Bikers on John Nolen for Ride the Drive.
City of Madison

Committee Seeks Artists for Madison LakeWay Public Art Project

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The Madison LakeWay Public Art Selection Committee and the Madison Arts Commission are now accepting applications from artists, artist teams, and artist led companies to provide site-specific artwork as part of the Madison LakeWay project.

The deadline to submit an application is 2:00pm on Thursday, April 16, 2026. 

The Madison LakeWay is a visionary, inclusive, and environmentally focused master plan created through a robust community engagement process. The plan, previously known as the Lake Monona Waterfront, covers 1.7 miles of shoreline and 17 acres of Madison's foremost public lakefront. 

The first phase of master plan implementation includes bicycle, pedestrian, and shoreline improvements along the John Nolen Drive Causeway, spanning from Olin Park to North Shore Drive. The LakeWay will transform this length of lakeshore into a beautiful, activity-rich signature park that embodies the character and values of the city.  

Lake Monona Skyline Graphic

The first phase of the project, the SkyLine, encompasses multiple sites along the causeway that offer dynamic opportunities for public art. The locations are adjacent to and integrated with the bicycle and pedestrian path system, offering viewpoints where people can take in the breathtaking expanse of Lake Monona and the Madison skyline.  

The Ad Hoc Madison LakeWay Public Art Selection Committee will recommend one or multiple artists, artist teams, or arts companies to receive the commission. The selected artist, artist team, or arts company will work with the Ad Hoc Madison LakeWay Public Art Selection Committee, Madison Arts Commission, Madison Parks and various other City departments, and stakeholders to develop the project. Once the design of the public art project is final, the Madison LakeWay Partners, a private, non-profit advocacy group focused on promoting and developing the Lake Monona lakeshore as a signature civic park, will raise funds to complete the project. 

We are thrilled to invite public artists to submit their qualifications for an ambitious new project to reshape the Lake Monona shoreline. Public art along Madison's LakeWay SkyLine will be more than visual enrichment, it can be a catalyst for community identity, dialogue, and pride. It has the power to transform our connections to the lake, reflect our community's character, and echo the diverse stories, histories, and ecologies of Lake Monona's shoreline.

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Brenda Baker, Madison LakeWay Public Art Selection Committee Chair

Review Process

Phase 1 of the Request for Qualifications is now open and closes at 2:00pm on April 16, 2026. Applicants only need to provide information about their public art experience and past projects at this time. 

The Ad Hoc Committee will review applications and propose three to five finalists to advance to design creation in mid-May. During Phase II, the finalists will prepare site-specific design proposals. They will also have the opportunity to connect with stakeholders and community members as they develop their projects. 

In October 2026, the Committee will review the proposals and make their recommendations. 

Links and Additional Information

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