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.

'The Family Chao' is a riveting story of identity and belonging
There are notable parallels to “The Brothers Karamazov” in Lan Samantha Chang's new novel about three brothers and the contentious relationship between them and their domineering father.
‘It’s a part of me’: In a podcast, Rochester students tell their hijab stories
The most recent episode of “The Invisible Backpack,” developed by Rochester, Minn., school staff, focuses on the experiences of students who wear hijabs — how it makes them feel, their favorite ways to style it and how they dispel misconceptions about the tradition.
Heartbroken? There's a scientific reason why breaking up feels so rotten
Science writer Florence Williams experienced what felt like a brain injury when her husband left her after more than 25 years. Her new book is “Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey.”
'Free Love' puts a '60s spin on a Jane Austen-style novel of manners
Tessa Hadley's sharp new novel centers on a middle-aged wife and mother who falls for a much younger musician. “Free Love” is a domestic novel that's as eclectic and alive as the times it captures.
Van Gogh exhibit in Mpls. will explore new understanding of the artist's work
"Van Gogh and the Olive Groves” will include the Minneapolis Institute of Art’s own "Olive Trees," plus five oils on loan from the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam and the Dallas Museum of Art.
Two-time Minnesota Book Award winner back with a new fantasy world to get lost in
If you have family members — especially kids — who like to read fantasy, take heed: Two-time Minnesota Book Award winner Brian Farrey is publishing a new novel on Tuesday. He told host Cathy Wurzer about "The Counterclockwise Heart" and his writing process.