Arts and Culture

MPR News has you covered with news and stories about local art and culture happenings across Minnesota.

Art Hounds: Art Hounds are members of the Minnesota arts community who look beyond their own work to highlight what's exciting in local art. You can explore arts events here, or become an Art Hound today.

Art Reviews: Our arts team offers insight on the latest in theater, music, visual arts and more. We explore the breadth of creativity and innovation found throughout Minnesota, offering audiences a deeper understanding of the works and artists shaping our cultural landscape. Read more here.

Art Friend: Everyone needs an art friend. Art Friend is a new segment with our arts team. Art spaces can feel exclusive and art can be confusing, obtuse, and even boring. But, especially with the right context, everyone can be a critic. So let us be your guide- your Art Friend. Listen or read Art Friend stories here.

Our arts coverage is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment's Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.

July 19, 2025 8:00 AM

15 essential books to better understand climate change

Professors at universities and colleges across the state say one of the best ways to understand climate change is simple: reading.

by Jaylan Sims

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July 19, 2025 7:00 AM

Ask a Bookseller: ‘American Mythology’ by Giano Cromley

Ellyn Grimm of Dog-Eared Books in Ames, Iowa, recommends Giano Cromley’s novel “American Mythology.”

by Emily Bright

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July 18, 2025 5:09 PM

Where to start? This week’s new releases are an all-you-can-read buffet

This week, new horror from Silvia Moreno-Garcia, a funny college do-over from Jeneva Rose, and autofiction from Hannah Pittard. Plus, stories about the American South, and a deep dive into the Earth.

by Colin Dwyer

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July 18, 2025 12:00 PM

Isaac Thompson named president and CEO of Minnesota Orchestra

Isaac Thompson, a Twin Cities native and current head of the Oregon Symphony, has been named president and CEO of the Minnesota Orchestra, returning to lead the organization he grew up attending.

by Max Sparber, Tom Crann and Gretchen Brown

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July 18, 2025 11:00 AM

Joy Harjo bends time with her poetry to honor her mother's death

In her book, “Washing my Mother’s Body,” Joy Harjo bends time with her poetry to return to what she deems an essential ritual of love and dignity to honor her mother’s passing.

by Kerri Miller and Kelly Gordon

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July 18, 2025 7:57 AM

CBS will end ’The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ next year

Colbert confirmed the cancellation during a show taping on Thursday. CBS said the move was “purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night.”

by Mandalit del Barco

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July 18, 2025 4:00 AM

MN Shortlist, July 18-24: Chastity Brown, touring Shakespeare and more

MN Shortlist is your weekly curated roundup of recommended events from MPR News, highlighting standout performances, exhibits and gatherings around the region.

by Jacob Aloi, Anika Besst and Alex V. Cipolle

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July 18, 2025 4:00 AM

Days of conventions past: How a fan event captures why people love the X-Men

A Minneapolis fan convention called “The Uncanny Experience” transformed the historic Minneapolis Club into the X-Men’s Xavier Institute, offering immersive cosplay, storytelling, and community-building for fans who connect deeply with the X-Men’s themes of outsider identity, found family, and empowerment through shared weirdness.

by Jacob Aloi