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.

Take a dangerous ride through 'Blacktop Wasteland'
S.A. Cosby's latest is being marketed as a crime novel — but that crime is the least important element in this wrenching story about race, family, and the temptation to take that one last job.
For July: 3 romance novels grounded in reality
Romance novel characters often face outlandish obstacles — pirates, spies, paranormal forces, plots. But this month, we're featuring three down-to-earth stories about balancing love and career.
Author Brit Bennett explores colorism in ‘The Vanishing Half’
Brit Bennett’s latest novel, “The Vanishing Half,” is a rich exploration of family relationships, colorism and how the past influences the present and who we decide to be. We spoke with her about her latest work.
The Five: Dog days of summer edition
MPR News program director Steph Curtis stopped by for a mid-summer edition of “The Five,” where she recommends things to read, listen to and experience this week. 
'Sex and Lies' author Leila Slimani: 'Women's lives matter'
Franco-Moroccan writer Leila Slimani's new book examines the restricted sex lives of women in a country where, she says, the unofficial motto is "Do what you wish, but never talk about it."
'Magic School Bus' author Joanna Cole dies at age 75
Author Joanna Cole, whose “Magic School Bus” books transported millions of young people on extraordinary and educational adventures, has died at age 75.
If you got a 'Do-Over,' would you like your new life?
“Pretty in Pink” meets “Sliding Doors” in this what-if story. High-schooler Emelia gets the chance to go back and change one decision in her past — but then she has to learn to live with the changes.