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.

Ask a Bookseller: 'Empire of Ice and Stone'
Lee Post of Homer Bookstore says it was hard to stay warm reading Buddy Levy's beautifully written nonfiction book, “Empire of Ice and Stone: The Disastrous and Heroic Voyage of the Karluk,” about at 1913 expedition gone horribly wrong.
These poems by Latin American women reflect a multilingual region
Sandra Guzmán once heard an alarming statistic: Every 14 days, an Indigenous language dies around the world. So she created a new multilingual project centered on Latin American women.
Harvard's Drew Gilpin Faust says history should make us uncomfortable
Growing up in the South, Faust rejected the narrative she was fed about slavery and the Civil War. She writes about her journey to activism and becoming the president of Harvard in “Necessary Trouble.”
'Unearthing' couples the natural world with the meaning of family
Kyo Maclear presents a unique take on the paternity mystery memoir, one that eschews a predetermined narrative arc for a wide-ranging exploration of what it means to be a family.
Charles Martinet, the voice of Nintendo's beloved Mario character, is stepping down
Nintendo of America confirmed that Charles Martinet will now serve in the role of "Mario Ambassador," traveling around the world to promote the beloved plumber and perform Nintendo character voices.
Rabbit and Opossum come to life in 'Ancient Night' — a new twist on an old legend
David Álvarez's twist on traditional myths from Mesoamerica is about rivalry, jealousy and making amends. What started as a wordless picture book now has text by author David Bowles.
Ask a Bookseller: 'Fox and I'
Julian Karhumaa of Farley’s Bookshop in New Hope, Pa., said he’s still thinking about Catherine Raven’s memoir “Fox and I: An Uncommon Friendship.”