Illuminating Discovery is rooted in collaboration and the exchange of ideas. It’s about engaging in dialogue, embracing diverse perspectives, and building on one another’s insights to deepen our shared understanding. By fusing artistic expression with a scientific lens, we illuminate complex ideas in ways that are creative, accessible, and thought-provoking.

Housed within the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, the Illuminating Discovery Hub develops and produces a variety of programs and events that cultivate public trust, appreciation, and understanding of science. We harness the relationship between art and science to communicate both fundamental and complex scientific concepts, creating experiences that spark curiosity and meaningful engagement.

Check out out 2024-2025 impact report

Programs

Wisconsin Science Festival

Wisconsin Science Festival logo

Kohler Fellows

Kohler Fellows logo with Fibonacci sequence

John D. Wiley Gallery for Art in Science

circuit board background in blues

Crossroads of Ideas

Crossroads logo

Writer in Residence

line drawn hand

Science to Street Art

black hole painted on a cinderblock wall

SoundWaves

soundwaves logo

Indigenous Language Table

Indigenous Language table logo

Sci-prov

Catalysts for Science Policy

CaSP logo

The John D. Wiley Gallery for Art in Science

Now open during Discovery Building hours.

Woman in a white jacket with black skirt looks at an 8 foot tall metal helix

Help Foster Science-Art Fusion

Illuminating Discovery’s outreach is an extension of the Wisconsin Idea, whereas the boundaries of the university campus are the boundaries of the state (and beyond).