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.

How the Method transformed film — and made acting more human
Method acting is more than mining personal experiences to play a character — or physically transforming for a role. Author Isaac Butler traces the history of the technique in “The Method.”
Abraham Galloway is the Black figure from the Civil War you should know about
Galloway escaped enslavement, became a Union spy and helped recruit thousands of Black soldiers to fight with the North, but his name has been largely left out of the Civil War narrative.
Omicron continues pain for event businesses in MN, still not back to normal
The live event and hospitality industries have been hit extremely hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. But they say they have been, for the most part, left out of the financial aid many others have received.
'The Power of the Dog' and 'Dune' nab the most 2022 Oscar nominations
Jane Campion's and Denis Villeneuve's films got the highest amount of nominations, 12 and 10 each. “Drive My Car,” from Japan, got nominated for both Best Picture and Best International Feature.
Ask a Bookseller: 'See Me in the Wonder' is an affirmation of life after loss
Kathy Gray is the primary bookbuyer for Lark Toys in Kellogg, Minn., and she recommends "See Me in the Wonder," a picture book by a Wisconsin author and illustrator Laurel Fraher.
Coming of age with three contemporary YA novels
In each of these stories — “Full Flight,” “Required Reading for the Disenfranchised Freshman,” “Ophelia After All” — a girl stands at a junction in her life, on the brink of deciding who she wants to be.
Why power entices the wrong kind of people
Why do so many leaders become authoritarian, violent or just plain dishonest? A new book explores the relationship of power to corruption. Join Kerri Miller for more Big Books and Bold Ideas with author Brian Klaas. 
Songs of love and creatives Art Hounds admire
Jay Fuchs presents a love-themed cabaret show in St. Paul ahead of Valentine’s Day; Alexandria, Minn., photographer Lou Ann Marks’ enthusiasm for cellphone photography draws attention, and an appreciation for Americana musician Jud Hailey.