HotHouse Information

HotHouse, The Center for International Performance and Exhibition, was founded in 1987 in Chicago to provide a unique forum for expression in the arts. Created primarily to host musical performances and other mediums such as spoken word, public discussions, film, dance and visual arts exhibitions, the ground-breaking non-profit organization showcases the work of innovative artists from all over the world, including those working outside the margins of the commercial market. HotHouse uses its collective resources to enfranchise community-based arts and culture, creating innovative festivals, events and multi-arts programs that respond to social issues in a broad way, instigating opportunities for international exchange and cross-cultural awareness. Over the years, luminary artists who’ve performed at HotHouse include Esperanza Spaulding, Gil Scott Heron, Hugh Masekela, Common, Baaba Maal, Los Van Van, Jorge Ben Jor, Mariza, Pink Martini and Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg. HotHouse presents a range of affordable, accessible multi-arts programs at venues around the region, while pursuing plans to build its third home. The vision for the new HotHouse is to be “a sanctuary for progressive culture” — continuing its mission of creating iconic spaces for cultural expression and international exchange. In its first two decades, HotHouse attracted more than 70,000 people to its programs annually. In 2014, HotHouse has presented 35 multi-arts events. Of HotHouse, The New York Times wrote, “Few clubs anywhere offer a wider range of first-rate world music, from wildly vibrant Afro-pop to avant-garde jazz than HotHouse.” A “Best of Chicago” award said that “From European avant-garde jazz acts that don’t even play in this hemisphere to performance art to world music to the city’s more esoteric acts, [HotHouse] has consistently pulled in some of the planet’s most innovative acts." HotHouse receives support from many foundations, individual and business contributors.