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.

A few things to consider before committing a museum heist
Art heists may sound glamorous, but stealing priceless cultural artifacts doesn't always pay off like you'd expect. NPR talked with a veteran art thief, a lawyer and an expert on heist economics.
MN Shortlist: Songs, stories and spells — six picks for Oct. 25–29
A weekly lineup of standout arts and culture happenings, handpicked by the MPR News team for those who like their weekends with a little extra spark. From indie pop hauntings to living memory onstage, this week hums with art that lingers long after the lights go down.
Misty Copeland hangs up her pointe shoes after performing at retirement show
Misty Copeland took one last spin on her pointe shoes Wednesday, as she retired after a trailblazing career in which she became an ambassador for diversity in an overwhelmingly white art form.
The Minnesota story behind 'Mystery Science Theater 3000': An interview with Jim Mallon
Rochester native Jim Mallon co-created “Mystery Science Theater 3000” in 1988 as a new production manager on Twin Cities television channel 23.
Misty Copeland will take to the ballet stage one last time, before hanging up her pointe shoes
Misty Copeland is taking one last passionate spin on the ballet stage before saying goodbye. The 43-year-old ballerina was the first and only Black female principal dancer in the company's 75-year history, and helped bring diverse audiences to the American Ballet Theatre stage.
Ojibwe artist George Morrison’s family relishes his first solo exhibit at The Met
A few dozen Minnesotans traveled to New York to celebrate Ojibwe painter George Morrison, as the Metropolitan Museum of Art unveiled his first solo exhibition and placed the Minnesota-born artist among the giants of American modernism.
Giant, floating pumpkin races draw large crowds to annual event in Oregon
Giant, floating pumpkin races have drawn large crowds to the Oregon city of Tualatin. The Portland suburb has hosted the event since 2004. In Sunday's event, giant pumpkins that originally weighed roughly 1,000 pounds were carved out, allowing them to float.