Create Mad historical awareness,
Build personal advocacy,
Expand cultural expression,
Engage in community activism.
Our Mission:
Center for Mad Culture challenges the medical model of "mental health" and "mental illness," instead offering a new way of looking at the human experiences and cultural contributions of madness.
To accomplish all this we offer art exhibitions, poetry readings, workshops, a mad/disability research library, and other opportunities. Come by and visit to learn more about what we offer!
Location and Hours
The Center for Mad Culture is located in the historic Fine Arts Building in downtown Chicago, one of the last buildings with manned elevators! We are located just two blocks south of the Art Institute of Chicago, walking distance to the lake, and near many other amenities.
410 S Michigan Ave, Suite 419
Chicago, IL 60605
Current Hours:
By appointment. Sadly, with a limited staff we are limited in our open hours, but we are happy to arrange a time if you use the contact form at the bottom of this page!
While we at the Center choose to challenge the use of "mental health" and "mental illness," we also recognize everyone's relationship to terminology is different. Please know that everyone is welcome at the Center and how one chooses to utilize terms to describe their experience is supported.
At the Gallery
Dust Beneath Snow
Dust Beneath Snow addresses errors and oddities within one’s perceptions of the world. These perceptions come from a neglectful relationship with the artist’s parents, a transitory relationship to both Korean and Chinese culture, and finding their own identity among states of confusion and stress. They find themselves compelled to attempt to arrange everything into a rigid formula that nests in a system, one that can be understood, if only to themselves. Disability has placed them in repeated attempts to comprehend, causing further distortions. Their artwork addresses these errors, highlighting undefinable dissociative feelings and allowing space to be confused. Displaced objects offer us our own chance to feel disconnected, but simultaneously struggle to find continuity and purpose.
March 8th
thru
April 3oth
by appointment
Upcoming events and workshops
Mad Pride Month
Mad Book Group
Focusing on mad authors and subject matter, this group will explore how madness has changed the liteary landscape and challenged its assumptions and norms. Due to limitations of space participants will need to register forr the event on Eventbrite, though it is free to attend. You can find out what book we are reading and register by visiting our Instagram page!
Join us for a one-of-a-kind celebration of Mad Pride, where we honor the diverse experiences and perspectives within the spectrum of madness. This event is a platform for individuals to express themselves, share their stories, and celebrate the creativity and resilience that often emerges from the depths of lived experiences.
Event Highlights:
Art making: beginning at 1:00 and running until people fall to the floor with exhaustion.
Join us in making art, whether its zine making, a collaborative painting, or a silly art historical drawing game, there is a way for us all to uniquely express our madness and our pride.
Panel Discussion: Beginning at 3:00pm and running about 30-40 minutes
Engage in a stimulating dialogue between local author Matt Perry and local activist TJ Gordon Jr. The two will examine themes of advocacy and activism, as well as neurodivergence and madness. Listen in and discover ways to promote acceptance and understanding within our communities.
Open Mic: Following the panel discussion and going until voices run out
Step up to the mic and share your voice with the world. Whether it's poetry, music, storytelling, or stand-up comedy, the stage is yours to express yourself freely and authentically. Let your creativity flow as you celebrate the beauty of individuality and the power of self-expressed madness.
Community Resources:
Browse through an array of resources provided by local organizations and support groups. These resources are dedicated to helping us each support the varied needs of our communities. Learn about available services, find support networks, and discover ways to get involved in advocacy efforts.
Admission:
This event is free and open to all.
Disability access notes:
The building and space are wheelchair accessible, though parking in the area may be limited. There is a disability parking spot on Van Buren St, the corner just north of the building, but it is first come first served. For other parking questions please email us!
Captioning services will be available on site. We use an AI generated captioning app called Ava. We have this available and will project it during the event, but you may also download the app and join our conversation for free, utilizing your device at your convenience.
We hope to pack the building for these events, so invite anyone you know who may want to come along! Everyone is welcome!
May 4th
1:00-5:00 pm
Help support our mission, please follow this link to make donations today!
The Center for Mad Culture is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions for the charitable purposes of The Center for Mad Culture must be made payable to “Fractured Atlas” only and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Disability Access
The Center for Mad Culture strives to keep its space accessible to all visitors, please contact us if there are any access questions.
The exterior doors to the Fine Arts Building can be heavy for some folx, if you contact us ahead of your visit we will be sure to meet you out front. Otherwise, The Center for Mad Culture is accessible to wheelchair users, this includes the restrooms on our floor.
We offer captioning services at all times through the app Ava, which is free to use - we also have devices on site for your use with this app.
We offer audio desciption tours of all exhibitions upon request.
Any other access needs will be met to the best of our ability. Feel free to contact us using the form below so we can make sure your visit is one you look forward to.
CONTACT US
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