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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.

Sam Zimmerman celebrates North Shore roots in ‘Walking My Ancestors’ Path’

Sam Zimmerman celebrates North Shore roots in ‘Walking My Ancestors’ Path’

A collection of paintings and stories by Sam Zimmerman captures memories of life in northern Minnesota. His new book, "Walking my Ancestors’ Path," pairs those paintings with stories in English and Ojibwe. An upcoming exhibit at Mill City Museum in Minneapolis will feature his work.
by Chandra Colvin

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MN Shortlist Oct. 16-22: Twin Cities Film Fest, ‘Swingposium,’ Walker Design Triennial, scary books and more

MN Shortlist Oct. 16-22: Twin Cities Film Fest, ‘Swingposium,’ Walker Design Triennial, scary books and more

The 17th annual Twin Cities Film Festival, a dance-big-band-theater event that reflects the U.S. incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, “Beyond Materialism” at the Walker Art Center and the Bloodcurdling Book Bash in Bloomington are among this week’s picks.
by Alex V. Cipolle, Sam Stroozas and Emily Bright

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Art Hounds: St. Paul Art Crawl, dreamlike ceramics and a mental health doc

Art Hounds: St. Paul Art Crawl, dreamlike ceramics and a mental health doc

The Art Hounds recommend the St. Paul Art Crawl, a retrospective of Jim Grittner’s ceramics in Duluth and a documentary screening in Fergus Falls about Minnesota’s mental health institutions.
by Emily Bright

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Twin Cities couple draws on rich choral music scene to help composers distribute new works

Twin Cities couple draws on rich choral music scene to help composers distribute new works

Twin Cities composers Tim Takach and Jocelyn Hagen set out to help connect creators writing new choral pieces with ensembles looking for new works to perform. Their company Graphite Publishing is celebrating 20 years.
by Nina Moini and Ellen Finn

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Jack el-Hai pulls a true-crime saga from history in 'The Case of the Autographed Corpse'

Jack el-Hai pulls a true-crime saga from history in 'The Case of the Autographed Corpse'

Minneapolis author Jack el-Hai is back with another compelling story pulled from the history books. This time, it involves an Apache man falsely accused of killing his wife and the mystery writer who helped overturn his conviction.
by Kelly Gordon

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Minnesota Children's Museum is all about helping kids play

Minnesota Children's Museum is all about helping kids play

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with the president of the Minnesota Children’s Museum about declining attendance, why play is important for kids and how the museum is trying to help address anxiety in young children.
by Angela Davis and Maja Beckstrom

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