AS220 was founded in 1985 by Umberto Crenca, alongside Susan Clausen and Scott Seabolt as a space for artists and performers to exhibit their work in an uncensored and unjuried venue.

Between 2003 and 2006, they launched a Capital Campaign which raised $2 million to improve the Empire Street Complex, including the creation of the AS220 Bar and Restaurant.

AS220 is best known as an arts organization, but has also made an impact on the city as a developer, occupying multiple buildings that it either uses for its own purposes or rents to local artists, cultural institutions, and small businesses, often below market rate or categorized as affordable housing for creative contributors.

[10] In addition to the main space, the Empire Street location is also home to an experimental black box theater and dance studio.

[13] It hosts multiple free workshops each week in creative writing, dance, music, visual arts, and photography.

AS220 has a community printshop, a fabrication lab, and media arts facilities made available to artists, makers, artisans, and learners through classes, training, reserved time, and open access events.

[citation needed] The Paul Krot Darkroom was established in 1994, along with a number of photography classes and programs which later expanded to include other media arts.

[18] Every summer, AS220 hosts an annual block party, "Foo Fest" (previously known as the "Fool's Ball"), a 12-hour event including live music from over 20 local and regional bands and a national headliner, interactive art installations, artist booths, the Rhode Island Mini Maker Fair, and Libertalia's anarchist bookfair.

Notable performers at Foo Fest include Andrew W.K., Warpaint, Sun Ra, Lightning Bolt, Deerhoof, Psychic TV, Dan Deacon, Ssion, and Big Freedia.