Arts
Madison has a thriving arts community that continues to evolve over time. With a handful of recognized museums and performing arts venues plus many independent arts galleries and an active music scene, Madison provides a mix of established and alternative arts culture. The mainstream museums are: the University of Wisconsin’s Chazen Museum of Art, the Wisconsin Historical Museum, the Wisconsin Veteran’s Museum, the Madison’s Children’s Museum and the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. As well, Overture Center and Gerald Bartell Community Theatre host a variety of performing arts events. Performances by Madison Repertory Theatre, Madison Ballet and Madison Opera can be enjoyed at Overture Center. Bartell Theatre is the venue of choice for many of Madison’s smaller theatre companies, including Madison Theatre Guild, Mercury Players Theatre and MadCAP.
Madison’s music scene runs the gamut of styles, from traditional Irish music to American pop. Two long-running players in the local music scene are Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corp and the University of Wisconsin Badger Band. The Drum and Bugle Corp has arranged summer youth performances since the 1930s. Badger Band, one of the country’s most popular college marching bands, was established in 1885. Notably, the pop band Garbage is also based out of Madison.