Madison Area Resources
Arts and Entertainment | Booksellers | Business | Children and Families | Education | Employment | Events | Finance | Government and Politics | Health and Medicine | History |Housing/Real Estate| Law | Libraries | News and Media | Science and Nature | Seniors | Social Services | Speaker Bureau | Sports | Weather | Return to Recommended Resources by Subject
Arts and Entertainment
see also Wisconsin and National Arts Sites
Choose "Art, Humanities, and Entertainment" for links to Madison-area music, visual art, and related organizations.
A calendar of events located in the Madison area.
The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art is a nonprofit, independent organization that exists to exhibit, collect, preserve, and interpret modern and contemporary art.
A virtual community providing recommendations for notable music performances in the Madison, Milwaukee and Chicago markets, show reviews and photography.
The largest producer-only farmers' market in the country. All items are produced locally by the vendor behind the table.
Helpful local site that lists upcoming shows and auditions, links to area theater groups, ticket promotions, news and classifieds.
The Milwaukee Art Museum collects and preserves art, presenting it to the community as a vital source of inspiration and education.
Overture Center for the Arts is a stunning architecutral landmark in the heard of Madison's thriving cultural arts district.
Sponsored by Wisconsin's Cultural Coalition, this site serves as "a point of entry to Wisconsin's vibrant history, humanities and arts communities, complete with comprehensive listings of events."
The Wisconsin Arts Board Homepage provides listings of arts service organizations, galleries, museums, and art and craft fairs throughout the state.
The Wisconsin Union features more than 1,000 events a year brought to you by the Wisconsin Union Directorate, the Union's student volunteer programming board.
Booksellers
see also Wisconsin and National Book & Literature Sites
Local Independent Book Stores (see also Barnes & Noble, Borders, Half-Price Books)
Avol's is a general used, rare and out-of-print book store specializing in academic and scholarly books since 1980.
Booked for Murder, purveyors of the finest new, used, and rare mystery fiction!
A Room of One's Own specializes in women's literature, and offers a wide selection of fiction, nonfiction, periodicals, music, posters, and t-shirts for and by women.
The University Book Store proudly supplies the academic community with textbooks, supplies and tools for the mind. The University Book Store is a private organization that accepts no aid or funding from the University or state of Wisconsin.
Business
see also Business page
To locate local business home pages, try a search engine or AtoZdatabases. To locate contact information for local businesses that may not have a home page, or to locate business by category, use your local telephone directory or an online equivalent.
2010 population, race and dwelling units by aldermanic districts; 2005-2009 census information
The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce is more than 1,400 businesses who support each other and work together as a strong voice for enlightened economic growth in the region.
Find services, suppliers, and information about local business and demographics.
"Assist[s] businesses in developing and thriving in Madison;" the Office of Business Resources (OBR) is the central point of contact for business assistance in the City of Madison. OBR services are geared to serve new start-up operations, corporate re-loc
Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce's Small Business Advisory Council Online Resource.
Business school information from the UW-Madison campus, as well as other selected links.
Information about resources, classes, and the free Small Business Access Line.
Children and Families
see also Education, Events, and the Library's Kids pageDANEnet is dedicated to helping Dane County non-profits find and use quality information technology that efficiently serves their mission.
Information about programs, upcoming events, and other fun sites for kids.
Madison with Kids is dedicated to keeping local families, child care providers and visitors in the loop with the most thorough, up-to-date listing of events and activities to do around town with kids since 2008. Madison with Kids aims to celebrate time as a family, and encourages parents to provide a variety of opportunities for their kids to experience community life by playing, learning, socializing, staying active and getting familiar with life in and around Madison, WI....
Explains the requirements for obtaining a license, and where and when to apply.
Preschool Life is an online resource and print publication for parents and caregivers of preschoolers. Maintained by Kelly Rush, the site (and corresponding print mini-magazine) offers local parenting tips and news in the categories of "activities and happenings", "home life", "school life", and "just 4 fun". Madison with Kids is a related site.
Education
see also Wisconsin and National Education Sites
Colleges, Universities, and K-12 Schools in Madison
The downtown Madison Public Library has an extensive collection of Madison area high school yearbooks. If a school listed below has a weblink that says "in LINKcat", that means that yearbook is listed in the LINKcat catalog. Clicking on the link takes you into the catalog, where you can see which years are available at the library. Copies are available to view in person at the Central library, please check at the Reference Desk. To request that a particular photo from a certain year...
For a list of other school districts, private schools, and colleges, see City of Madison's Education Links.
Preschool and Child Care
Though their web site doesn't list day care and preschool referrals, there is a number you can call to find a 4-C Member provider in your area.
