Arts + Literature Laboratory is a community-driven contemporary arts center supporting the visual, literary, and performing arts through an active calendar of exhibitions, readings, concerts, and educational programs. We bring together resources, people, and space to empower artists and writers to take risks that transcend formal and conceptual boundaries. Our programs foster critical and imaginative dialogue towards equitable social transformation—actively challenging audiences while prioritizing accessibility and community responsiveness.
ALL’s 10,500 square foot space in Madison’s downtown Capitol East District houses galleries and performance space, a writing center and small press library, artist studios, and a dedicated education studio.
MISSION
To steward a community laboratory for creative experimentation, collaboration, and excellence in contemporary visual, literary, and performing arts.
VISION
A thriving creative culture where artistic labor is valued and all people can have meaningful experiences with the arts and literature of today.
VALUES
Accessibility
- ALL’s space and programs will be safe, inclusive, and accessible to all people
- ALL’s programs will strive to reach broad audiences without pandering or sacrificing complexity
Curiosity
- ALL supports creative experimentation in the pursuit of knowledge and meaning-making
- ALL believes in cultivating imagination and wonder in every aspect of our work
Ethics
- ALL is committed to the highest ethical standards of accountability, transparency, and responsibility in our conduct and use of resources
Equity
- ALL supports a multitude of artistic voices with a curatorial framework that prioritizes the inclusion of BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disabled, and women artists
- ALL believes that artistic labor has value that should be compensated so that artists can build sustainable practices, and seeks to provide compensation whenever possible
Excellence
- ALL supports rigorous, relevant, and high-quality artistic and literary practices, programs, and educational experiences
Free Expression
- ALL supports the free expression of ideas and upholds the principle of non-censorship
Generosity
- ALL believes in sharing our ideas, space, and resources with a spirit of openness and care
Gratitude
- ALL supports celebrations and rituals that honor our milestones and the people who make our work possible
Responsiveness
- ALL supports programs of international relevance that remain authentically grounded in the social concerns and desires of our local community
- ALL believes in nimbly designing, facilitating and adapting programs to make meaningful, evolving connections with our community members’ cultures, languages, and life experiences
Solidarity
- ALL believes artists and writers of all kinds have common interests and benefit from one another’s mutual support
ALL is a tax-exempt organization under section 501©(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.