News
Ryan Bourque, 2014
For press inquiries, please contact Missi Davis.
March 31, 2020
HCL welcomes Missi Davis as Managing Director
During this time of virus-related uncertainty, Missi Davis and HCL Artistic Director Yolanda Cesta Cursach Montilla will work together to adapt to the changing landscape, advancing HCL’s support of innovative artists and strengthening its community collaborations.
December 24, 2019
2019 End-of-year Dance Celebration
Ellen Chenoweth names Joanna Furnans’s “Doing Fine” and Zachary Whittenburg lists avery r. young and Dorothée Munyaneza at Poetry Foundation amongst their favorite dance performances of 2019
December 24, 2019
In Medias Res: Dorothée Munyaneza
A Review Dorothée Munyaneza’s Work in Progress at Experimental Station
August 9, 2019
HCL Announcing Fall 2019 Artists in Residence
Ten artists and ensembles to develop and share new work with the public
June 4, 2019
HCL Presents Art Jam: South Fork Edition
Evening of cutting-edge theater, dance and multidisciplinary performance presented in partnership with Co-Prosperity Sphere
May 21, 2019
HCL Announces Artists and Events for Summer 2019 Intensives
Nayeon Yang and Karen Christopher prepare unique performances and installations
April 17, 2019
HCL Announces Institutional Incubation Program Artists
Andy Slater, Matt Bodett, and Joanna Furnans selected for the development of fully realized works.
April 4, 2019
HCL Announces Spring 2019 Sponsored Artists
Six multidisciplinary performing artists selected to develop and share new work
March 20, 2019
HCL Welcomes new Director and Artistic Director as it celebrates 10-year Anniversary
Sharon Hoyer has joined as new director, and Yolanda Cesta Cursach Montilla has joined as artistic director
December 11, 2018
HCL kicks off 10th anniversary year with a Tuesday night residency at the Hideout
Alumni from HCL’s Sponsored Artist Program perform each Tuesday in January, 2019
November 6, 2018
HCL Announces Matt Bodett’s Lost Lost
Fall 2018 Sponsored Artist Matt Bodett explores mental health through Shakepear’s Hamlet, reinterpreted
September 25, 2018
HCL Expands Board to Deepen Community Arts Collaboration
Former head of marketing for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences joins growing board of Chicago-based artist incubator
September 14, 2018
High Concept Labs Announces Open House + Artist Showcase
The Sponsored Artists of HCL’s fall season present a showcase at Constellation on October 25, 2018
August 1, 2018
HCL announces Fall/Winter 2018-2019 Sponsored Artists
High Concept Labs welcome the Fall and Winter 2018-2019 lineup of its flagship Sponsored Artist Program (SAP) and recently launched Winter Intensives.
March 22, 2018
HCL Launches new Summer and Winter Intensive Programs
Summer and winter intensives provide no-cost studio space and services for artists developing new projects, installations, exhibitions and other creative work
March 13, 2018
High Concept Labs receives new Grants
Funding from the Illinois Arts Council Agency and Cliff Dwellers Foundation supports program
development
March 1, 2018
High Concept Labs announces Spring Open House at Constellation / Links Hall
Twice-yearly celebration of current and past Sponsored Artists on April 11th
January 23, 2018
First Artistic Director appointed at High Concept Labs
Billie Howard will be responsible for providing creative strategy, program planning, and implementation of HCL’s vision for artist experimentation and discovery across its portfolio of programs and services
January 16, 2018
High Concept Labs announces Spring 2018 Sponsored Artists
Eight local and national multidisciplinary artists to develop and share new work
January 3, 2018
New Board Members announced at High Concept Labs
Four new members have been appointed to HCL’s Board, strengthening the organization’s marketing, development and artistic planning
August 30, 2017
Celebrate High Concept Labs’ Fall Open House at Hairpin Arts Center
The bustling performance art party will include works-in-progress showings, films, installations, and music by artists from the organization’s past and presents
August 18, 2017
High Concept Labs releases 2016 Annual Report
A summary of the dancers, filmmakers, musicians, sound, and multimedia artists supported in 2016, as well as the myriad of events hosted in the spirit of the HCL mission
August 1, 2017
High Concept Labs announces new Sponsored Artists for Fall 2017
Eight artists and ensembles to develop and share new work with the public
May 5, 2017
Applications Open For Fall 2017 Sponsored Artist Program at High Concept Labs
Seven to ten individuals or ensembles will receive support from August 15 through December 15, 2017
April 26, 2017
High Concept Labs announces partnership with 3Arts
New collaboration connects artists supported through 3AP (3Arts Projects) to HCL’s Sponsored Artist Program
March 8, 2017
Unfurl your petals and let loose at High Concept Labs’ Spring Open House
