implement the Flow Project each year. The lead coordinator is Water@UW-Madison, with additional support from UW-Stevens Point Extension Lakes Program, the College of Science, Engineering and Technology at UW-Green Bay, and the Art Department of UW-Eau Claire.
Q: Who is a “creative” ?
A: We are looking for undergraduate students who create art of any form. We encourage all types of artists or creatives to apply. Some examples of creatives include musicians, costume designers, creative writers, painters, dancers, make-up artists, digital artists, jewelers, photographers, textile artists, game designers and so on. Since many creatives shy away from calling themselves an “artist”, we hope to encourage a broader range of creators to apply.
Q: Who is eligible?
A: Undergraduate students at any of the 13 UW schools are eligible to apply. Creatives do not need to be a part of an arts program, but do need to have a portfolio. Creatives must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. At this time, high schoolers who are dual enrolled are not eligible.
Q: What requirements does the portfolio have?
A: We are looking for 3-5 examples of your “best” work. These examples do not have to be of the same medium or theme. We recommend submitting high-quality images or documents and only completed works. You may also share your website or social media accounts to show us more of your work.
Q: Is there a stipend/scholarship for selected creatives?
A: Yes. The total amount depends on which scholarship the artist receives. However, our goal is to give each creative at least $300 to cover costs of materials and shipping. Creatives retain any leftover money. We recognize that this amount may not cover the cost of the time invested in creating the final result.
Q: What time commitment does this project require?
A: Previous artists reported spending between 25-125 hours on this project. From an administrative standpoint, creatives are expected to meet with the Flow Coordinator once a month (Dec-Mar) for 30 minutes, and with their water professionals at least once a month (Dec-Mar) for 30 minutes. The Flow Coordinator also offers three 1-hour long workshops (in-person and online) to support creatives’ professional development and understanding of the logistics of this project. The additional time invested depends on the individual’s creative process and nature of their artwork.
Q: How are creatives chosen?
A: Strong applications have thoughtful and intentional responses to the long answer prompts and a strong portfolio. We try to curate a diverse cohort in mediums, themes, and styles. We also give preference to first-time participants. We strive to have at least one creative from each of the 13 UW campuses. We have limited funding and unfortunately can not accept all applicants.
Q: What are the creative’s responsibilities in this program?
A: Creatives are required to submit a completed final piece by March 30, 2026. Creatives will be responsible for the quality of their participation in the program, which includes: setting up and preparing for collaborative meetings, building collaborative relationships, and investing time into creating their piece. Creatives will work with their water professional to formulate artistic concepts about the water professional’s work. This relationship should not be commission/client based, but rather collaborative.
Creatives will work with the Flow coordinator to prepare their piece for exhibition, and will submit a final short bio and artist statement. Creatives are strongly encouraged to attend the evening gallery opening event at the Lakes and Rivers Convention in Stevens Point on April 15, 2026.
Q: Will our art be displayed?
A: Yes! There will be several opportunities for your art to be shared with the public. The debut gallery will be April 15, 2026 at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Stevens Point, with other potential gallery shows in Stevens Point, Madison, Eau Claire and Green Bay (Dates/Times TBA).
Q: What happens to the artwork after the galleries?
A: The artwork will be on permanent display in the online gallery. Artists retain full ownership of their piece. Previous artists have given their original work to their water professional, sold it to outside parties, and donated it to the Flow Project for future use.
Q: Who is a water professional?
A: We define water professional as graduate students, faculty, and other professionals in water-related fields. Our affiliate page is a good example of the range of topics water work may encompass.
Q: What water professionals are eligible to participate in this program?
A: We focus on Wisconsin-based water professionals. However, water professionals may share their non-Wisconsin-based experiences or research.
Q: What are the responsibilities/time commitment of the water professional?
A: The water professional will meet at least once a month (Dec-Mar) with their artist/creative. The two are responsible for scheduling and creating agendas for their meetings. Water professionals are asked to share their water work in a way that is comprehensible and, hopefully, inspiring with their artist/creative. The level to which the water professional is involved in the ideation and creation of the final artwork varies. It is the responsibility of the pair to define their roles for their specific project. Water professionals are strongly encouraged to attend the evening gallery opening event at the Welcome Reception of the Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers Convention at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Stevens Point on April 15, 2026.
Q: Can I use the final artwork in my professional work?
A: It depends. This project is not intended to commission specific artworks or graphics for the water professional. The approach to this project should not be as a client, but as a collaborator. If the final outcome is something you would like to use in your outreach, communications, etc. then you must ask the artist/creative for permission.
Q: How are water professionals chosen to participate?
A: After the undergraduate artist/creative cohort is finalized, those students will receive a list of all interested water professionals and an executive summary or “pitch” of their water work (which you supply in your application). The artist/creatives will indicate the top 5 water professionals with which they would like to collaborate. From there, the Flow Project coordinator will create pairs taking preferences into account.
Q: How many times can I be a water professional in this program?
A: You can always apply! We will give priority to first time applicants, but the creative’s preferences heavily influence the final matches.
Flowing between art and science
FLOW WAS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH SUPPORT FROM
