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.

3 crackling young adult reads to welcome fall
Time to put down the beach reads and pick up some substantive, immersive new young adult books — from a monstrous fantasy, to a refugee's tale, to a story that brings new meaning to haunted houses.
Keri Pickett's photographic journey returns to Moorhead
After 40 years photographing around the world, Kerri Pickett returns to her alma mater Minnesota State University Moorhead, where she says she was inspired to become an art photographer.
Rocker Ric Ocasek, frontman of The Cars, dead at 75
Ric Ocasek, The Cars frontman whose deadpan vocal delivery and lanky, sunglassed look defined a rock era with several chart-topping hits, was discovered dead Sunday afternoon in his Manhattan apartment.
Country's new supergroup 'The Highwomen' unite to make way for unsung female artists
Natalie Hemby and Amanda Shires talk about the formation of their new all-female supergroup that also includes Brandi Carlile and Maren Morris — what some might consider a gutsy move within a male-dominated genre.
A portrait of Molly Ivins, maverick Texas journalist, in 'Raise Hell'
A new documentary about the political columnist and author takes a personal look at a woman who used her scalding wit and investigative skills to skewer politicians for nearly four decades.
'Homesick' is a boundary-expanding story of devotion and growing up
Accomplished translator Jennifer Croft's first non-translated work is a hybrid, mixing photography and impressionistic autobiographical writing to tell the story of Croft's artistic coming of age.
'The Divers' Game' depicts an unimaginably unjust, all too believably cruel
In author Jesse Ball's universe, which runs too closely parallel to our own, human worth has been reduced, negated, argued out of existence. But it has left an echo, one with a haunting symphony.
Ken Burns gets to the heart of 'Country Music'
The film includes interviews with Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, Charley Pride as well as surprises like Paul Simon, Elvis Costello and one of the last interviews with the late Merle Haggard.
You'll want to open every one of 'The Ten Thousand Doors of January'
Alix E. Harrow's debut novel, about a young woman growing up in a mysterious mansion at the turn of the last century, will lead you on a journey through books within books and worlds within worlds.