UW–Madison alumnus Paul Braker Prindle, director of the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMOCA), recently spoke with the Capital Times about his vision for the 2025 Wisconsin Triennial.

Baker Prindle, who earned his MFA from the School of Education’s Art Department, first participated in the Triennial as an artist in 2013. Now, as MMOCA’s head, he is drawing on that experience to help inform this year’s show, which opens May 2 and runs through the summer, featuring 24 artists and approximately 50 works.

When he stepped into his role last spring, Baker Prindle began work almost immediately:  “My charge was twofold,” he said. “One, let’s return to the Triennial model that everybody knows and loves, which is an open call. Everyone who wants to apply can apply, and we will look at least once at every single application.

“The other charge was that I wanted the Triennial to be work that speaks to right now. That’s a larger goal of mine, to grow the sense that the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art is a contemporary art museum.”

This year’s show includes a diverse range of artists, including several Indigenous artists. Among them are Art Professor Tom Jones, who makes photos of Ho-Chunk America. Other UW–Madison faculty showcasing their work in the exhibition include Leslie Smith III, John Hitchcock, Katie Hudnall, and Michael Velliquette.