The Olbrich Botanical Gardens GLEAM 2026 edition is accepting installation proposals

The internationally recognized Olbrich Botanical Gardens is seeking proposals for large-scale, light-based artworks for GLEAM: Art in a New Light, a public art exhibition in Madison, Wisconsin (WI), United States. The 2026 edition of GLEAM will feature light-based artworks that create immersive environments, encourage playful interaction, and illuminate creatures both real and imagined. The exhibition will be open to the public from August 29 to October 24, 2026. Submitted artwork proposals must use light as the primary element and be of sufficient scale to enhance Olbrich’s 16-acre gardens or 10,000 sq ft conservatory. Interactive installations should be durable for high use (30,000+ interactions) and designed to accommodate hundreds of participants simultaneously, ensuring smooth visitor flow. Olbrich Botanical Gardens is accepting proposals with budgets ranging from $5,000 to $30,000, and the 2026 GLEAM exhibition is expected to showcase 9 to 11 light-based artworks.

The exhibition is organized by Olbrich Botanical Gardens, founded in 1952, with a mission to connect people with plants, inspire a love for the natural world, and promote environmental stewardship through education, horticulture, and art. 
In 2015, the GLEAM exhibition was established and curated to highlight the Gardens’ natural beauty after dark, enrich Madison’s public art scene within a distinctive outdoor environment, and provide engaging programming designed to attract diverse audiences and future supporters. Through initiatives like GLEAM, Olbrich aims to make art and nature accessible to all while fostering community engagement.