Project bridging art, nature and community receives Interdisciplinary Research Grant from Chapman Center

A unique partnership that bridges arts and sciences is receiving the 2026 Interdisciplinary Research Grant from the Chapman Center for Rural Studies, a center of excellence in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Through the project, titled "Nature Collab: Rural Experience Project," the award recipients, Kevin Bernstein, executive director of Nature Collab and associate professor in the Department of Art; Brian McCornack, department head and professor in the Department of Entomology; and Nancy Morrow, Master of Fine Arts program director and associate professor in the Department of Art, will explore the deep connections among biological and earth sciences, art and community involvement.

Since its launch in early 2023, Nature Collab has served as a creative hub in Willard Hall, where a growing collection of natural specimens and scientific models helps students and researchers bridge gaps across fields of study. This new grant-funded project aims to take that work even further by using art to make complex ecological challenges more accessible and engaging for people across rural Kansas.

Community connection is at the heart of this work, and the team is planning several collaborative programs to bring these ideas to life. From the Junior Sketchapod summer camps for middle and high schoolers to new partnerships with the Maxwell Wildlife Refuge and K-State Research and Extension, the project uses art to foster learning in science, whether through experiential fieldwork, the development of visual guides or public exhibitions.

“This initiative grows from within communities — where art and creative practice are in dialogue with science and the natural world, sparking curiosity, deepening awareness, and connecting generations through a shared sense of place,” Bernstein said.

Science will additionally be used to inspire the creation of works of art. In McPherson County, the team will work with 4-H members and leaders on activities that blend geology with artistic expression, culminating in public exhibitions at local libraries that celebrate the region's unique character.

Digital outreach will also play a major role through a web-based tool designed to foster a sense of connection across Kansas’ 105 counties. Beyond the research itself, this grant prioritizes the next generation of scholars by offering scholarships to undergraduate students from various majors. These students will have the opportunity to lead field events and exhibitions and gain foundational experience in scientific illustration, museum practices and community advocacy. By learning to navigate the studio, lab and field study, these student researchers are preparing to become the innovative problem solvers Kansas rural communities need for the future.

The purpose of the interdisciplinary grant is to encourage faculty to work creatively and collaboratively with scholars outside their specializations to generate insights into the dynamics of rural life through partnerships with rural Kansas communities. Through these contributions, the center celebrates the rich legacies of life and culture in the Great Plains.

“This project brings campus resources to Kansans across the entire state, connecting students to their home through place-based learning,” said Mary Kohn, director of the Chapman Center. “What I think is most exciting about this project, though, is how truly interdisciplinary it is. By bridging art, science, and agriculture, Nature Collab has real potential to connect students with innovative career paths and creative inquiry.”

To learn more about the Chapman Center's annual Interdisciplinary Research Grant and previous recipients, visit the IRG webpage.

Information about the next round of grants will be available in fall 2026.

— Submitted by Laura Perez