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.

MN Shortlist June 6–12: Country Queers, Plein Air and ‘Legally Blonde’
MN Shortlist is your weekly curated roundup of recommended events from MPR News, highlighting standout performances, exhibits and gatherings around the region.
‘SIXPACK’ is a raw family drama, steeped in Hmong American culture
A layered coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of Hmong women’s volleyball, “SIXPACK” offers a sharp, moving portrait of ambition, family and forgiveness — and stands as a vivid reflection of Minnesota’s evolving cultural landscape.
‘Lovers and Comrades’: Bart Buch’s queer poetic puppet adventure at Open Eye Theatre in Minneapolis
Bart Buch’s “Ode to Walt Whitman,” now at Open Eye Theatre, is a multimedia puppet performance inspired by Whitman and Lorca’s poetry and queer identities, reimagining their dialogue through modern gay dating apps to explore love, connection and democracy in troubled times.