New hours for writers and readers! Come visit us on the Ellen Kort Mezzanine, located on the second floor, to browse the library, read, write, scheme, or dream.
Library and Writing Center Hours:
Tuesday through Friday 10 AM to 5 PM
Saturdays 12 to 5 PM
The Literary Arts Team consists of members of the local literary community representing a range of genres and backgrounds. Our goals are to:
- Connect writers to necessary resources;
- Connect emerging and established writers to audiences;
- Expand and strengthen the writing community;
- Democratize access to the literary arts both as process and product; and
- Provide direct support for the work of writing.
We work toward these aims through our seven core programs: the Watershed Reading Series, Workshops, Write-Ins, Midwest Video Poetry Fest, the ALL Review, our smALL Press Library, and the Wisconsin Writers' Awards. We create a welcoming space for the visions of individual writers and artists’ communities, for literary performance, and for generative work.
The Watershed Reading Series
The Watershed Reading Series is Madison's longest-running monthly curated reading series. Find out who's reading next.
Writing Education
Learn from local and visiting authors. ALL offers a variety of education programs for all levels and genres, including classes, writing workshops, and talks.
Write-ins
Write-ins are one of ArtLitLab's core programs, providing writers with dedicated time for writing along with quiet companionship. Come write with us!
Midwest Video Poetry Fest
This emerging art form is adding to the rapidly growing audience for poetry in America. MVPF presents the work of local, national, and international poets and filmmakers.
smALL Press Library
The Ellen Kort Mezzanine at Arts + Literature Laboratory is home to Madison’s only small press lending library. Our collection consists mainly of poetry, but also includes fiction, nonfiction, and art books, and highlights Wisconsin authors.
ALL Review
Explore staff picks and reviews of works in our Small Press Library, interviews with writers, artists and musicians featured at ALL, original works, and other stories in the ALL Review.
Wisconsin Writers Awards
The Wisconsin Writers Awards have been sponsored by the Council for Wisconsin Writers (CWW) since 1964. The awards honor the best work in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and children's literature. Since 2022, Arts & Literature Laboratory has continued the work of CWW by sponsoring and administering the Wisconsin Writers Awards. The submission period for 2023 Awards is November 1, 2023 through January 31, 2024. Check back for more details and entry forms soon. For questions about the awards, please email ritamae@artlitlab.org.