Community Relations
Connecting Campus and the Community
From left to right, Kim Blair, senior director of development at the UW Foundation; Desiree Bates, co-lead on the UW Bridge to the Chemistry Doctorate Program, and UW computational chemist; Shannon Brown, UW graduate student and Bridge Fellow; and Candace Patterson, South Madison Partnership coordinator work on a mural on the wall of the Kids Classroom designed by Madison-based artist Lilada Gee at the UW South Madison Partnership on South Park Street in Madison, Wisconsin on Aug. 18, 2022. The mural painting project was developed in collaboration with UW South Madison Partnership staff, the paint company PPG’s Colorful Communities program, and campus partners. The murals reflect Gee’s bold and colorful style and are designed to inspire the community and families that use the location for programming. (Photo by Althea Dotzour / UW–Madison)

South Madison Partnership

The UW South Madison Partnership (UWSMP) is a UW–Madison initiative designed to meet the South Madison community’s needs and foster mutually beneficial relationships.

Located in The Village on Park, the space recently underwent an expansion and encourages engagement between community members and UW–Madison in accessible and meaningful ways. The new space, completed in summer 2020, now has five private offices, eight classrooms, co-working spaces, three conference rooms, a kitchenette and an open gathering space to better support current and future growth as an important community resource.

Take a virtual look at our space.

The expansion project allows more community members, researchers and students to facilitate joint projects. Along with increased programming, there will also be new opportunities for partnerships with both campus and community organizations.

UWSMP partners with 22 community organizations and works with campus partners across eight schools and colleges, five divisions and two institutes, in addition to the Division of Extension. Programming at the UWSMP includes the UW Odyssey Project, which offers a free humanities course for adult students facing economic barriers to college, and the Neighborhood Law Clinic, which provides a range of legal and advocacy services to low-income community members.

Room reservations now available!

Current UWSMP programs and partners can use our online reservation system for requests. New and interested groups can contact us for more information. Find out more.

Get UWSMP Updates

Sign up to receive the latest news from UW–Madison Community Relations and the UW South Madison Partnership.


The Village on Park

2238 South Park Street (map)
Madison, WI 53713

608-265-4940
UWSMP@wisc.edu

Follow us on social (@UWSMP):

 

“(The South Madison Partnership) brings the Wisconsin Idea into the community in a very comfortable and welcoming way.”

Fabu Carter, Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center

News & Updates

UW expands South Madison Partnership space

In 2022, the UW South Madison Partnership celebrated the opening of its expanded space, which more than quadrupled its footprint from 3,015 square feet to 12,902. The larger space better connects UW–Madison with an area of the city whose residents historically have had less access to university programs and resources.

A hub for community connection in South Madison

The South Madison community makes frequent use of the UW South Madison Partnership, a true nexus of activity and connection. In 2023, the space averaged more than 1,100 visitors each month. Alongside university groups, more than 55 community partners have held a variety of events, projects and activities in the building: tax clinics, exercise groups, parental support organizations, book and writing clubs and more.

SMP celebrates 10 years of connecting university, community

On July 26, 2025, the UW South Madison Partnership celebrated 10 years of community-university collaboration. Speakers at the reception told the story of past and present UW–Madison and community leaders who laid the groundwork for today’s successful partnership. The anniversary celebration was held concurrently with the Urban League of Greater Madison’s 11th annual Unity Picnic.