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.

Muralist's latest work honors people of Latin American, Caribbean nations
Cadex Herrera’s mural will be unveiled in September during Fiesta Latina, an annual celebration hosted by CLUES, a social service agency that has served the state’s Latino communities for 40 years.
Meet this year's child Mullet Championship finalists
It can take years to grow the perfect mullet, and these kids have put in their time to take home the 2022 USA Mullet Championship trophy. Here's a peek at some of the most remarkable contestant 'dos.
New theatre performance helps the audience create rituals to deal with loss
On Friday, Aug. 19, Wonderlust Productions opens their new interactive performance “Lost and Found” on an island in the Mississippi River. The performance is meant to engage people in creating rituals to acknowledge ambiguous loss — the losses we have all suffered but could not grieve. Leah Cooper, the Co-Artistic Director of Wonderlust Productions, speaks with Cathy Wurzer about the idea behind the “performance” and what those involved can expect.
Afghan women raise their voices in two new anthologies
This week marks a year since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan. But the Taliban hasn't succeeded in silencing Afghan women, whose voices ring out in two new and powerful collections.
Butch Thompson, jazz pianist with 'A Prairie Home Companion' dies
When Thompson was 12, he saw Louis Armstrong perform in Minneapolis at the Northrop Auditorium, which fueled his early pursuit of jazz.
N. Scott Momaday reflects on how Native stories shaped his imagination
This week’s Big Books and Bold Ideas conversation is with debut novelist Oscar Hokeah about his book, “Calling for a Blanket Dance.” During his discussion with host Kerri Miller, they were both delighted to discover they share a love of Native American poet and writer N. Scott Momaday. Since Miller spoke with Momaday in 2021, we decided to pull this one from the archives for all to enjoy.