Infant, preschool, and after-school programs accredited by the City of Madison's Child Care Unit, as well as referrals for low-income families and other child care information for city of Madison residents.
Madison with Kids is dedicated to keeping local families, child care providers and visitors in the loop with the most thorough, up-to-date listing of events and activities to do around town with kids since 2008. Madison with Kids aims to celebrate time as a family, and encourages parents to provide a variety of opportunities for their kids to experience community life by playing, learning, socializing, staying active and getting familiar with life in and around Madison, WI....
Preschool Life is an online resource and print publication for parents and caregivers of preschoolers. Maintained by Kelly Rush, the site (and corresponding print mini-magazine) offers local parenting tips and news in the categories of "activities and happenings", "home life", "school life", and "just 4 fun". Madison with Kids is a related site.
Employment
see also Wisconsin and National Employment Sites
The Dane County Job Center is a central locatio nfor people looking for work and businesses that need help finding qualified applicants.
This site has links to local Dane County Companies as well as many job assistance links.
Look for jobs, fill out applications, write resumes, and more. Great starting site.
The Department of Human Resources serves the District and the community by establishing, developing, recognizing and maintaining a quality work force for the education of our students.
Employment advertisements from from Wisconsin State Journal and The Capital Times. Choose "Classifieds" on top of screen.
Links to classified (state) and unclassified (academic) positions available at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. For student jobs, see the UW Student Job Center.
Government and Politics
see also Wisconsin and National Government Sites and Politics Sites
The Affirmative Action Commission consist of eleven (11) members appointed by the Mayor.
City information including local Census info, economic information, Government Resource Guide,Legislative Information Center(meetings, agendas, minutes), ...
Information about where to vote in the City of Madison, absentee voting procedures and forms, and poll location hours.
The Council adopts the City budget and passes laws, polices and regulations that govern the City.
Access to legislation, agenda and minutes online. Search, share via social networks, or sign up for alerts.
Find your city, county, and state officials in one step if you live in the City of Madison.
The CPD's responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Recommending policy to the Mayor, Common Council and Department of Civil Rights in all areas that affect people with disabilities and their families; studying and making recommendations to all City departments, committees and commissions on proposals to provide better access to facilities and services for people with disabilities and their families; and soliciting comments and suggestions from citizens and organized groups...
The Board establishes county ordinances, levies taxes, passes laws concerning law enforcement and appropriated money for services.
The Dane County Directory provides information about the different governmental units that affect the residents of Dane County.
Studies existence, character, causes & extent of denial of equal opportunity
The City of Madison's Department of Civil Rights strive to improve the quality of life for all people.
The Democratic Party of Dane County is part of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.
Progressive Dane is a progressive political party in Dane County, Wisconsin
Official website of the Republican Party of Dane County
Wisconsin Vote is a service of Wisconsin Public Television and Wisconsin Public Radio and is updated during election season. Content for the website comes from WPT and WPR broadcasts as well as other state and national news and information sources.
"Voter Public Access gives Wisconsin voters one-stop access to information about exercising their right to vote."
Health and Medicine
see also Wisconsin and National Government Sites and Politics Sites
A local not-for-profit organization providing affordable and comprehensive medical, dental, and behavioral health care services.
"The Senior Caregiver's Resource Guide is a valuable and practical Reference for Aging Adult Services in Dane County. Included is an abundance of Information, Support Systems, Organizations, Businesses, Senior Housing Facilities, useful Articles, Referral Sources, Agencies, as well as Programs pertaining to Adults 50+." (from website)
A guide to advance care planning issues, such as power of attorney, living wills, and organ and tissue donations.
The Madison and Dane County Public Health department promotes wellness, prevents disease and helps ensure a healthy environment.
Health sites regarded as the best by librarians at Meriter Hospital of Madison.
History
Wisconsin and National History Sites
Housing/Real Estate
see also National Home Sites
Features a searchable database of apartments in the Madison, Milwaukee, and Janesville/Beloit metropolitan areas.
Search the assessed value of any commercial or residential property in the City of Madison.
Mad City Homes provides flatt fee MLS and FSBO advertising for home sellers in South Central WI.
Search for homes throughout southern Wisconsin
Find information for tenants and landlords regarding rental rights and responsibilities; state and local rental laws; mediation services; and general housing issues. Housing counseling and information for landlords and tenants in the Madison area. See also the full text of Tenant and Landlord Rights and Responsibilities, City of Madison Ordinance 32.06(2)
Law
see also Wisconsin and National Law Sites
Information on legal proceedings and programs, judges, the courthouse, fines and more.
