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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.

Don't let the pandemic winter get you down: 9 creative ways to socialize safely

Don't let the pandemic winter get you down: 9 creative ways to socialize safely

With bad pandemic news and endless social distancing, it can already feel like the longest winter ever. But keeping up nourishing bonds of human connection is possible with a little ingenuity.
by Rhitu Chatterjee

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U.S. Rings In New Year With Subdued Celebrations

U.S. Rings In New Year With Subdued Celebrations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged people find an alternative option for celebrating the holiday — with an aim to avoid large crowds and indoor gatherings.
by Jaclyn Diaz

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Trio of books shows a Southeast Asia caught between world powers

Trio of books shows a Southeast Asia caught between world powers

Three regional experts agree there's no desire in Southeast Asia to pick Washington over Beijing. U.S. strategy should look through the lens of the region itself — not just focus on containing China.
by Nishant Dahiya

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Indigenous organizations collaborate to feed their most vulnerable

Indigenous organizations collaborate to feed their most vulnerable

Three Indigenous groups collaborated to feed traditional meals to their most vulnerable community members over the holidays. Volunteers prepped, cooked, packaged and delivered over 400 meals on Christmas Eve. The effort comes as 1 in 8 Minnesotans face food insecurity during the pandemic.
by Kathryn Styer Martinez

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Wiser resolutions? Lessons from COVID's unfulfilled ones

Wiser resolutions? Lessons from COVID's unfulfilled ones

Remember those early-quarantine resolutions? Those of us lucky enough to have down time imagined tackling big projects and learning new skills. Often those things didn't get done because, well, 2020. Experts say that's to be expected.
by The Associated Press

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New book details Prince's life 'on and off the record'

New book details Prince's life 'on and off the record'

Neal Karlen’s new memoir "This Thing Called Life: Prince’s Odyssey On and Off the Record," details a complicated relationship with a complex man.
by Euan Kerr

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Emergency relief fund created for MN backstage professionals

Emergency relief fund created for MN backstage professionals

The new Theater Emergency Relief Fund aims to help individuals who work in theater or dance production or design by offering grants of $1,200.
by Euan Kerr

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Ep. 4: Bring it on 2021!

Ep. 4: Bring it on 2021!

Welcome to the Warming House's New Year's Eve-eve-eve-eve-eve-eve Special, featuring a vinyl pick to fuel “a perfect party,” a heart warming Silver Lining story, plus, the crew has got you covered from "Advice-ology" to "Mix-ology.”
by Nina Moini and Sean McPherson

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Poetry escapes the beauty bind in 'Wound from the Mouth of a Wound'

Poetry escapes the beauty bind in 'Wound from the Mouth of a Wound'

In her debut collection, poet torrin a. greathouse explores what it means to be both trans and disabled, and the ways beauty can be a trap for trans women — so why not write towards ugliness?
by Jeevika Verma

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