The assumptions from which MLAC was born can be identified in the idea of "open didactics" promoted by Nello Ponente (the first professor of contemporary art history in the University of Rome), which translates into having students interact within university classrooms with artists, proponents of the most advanced experimentation. The foundations are thus laid for a direct knowledge of present art, complementary to historical and theoretical knowledge. The exhibition history of the Museo Laboratorio began in 1987, under the direction of Simonetta Lux, with an exhibition dedicated to Alberto Burri. These early years are marked by an activity with an interdisciplinary slant that leads to a succession of exhibitions focused on the dialogue between contemporary art and other areas of culture, with particular attention to the world of avant-garde music. 
In 1993 the direction of the MLAC passed to Maurizio Calvesi, who involved in the exhibition and workshop activities of the Museum now famous artists and promises of the art world, cyclically entrusting the curatorship of the exhibitions to young scholars active in the Roman sphere, who later became established names. 
In 2000, the MLAC returned under Lux's direction. From this time, museum programming opens up to the themes of the fragmentation inherent in the digital world and the changes in cultural identities caused by globalization and delocalization. In March 2015, MLAC resumed its exhibition activities in the renovated and downsized venue. Since the reopening, continuing under the direction of Claudio Zambianchi and the current one of Ilaria Schiaffini, the custom of involving students and accompanying the exhibitions with moments of in-depth study that result in conferences, round tables, book presentations, screenings and musical events is reconfirmed.
In recent years the programming of the MLAC demonstrates a particular attention in the in-depth study of the different languages of contemporary artistic research, including photography, graphics and street art. Ample space is devoted to the proposal of young artists and curators also trying to solicit the participation of the public through workshops and days dedicated to open discussion on issues of pressing current affairs, such as that relating to the reorganization of The National Gallery of Rome. The space given to the sharing of different opinions is aimed at soliciting the growth of the participants' critical gaze.