Frequently Asked Questions about family court issues - including divorce, custody, and alimony - and the legal process in Dane County courts. More information about family court counseling is available at Dane County Family Court Counseling Service.
This booklet is to help people involved in a Juvenile Court process, and is for information purposes only.
Madison's top lawyers of 2009.
The State of Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry in partnership with Family Watchdog, with information about FDA Drug and Product recalls as well.
Check the City of Madison's Online City Hall. Type in your keywords. Look through the results for passed ordinances. To read the text, click on the word "ordinance" and read the attachments. Key word searching of the City's webpage will take you to other, non-final versions of this ordinance. The...
Talk to a legal assistant who's experienced in analyzing potential legal problems.
Information on representing yourself in court and resources to help find a lawyer.
Find information for tenants and landlords regarding rental rights and responsibilities; state and local rental laws; mediation services; and general housing issues. Housing counseling and information for landlords and tenants in the Madison area. See also the full text of Tenant and Landlord Rights and Responsibilities, City of Madison Ordinance 32.06(2)
"Obtain timely and reliable information about criminal cases and the custody status of offenders 24 hours a day. Some states have the ability to display this website in Spanish. Please click on the state where you wish to search. "VINELink is the online version of VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday), the National Victim Notification Network. This service allows crime victims to obtain timely and reliable information about criminal cases and the custody status of...
Civil, Criminal, Probate, Small Claims, Divorce, and more. Many of these forms are used in the City of Madison and Dane County.
Provides a wealth of legal information, from advice on general topics like debt or immigration to information and forms specific to the state of Wisconsin. Also offers legal research guides and an ...
Libraries
DCLS is the primary public ilbrary service for many residents of Dane County.
Provides a wealth of legal information, from advice on general topics like debt or immigration to information and forms specific to the state of Wisconsin. Also offers legal research guides and an ...
News and Media
Newspapers
A bi-weekly, multicultural newspaper covering the Madison community. Web site | Archived copies at the Central Library (May 3, 2006 to present)
A weekly newspaper covering the Madison African American community Web site | Archived copies at the Central Library (May 20, 1994)
2005 to the present, with a delay of 60 days--also includes Capital Times and The Isthmus
Radio Stations
Television Stations
Science and Nature
see also National Science and Nature Sites
Environment see also National Sites
The Aldo Leopold Nature Center is an independent not-for-profit charitable organization.
The Arboretum conserves and restores Arboretum lands, davances restoration ecology, and fosters land ethic.
Link to local green organizations and businesses or join their email listserv to discuss green issues with other concerned individuals.
Recycling
Information for Dane County residents (including Madison) about recycling batteries, paint, computers, hazardous materials, and other special materials.
Information for Madison residents on recycling common materials such as glass, newspaper, aluminum, cardboard, office paper, phone books, and leaves/yard waste.
Seniors
see also Wisconsin and National Senior Sites
The Area Agency on Aging of Dane County serves individuals who are age 60 and over and/or their family members by providing information and assistance in accessing services that will help older adults stay in their own homes and communities.
"The Senior Caregiver's Resource Guide is a valuable and practical Reference for Aging Adult Services in Dane County. Included is an abundance of Information, Support Systems, Organizations, Businesses, Senior Housing Facilities, useful Articles, Referral Sources, Agencies, as well as Programs pertaining to Adults 50+." (from website)
A nonprofit, multi-care organization assisting older and disabled adults to live with independence and dignity and maintain health and well being. Includes area services like Meals on Wheels.
Madison Senior Center involves older adults in their community and the Senior Center, as leaders, teachers and learners; provides a balance, diverse and coordinated program; and promotes the Senior Center as a model for the aging and aged.
Social Services
Find out if you are eligible to receive help through Wisconsin's health and nutrition programs.
Go to United Way 2-1-1 I&R Database
Click on "Click Here" then use Keyword search for Soup Kitchens or Food Pantries.
Call 1-877-366-3635 to get screened for FoodShare benefits and set-up a free, confidential appointment to apply. More information at: http://www.secondharvestmadison.org/FindHelp.aspx
This is Isthmus' online guide to social services and groups in the Madison/Dane County area. The Annual Manual is a product of the Resource Directory database.
To Get Help United Way of Dane County aims to unite and focus the community to create measurable results in changing peoples lives and strengthening our community.
This community services guide provides detailed information about service providers in your community, volunteer needs, wish-lists, maps, and more.
Speaker Bureaus
Search by keyword or expert name to over 1700 faculty and staff at UW-Madison.
Sports
see also Wisconsin and National Sports Sites
The Badger State Games is a Wisconsin festival of Olympic-style competition. The Badger State Games provide a forum for training and competition among Wisconsin's Olympic hopefuls and recreational athletes.
