Let’s face it – there are times you want to take a break from campus. Take a short walk or bike ride to hundreds of restaurants and stores. Enjoy a beautiful sunset over one of the lakes. Warmer months provide an eclectic food truck culture. Attend a performance at the Overture Center for the Arts. See an art exhibition at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. Visit dozens of galleries during the biannual Gallery Night. Great music fills the city during Make Music Madison and Concerts on the Square. Spoken word has a long history in Madison, including Just Bust! (on campus) and The Moth.
There are over 30 theaters in town and numerous musical venues. There is even a dedicated space for circus artists, including aerialists, stilt walkers, and unicyclists. Numerous festivals both on campus and in the city take place throughout the year. Madison likes to embrace its eccentricity, particularly as a way to express yourself through the arts. Madison has a long history of sustainability and supporting local businesses and area farmers. We have one of the largest producer-only farmers’ markets in the nation.
Resources:
- Four Seasons in Madison
- Madison Visitor Info
- Arts + Literature Laboratory
- Barrymore Theatre
- Bartell Theatre
- The Bubbler @ Madison Public Library
- Greater Madison Jazz Consortium
- Madison Circus Space
- Madison Public Library
- Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
- Madison Theatre
- Majestic Theatre
- The Orpheum Theater
- Overture Center for Arts
- The Sylvee
After spending a year at Madison, I’ve come to find this city as my home. I adore the art, the opportunities, and the people.
– Megan Jain, BFA Art and BS Zoology, 2017
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