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.

Southern Minnesota musicians and fans gather for workshops, concerts in second annual festival
The Minnesota Original Music Festival kicks off Wednesday and runs through Sunday, bringing together musicians in southern Minnesota for live performances and educational opportunities.
3 lessons past Hollywood strikes can teach us about the current moment
Hollywood actors and screenwriters are on strike simultaneously for the first time since 1960. When — and how — might things resolve this time? Experts tell NPR what recent history can teach us.
In 1963, she left Minneapolis for Mattel. She designed Barbie clothes for 35 years
Carol Spencer, a fashion designer from Minneapolis, spent 35 years designing outfits for Barbie. She drew inspiration from designer brands like Dior and Chanel, and believes Barbie has endured because people from different walks of life found their own connection to the doll.
Duluth musician Gaelynn Lea debuts new play, continues work to make stages more accessible
Seven years since winning NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest, Duluth musician Gaelynn Lea has played hundreds of gigs around the world, scored a Broadway play and become an influential advocate for disability awareness.
Brooklyn Center unveils design for memorial to Daunte Wright
The city of Brooklyn Center has released its plans for a memorial to Daunte Wright, near where the 20-year-old Black man was shot and killed during a traffic stop in 2021. 
8 things to do around the ‘Barbie’ premiere in Minnesota
Events include a pop-up closet at the Mall of America, a Barbie-themed rave in Minneapolis and parties ahead of movie screenings across the state.
75 years ago, Hubert H. Humphrey called for Dems to 'walk into the bright sunshine of human rights'
MPR News host Cathy Wurzer spoke with author Samuel Freedman about his new book, “Into the Bright Sunshine: Young Hubert Humphrey and the Fight for Civil Rights.”
Taylor Swift just made Billboard history, again
Swift became the first woman and third artist ever to have four of the Top 10 albums on Billboard's 200 chart. This latest milestone comes weeks after the release of “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version).”