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.

Will Spotify’s AI DJ make you listen longer?
The music streamer’s AI DJ feature offers personalized playlists with a warm AI voice that gives context to song picks.
Codebreakers, fighter pilots and artists: A new photography book features local centenarians
Valérie Jardin’s project, “One Century,” features black-and-white portraits of over 20 centenarians in the activities that bring them joy, celebrating their lives, resilience and stories; her book and exhibition open Nov. 16 at the Praxis Gallery in Minneapolis.
Tradition and innovation on display in Pueblo pottery exhibit at Mia
Pueblo artist and potter Jody Folwell is credited with beginning a contemporary art movement in Pueblo pottery. The Minneapolis Institute of Art is featuring a gallery of Folwell’s original works through the end of January.   
Cube Critics discuss ‘Conclave’
Cube Critics Jacob Aloi and Max Sparber discuss a political thriller set in the Vatican.
Help me get out of a reading rut
The library has a lot of tools to get you back into a book whether it’s physical, digital or audio. And your local librarian is here to help if you want to get back into the habit or maybe you need an escape from reality.
Art Hounds: Songbirds and snails onstage
This week, Art Hounds look at a singing story, book arts and Water Music.
‘Orbital’ by Samantha Harvey wins 2024 Booker Prize
Samantha Harvey has won the 2024 Booker Prize for her science fiction novel “Orbital.” The novel follows six international astronauts as they orbit the Earth for one day of their nine-month space mission.