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.

Trove of recipes dating back to Inquisition reveals a family's secret Jewish roots
Many Jews were forced to convert during the Inquisition, a history often lost to their descendants. Finding recipes adhering to Jewish food customs helped one woman unearth her family's hidden past.
Innocence Lost: Could it happen again?
Many survivors say while the Children’s Theatre has made significant changes, the broader community’s culture of silence remains.
Audio reflections: MPR News reporters share memorable sound from 2019
When MPR News reporters are in the studio, crafting those in-depth stories that listeners rely on every day, ear-grabbing background sound is usually on the checklist of things to do. 2019 saw many stories that provided some of those unique sounds. We compiled a list of reporter favorites.
In Chicago, Hanukkah now has its own pop-up bar experience
The two creators of the new Hanukkah-themed bar saw a void in the pop-up scene. Neither is Jewish, but they did enough research to be able to serve up matzo ball soup, latkes, and boozy jelly donuts.
Poet Louis Jenkins found beauty in the Midwestern mundane
Louis Jenkins died Saturday. When his poems provided fodder for the actor and playwright Mark Rylance, fame followed.
A surprising and satisfying historical novel
Téa Obreht returns after nearly a decade with a new novel that weaves American history together with some truly strange happenings in the desert.
The Code Switch holiday book guide
A book is still a perfect gift. So, because we're betting that some people have a bit of the procrastinator in them, here's a Code Switch gift to you: Our list of books that stuck with us this year.