Art on the Rooftop 2026 Sculpture Exhibition
Madison Arts Commission seeks 5 sculptures for Monona Terrace rooftop and terrace exhibition. $1,500-$2,600 compensation for selected artists.
The Madison Arts Commission invites artists to apply to the 2026 Art on the Rooftop exhibition at the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center. This is a free sculpture exhibition that showcases the rooftop gardens and positions the facility as a must-see Madison destination.
Monona Terrace and the Madison Arts Commission seek works that engage visitors and complement the organic architecture of Wright's curvilinear and glass-centric façade. The commission will select five sculptures total. Four sculptures will be exhibited on the William T. Evjue Rooftop Gardens from May through October 2026, with selected artists receiving $1,500 for loaning their work for six months. Additionally, one sculpture will be chosen for year-round exhibition on Olin Terrace from May 2026 through April 2027, with that artist receiving $2,600 for loaning the work for one year.
Proposed artworks must be original creations from the past five years, safe and appropriate for visitors of all ages, constructed of durable and safe components, and maintenance-free for the duration of the exhibition. Sculptures must be suitable for outdoor display in severe weather conditions including wind, rain, heat, snow, and frost. Weight must be under 200 pounds and easily lifted into raised garden beds. Artwork must be able to be attached to a 48-inch diameter concrete pad.
Submissions are due by 11:59 PM CST on March 5, 2026. Selected artists will be notified on March 23, 2026. Installation occurs May 4-7, 2026, with rooftop sculpture removal scheduled for November 2-5, 2026, and Olin Terrace removal for April 5-8, 2027.