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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.

'Aspen Ideas Now': The importance of music and the arts on our brains and health

'Aspen Ideas Now': The importance of music and the arts on our brains and health

From the “Aspen Ideas Now” series, renowned singer Renee Fleming and National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins speak about how music and the arts affect us.

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Barry Lopez, acclaimed author who tied people to place, dies at 75

Barry Lopez, acclaimed author who tied people to place, dies at 75

Barry Lopez — who won a National Book Award in 1986 for “Arctic Dreams” — wrote about his travels to remote places. But his writings aren't just travelogues; they remind us of how precious life on Earth is, and of our responsibility to care for it. Lopez died Friday at age 75.
by Dave Blanchard

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Gingerbread monolith delights San Francisco on Christmas Day

Gingerbread monolith delights San Francisco on Christmas Day

The three-sided, nearly 7-foot-tall gingerbread tower, held together by icing and decorated with a few gumdrops, delighted the city on Friday when word spread about its existence.
by The Associated Press

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Best TV of 2020: Great shows brought us together in a difficult, distanced year

Best TV of 2020: Great shows brought us together in a difficult, distanced year

COVID-19 precautions kept us physically apart, but Fresh Air TV critic David Bianculli says shows such as “Schitt's Creek,” “Better Call Saul,” “Fargo” and “Lovecraft Country” provided virtual connection.
by David Bianculli

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Minnesota author Peter Geye on ‘Northernmost’

Minnesota author Peter Geye on ‘Northernmost’

Novelist Peter Geye described the inspiration behind his family saga, the undercurrent of angst within relationships and how time forces us to reflect on the legacies we leave behind.
by Kerri Miller

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The Minnesota roots of Pixar's 'Soul'

The Minnesota roots of Pixar's 'Soul'

Both co-directors of Pixar’s latest movie have Minnesota connections. It’s the story of a jazz musician’s struggle to get back to Earth after a fatal accident just minutes after getting a gig he’s been seeking his entire life. Like previous Pixar films, it works both on a child and adult level, and both Pete Docter and Kemp Powers say there is a certain amount of Minnesota in the film.
by Euan Kerr

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How Minnesota arts community adapted during pandemic 

How Minnesota arts community adapted during pandemic 

When the pandemic closed live theater and music this year, many artists got creative. Guest host Euan Kerr spoke with listeners and local artists about the struggle and highlights of 2020. 
by Euan Kerr and Maja Beckstrom

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The Cube Critics on their top films of 2020

The Cube Critics on their top films of 2020

With most theaters closed and big screens unavailable, it was a weird year for movies. But our Cube Critics still found some treasures.
by Euan Kerr and Marcheta Fornoff

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