The Pro Arte Quartet was founded in 1912 in Belgium, and early on became renowned for programming contemporary music, including the premieres of new works by Bartok, Honegger, Milhaud, Stravinsky, and many others. Named "Quartet of the Belgian Court,"the group was stranded in the U.S. while on tour when WWII broke out and accepted a residency at UW-Madison, where it remains today, presenting formal concerts, educational outreach, and maintaining an international touring schedule. An especially richseason in its anniversary year includes new works by Harbison, Bolcom, Schoenfield and others, and residencies, lectures and exhibits, a book, a CD-release, and much more.