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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.

Racial diversity in children's books grows, but slowly

Racial diversity in children's books grows, but slowly

Data suggests books about people of color stayed largely the same and there were only slight increases in books written by people of color. Experts say the true effect of 2020 on the children's book industry may be seen in the years to come.
by The Associated Press

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'The Jigsaw Man' presents a compelling puzzle

'The Jigsaw Man' presents a compelling puzzle

The debut novel from British criminal lawyer Nadine Matheson stars a Black homicide detective dealing with not only PTSD from a serial killer's attack, but also mistrust from her family and community.
by Swapna Krishna

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'The Impudent Ones' shows signs of future greatness

'The Impudent Ones' shows signs of future greatness

Marguerite Duras' never-before-translated debut novel “The Impudent Ones,” first published in 1943, isn't a pleasant read — but it is a signpost to what she would later achieve with “The Lover.”
by Martha Anne Toll

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Ep. 14: The kids are alright

Ep. 14: The kids are alright

This week in The Warming House, we reveal more winners in our Great Minnesota Burger Bracket competition, Gov. Tim Walz goes head-to-head with his daughter Hope for Smarter Than Your College Kid and if you don't know what-in-the-*beep* Kidz Bop is, you're gonna find out! (Sorry, not sorry.)
by Nina Moini, Sean McPherson and Tiffany Hanssen

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Read more romance by Black authors

Read more romance by Black authors

A new report on race and romance novels finds that although many publishers have promised to publish more romance from writers of color that feature diverse characters, very little progress has been made.
by Kerri Miller

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'Mank' leads Academy Awards nominations with 10 nods

'Mank' leads Academy Awards nominations with 10 nods

David Fincher's "Mank" has led nominations to the 93rd Academy Awards with 10 nods, and for the first time, two women — Chloé Zhao and Emerald Fennell — were nominated for best director.
by The Associated Press

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Beyoncé, Swift make history as women rule the Grammys

Beyoncé, Swift make history as women rule the Grammys

Beyoncé — with her 28th win — became the most decorated woman in Grammy history. Four women won the top four prizes, including Taylor Swift, who became the first female performer to win album of the year three times.
by The Associated Press

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'Useful Delusions' examines how beliefs can be powerful in positive and negative ways

'Useful Delusions' examines how beliefs can be powerful in positive and negative ways

In a new book, former NPR reporter Shankar Vedantam suggests attaining "a deeper psychological understanding of why people believe what they believe," being empathetic and considering costs involved.
by Steve Inskeep

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Yo-Yo Ma serenades newly-vaccinated at inoculation clinic

Yo-Yo Ma serenades newly-vaccinated at inoculation clinic

Newly vaccinated Massachusetts residents were treated to a mini concert over the weekend when famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma brought out his instrument after getting his second COVID-19 vaccine shot.
by The Associated Press

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