Langton commissions and presents new work by local, national, and international artists. These exhibitions address contemporary cultural issues, retrospective exhibitions, and solo and group exhibitions by both emerging and established artists, as well as interdisciplinary works.

Founded in 1975, Langton has a distinguished record of supporting innovative work by contemporary artists.  Langton’s history is closely tied to the emergence of new art forms – performance and time-based art, video, installation, improvised and electronic music, and language poetry. Langton has foregrounded artists at early and pivotal points in their careers—Barbara Kruger in the literature program (1977); a residency by Allan Kaprow and Martha Rosler (1980); Charles Ray’s performance installation (1985); and Olafur Eliasson’s first show in the US (1996). At the time, these artists were under 35, at emergent moments in their careers, and had never before been seen in the Bay Area.

Musée d'Honneur Minuscule
In addition to the work shown in the gallery, the Musée d'Honneur Minuscule presents artworks in a street level window, allowing passers-by to view the work of an emerging artist even during non-gallery hours.