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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.

Five things Nicholas Sparks told us about ‘The Notebook’ — and Minnesota

Five things Nicholas Sparks told us about ‘The Notebook’ — and Minnesota

Nicholas Sparks returned to Minnesota last week to see the touring production of “The Notebook: the Musical” at the Ordway. He also revisited the state where some of his earliest memories were formed. Here’s what we learned.
by Jacob Aloi

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A rare 'Superman No. 1' comic book found in an attic fetches $9.12M

A rare 'Superman No. 1' comic book found in an attic fetches $9.12M

Unearthed by three brothers cleaning out their late mother's attic, the copy netted $9.12 million this month at a Texas auction house which says it is the most expensive comic book ever sold.
by The Associated Press

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Jimmy Cliff, reggae giant and star of landmark film ‘The Harder They Come,’ dead at 81

Jimmy Cliff, reggae giant and star of landmark film ‘The Harder They Come,’ dead at 81

Jimmy Cliff, the charismatic reggae pioneer and actor who preached defiance, joy and endurance in such classics as “Many Rivers to Cross,” “You Can Get it If You Really Want” and “Vietnam” and starred in the landmark movie “The Harder They Come,” has died at 81.
by The Associated Press

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Talking Volumes: Kate Baer asks 'How About Now'

The 2025 season of Talking Volumes ended with poet Kate Baer and guest host Catharine Richert and a lot of laughter.
by Catharine Richert and Kelly Gordon

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This weekend, artists are speaking out across the country

This weekend, artists are speaking out across the country

Artists in more than 40 states are spending Friday and Saturday participating in the "Fall of Freedom" – which they say represents a creative resistance to authoritarianism.
by Anastasia Tsioulcas

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MN Shortlist: Slow Burns & Bright Lights — 6 Picks for Nov. 21–27

MN Shortlist: Slow Burns & Bright Lights — 6 Picks for Nov. 21–27

As parade season kicks in and the evenings arrive early, this week’s picks offer a mix of music, theater and small-scale surprises. From Duluth’s gingerbread “city” to a new festival of collaborative work in Minneapolis, here are six solid ways to make the most of the week ahead.
by Jacob Aloi, Anika Besst and Max Sparber

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