The subject of this talk is the structure of the space of homomorphisms from a group $\pi$ to a Lie group $G$ denoted $Hom(\pi,G)$. The space of representations $Hom(\pi,G)/G$ obtained from the adjoint action of $G$ will be considered. In special cases, these spaces can be assembled into a single space analogous to the classifying space of the group $G$. Properties of these spaces will be developed. This talk is based on joint work with A. Adem, E. Torres, and J. Gomez.