First Wave Scholarship Overview

Administered by the Office of Multicultural Arts Initiatives (OMAI), the First Wave Hip Hop & Urban Arts Program is the first program in the nation to offer a full-tuition, four-year scholarship centered specifically on Hip Hop culture and artistic practice.

Scholars can major in any field at UW-Madison. At the same time, they continue to develop as artists and leaders within a creative community, committed to growth in the three pillars of OMAI: academics, arts, and activism.

OMAI accepts scholars into the First Wave Program in cohorts of 15 students. With the support of affiliated faculty, staff, and professional artists, First Wave students:

develop their craft as part of a high-level artistic community

pursue their academic and career goals by studying fields that merge their professional development with their artistic interests

engage the community in creative service-learning projects that combine multicultural arts and activism

showcase their talents around the campus, city, country and globe by presenting at conferences, traveling in the First Wave Touring Ensemble, teaching workshops in schools and communities, performing at high-level events, and more

The First Wave Program has a four-year curriculum designed to immerse students in a creative community while propelling them towards their academic and professional goals. While each year’s experience is described below, there are four (4) bottomline requirements for First Wave scholars to remain in good standing with the program throughout their time at UW-Madison:

Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0

Maintain status as a full-time student at UW-Madison (enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits each semester)

Attend monthly First Wave All-Cohort meetings (2 hours per month) and other occasional events identified in the First Wave Program Calendar each year (e.g. annual First Wave All-Cohort Retreat)

Beginning the sophomore year, submit one project per year that aligns with the academic interests of the scholar and incorporates each pillar of OMAI: academics, arts, and activism.

If you have any questions please email OMAI.Staff@wisc.edu with your name, question, and contact information.

First Wave Freshman Summer

First Wave first-year scholars get a head start on their UW-Madison careers by taking part in the Summer Collegiate Experience (SCE), a six-week residential summer bridge program designed to help incoming students make a successful transition to college. Participants attend collegiate academic courses during the summer session and they meet with First Wave artistic mentors to get a head-start on developing their craft. They also get to meet a great group of fellow incoming students, get adjusted to the college academic and social environment, and enjoy fun trips and cultural activities. The cost of tuition, books, and room and board in a residence hall is covered for all participants.

PLEASE NOTE: Participation in SCE is a requirement of acceptance into the First Wave Scholarship Program. Failure to attend SCE may result in the revocation of your scholarship offer.

First Wave Freshman Year

Once on campus in the fall, First Wave scholars are supported by affiliated faculty and advisors to take courses that nurture and challenge their creativity to its fullest potential. Scholars select their own majors based on personal interests and long-term goals, while also enrolled in courses designed specifically for the First Wave community.

First Wave scholars live together in The Studio Creative Arts Learning Community in Sellery Residence Hall (a building that was newly renovated in 2023!), fostering a distinctive, supportive environment that encourages academic, social, and artistic growth. Study sessions and open mics often take place right in the residence halls, helping scholars stay connected and inspired.

Beyond the classroom, scholars participate in monthly gatherings that bring together different First Wave cohorts to share dinner, build community, and exchange ideas across generations of the program. They also take part in regular professional development workshops hosted by OMAI, designed around the program’s three pillars — Academics, Arts, and Activism — which provide opportunities to strengthen creative practice, leadership, and social engagement.

Each scholar is also enrolled in a First Wave First-Year Interest Group (FIG)—a cluster of linked courses that offer an intimate educational experience and direct, substantive contact with UW–Madison faculty. These courses include three (3) courses in the Fall semester: First Wave Creative Lab (2 credits), First Wave Foundations (1 credit), and The Studio Seminar (1 credit). First-year scholars will also enroll in two (2) courses in the Spring semester: First Wave Creative Lab (2 credits) and First Wave Foundations (1 credit).

Lastly, each Spring, first-year First Wave scholars perform as a cohort ensemble in the Office of Multicultural Arts Initiative’s annual Line Breaks Festival. The interdisciplinary collaborative work created by the cohort is developed through the “First Wave Creative Lab” courses in both the Fall and Spring semesters.

First Wave Sophomore Year

The second year of the First Wave Program does not require any courses, but instead encourages First Wave scholars to begin exploring how the pillars of Academics, Arts and Activism can be interwoven throughout their academic, artistic and professional development. These projects (known as the AAA Projects) are due every year through graduation, beginning the sophomore year.

Sophomores have the opportunity to participate in more local, regional, national, and international traveling as part of the First Wave Touring Ensemble.

First Wave Junior Year

Students are encouraged to study abroad, which provides the students with an international experience and deep immersion into language fluency. Each year, First Wave scholars study abroad in a multitude of countries. Our scholars maintain blogs about their experiences and stay in close touch with their fellow First Wavers studying in Madison. First Wave Scholars have traveled to Australia, Portugal, Brazil, England, France, Japan, China and Ghana, to name just a few destinations. Scholars are also required to complete a collaborative project that captures the heart of the Office of Multicultural Arts Initiatives’ three pillars, Academics, Arts, and Activism.

First Wave Senior Year

The First Wave senior year is characterized by a capstone AAA Project, as well as in-depth career advising and portfolio development that will provide First Wave graduates with the tools to be successful in their career paths beyond their time at UW-Madison.