Twice-yearly celebration of current and past Sponsored Artists on April 29th
February 22, 2017
Announcing High Concept Labs’ Spring 2017 Sponsored Artists
Eight artists and ensembles to develop and share new work
February 1, 2017
High Concept Labs announces new Appointments, Promotions, and Board Members
New appointments of Board and Staff strengthen the organization’s development and artistic planning
December 1, 2016
High Concept Labs seeks new Marketing + Communications Manager
New hire will join fast-growing arts incubator in Pilsen, Chicago
November 17, 2016
High Concept Labs expands board and staff
New members of Board and Development Staff broaden the organization’s expertise
October 18, 2016
Applications open for Spring 2017 Sponsored Artist Program at High Concept Labs
Ten individuals or ensembles will receive support from March 1 through June 30, 2017
October 13, 2016
Party with the people at the High Concept Labs 2016 Fall Open House
Biannual art party celebrates the work of the organization’s Sponsored Artists
August 11, 2016
Announcing High Concept Labs’ Fall 2016 Sponsored Artists
Ten artists and ensembles to develop and share new work with the public
August 8, 2016
High Concept Labs to receive funding from National Endowment for the Arts
Flagship Sponsored Artist Program honored with $10,000 in operating funds
May 31, 2016
Applications open for fall 2016 Sponsored Artist Program at High Concept Labs
Ten individuals or ensembles will receive support from September 1 through December 31, 2016
May 3, 2016
Celebrate spring with the High Concept Labs 2016 Open House
Biannual art party celebrates the work of the organization’s Sponsored Artists
April 29, 2016
Symposium to debate the merits of poetry and literature
Annual Cultural Conversation is sponsored by High Concept Labs, Northwestern University School of Professional Studies, and The Point Magazine
March 15, 2016
Queer Artists Mentorship Program Launches in Chicago
Pilot program funded by High Concept Labs
March 8, 2016
Announcing High Concept Labs’ Spring 2016 Sponsored Artists
Eleven artists and ensembles to develop and share new work with the public
February 17, 2016
An Evening of Black Endurance at Center on Halsted
‘Endurance Tests’ is presented by High Concept Labs and is part of the Limelight Series
January 4, 2016
“Rights Lab” to premiere at High Concept Labs this January
Civil rights web series by Scrappers Film Group and Truthout.org premieres January 16, 2016
December 1, 2015
Call for artists for spring 2016 Sponsorship
High Concept Labs accepting applications now through January 10, 2016
July 22, 2015
High Concept Labs appoints Steven Wang as first Executive Director
Appointment comes as organization celebrates the 5th Anniversary of its flagship Sponsored Artist Program
June 24, 2015
May 7, 2015
Call for artists for fall 2015 Sponsorship at High Concept Labs
High Concept Labs now accepting applications through June 15, 2015
May 7, 2015
Call for artists for fall 2015 themed sponsorship: Move / Remove // Place / Displace
Artist Sponsorship by High Concept Labs, the Borderbend Arts Collective, and Carlos & Dominguez Fine Arts Gallery
May 7, 2015
Call for artists for fall 2015 themed sponsorship in collaboration with IN>TIME16 Performance Festival
Performance Festival will showcase work in the Winter of 2016
April 13, 2015
Architect and composer to preview world premiere with Chicago opera company
Opera Cabal to present “HKGraft” preview and discussion on April 25, 2015, in partnership with High Concept Labs and hosted by Mana Contemporary Chicago
April 8, 2015
High Concept Labs and Chicago Dancemakers Forum partner on a public event about dramaturgy and contemporary dancemaking
“Cultural Conversations: Dance + Dramaturgy” to take place at Mana Contemporary Chicago on May 9 2015
March 11, 2015
High Concept Labs chosen to participate in Chicago Community Trust SMART Growth program
The Chicago Community Trust honors HCL with organizational development, grant support
February 19, 2015
Announcing High Concept Labs’ spring 2015 Sponsored Artists
Celebrating five years of HCL’s Sponsored Artist Program and inauguration of its 2015 honorees
From the Artists
Elise Cowen
{HCL’s} mission to offer free, personalized support to artists is unmatched in Chicago.
Ayako Kato
{HCL’s Spronsored Artists Program} reaches out and encourages the serious artists who are truthful to their passion and who committed to achieve further quality as professionals.
Joseph Kramer & Noe Cuellar
HCL is a welcoming, and truly special organization with a genuine understanding of the artist (their technical needs, their creative processes,) and of the audience (in public presentations and online.)
Majel Connery
I know of no other presenting organization in any major city in this country that provides the kind of access and flexibility, that cuts through red tape, and that is more consistently determined to say yes than HCL.
