News
Why We Still Need Wonder: A Conversation with Jeanette Andrews
Part one of a two-part interview with Jeanette Andrews.
Witness the magic for yourself at An Evening with Jeanette Andrews on Nov. 10.
Chicago is a Magic City
“Chicago is the birthplace of close-up magic, and has long been a hub for magicians, magic shops, and the invention of magic tricks.”
An exploration of the ideas and work of magician Jeanette Andrews, performing at the HCL Fall Benefit on Nov. 10.
A Magician’s Guide to Storytelling & Attention
Are you paying close attention?
An exploration of the ideas and work of magician Jeanette Andrews, performing at the HCL Fall Benefit on Nov. 10.
Magician Jeanette Andrews Unpacks the Art of Deception
Part one of a two-part interview with Jeanette Andrews.
Witness the magic for yourself at An Evening with Jeanette Andrews on Nov. 10.
High Concept Labs Welcomes New Executive Director
High Concept Labs (HCL), a Chicago-based arts service organization and artist incubator, announced today the appointment of Elise Butterfield as Executive Director.
Magic as a Crime Scene: The World of Illusion According to Jeanette Andrews
What do we mean when we say magic?
For artist and magician Jeanette Andrews, magic is more than a series of tricks shrouded in showmanship and dazzle. She likes to think of magic like the German magician Topas— as a crime scene.
Chicago Performance Community Survey Report
The Chicago Performance Community Survey Survey Report is a summary of the data and commentary collected from 93 artists including dancers, theater artists, musicians, creative producers, art educators, performance artists and more–including many working experimentally and across disciplines.
This was a quick check-in of local artists in response to recent and ongoing shifts and losses within Chicago’s performance ecosystem. We’re now ready to share what we learned!
HCL Transformed How I See Myself in a Changing Arts Ecosystem
During an age in our country and in our city when we need to be able to imagine a better future, the arts are essential. I have witnessed this firsthand as an intern at High Concept Labs…
Defying Genre: HCL Explores the World of Experimental Art
What do the words “experimental” and “conceptual art” bring to mind? Perhaps you are thinking of a banana duct-taped to a wall, or Duchamp’s iconic urinal. For many, this sort of work feels defiant, overly intellectual, or elicits no response at all…
HCL to Depart Mana Contemporary
After eleven fruitful years at Mana Contemporary, HCL will be departing its Mana-based studio in May 2025.
HCL Strategic Plan Centers Visioning, Sustainability, Space, & Capacity
The exploration of High Concept Labs' future strategy began with engaging artists, audience members, supporters, and other stakeholders through a community survey, focus group, and a series of planning sessions that included members of the HCL staff, board, and Artistic Advisory Council. In these conversation with our community, we clarified the following core strengths of HCL…
HCL Announces 2025 Fellow Artists in Residence
HCL warmly welcomes and celebrates the 2025 HCL Fellow Artists in Residence:
Bradford Chin
Tirtza Even
Christopher Knowlton
Haruhi Kobayashi
Carissa Lee
HCL Announces $25,000 Cash Reserve Challenge
High Concept Labs announces a fundraising campaign to establish a board-designated cash reserve. These funds, dedicated to the long-term stability of the organization, will be an essential financial tool for the organization. This fundraising campaign follows the celebration of HCL’s 15th Anniversary, and is a crucial marker in the organization’s development.
Building Plans for our Future
We are 68% to our goal of raising $125,000 by December 31, 2024. We need your help to close the gap.
High Concept Labs & Unfolding Disability Futures Team Up to Present Art/Access Labs
High Concept Labs & Unfolding Disability Futures Team Up to Present Art/Access Labs