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.

Warm welcome for 'Frozen' star: Minnesota skater makes home-state debut
"There are so many little kids — you'll see them in the audience, all wearing an Elsa dress and screaming Elsa's name, so it's so important for me to really put my all out there," said "Disney on Ice" skater Olivia Oltmanns.
The University of Minnesota women's volleyball team continues play in the NCAA tournament on Friday afternoon, when they host Oregon. If the Gophers win, they'll play again on Saturday for the chance to return to the Final Four.
It's a song that wasn't originally meant to be a duet. Diamond had written a 45-second version to use as the opening theme for a TV series being developed by that Norman Lear — but when the concept of the series changed, the song no longer fit, so Diamond expanded it into a full-length tune.
In a letter posted online, Theater Mu's board of directors said it received complaints about Randy Reyes' conduct a few months ago. The nature of the complaints wasn't specified.
Kevin Hart bows out as Oscars host amid backlash over past tweets
"I'm sorry that I hurt people," the comic said, referring to anti-gay tweets he had posted years earlier. He had initially refused to apologize, only to announce hours later that he was stepping down.
'Mary, Queen of Scots' is a case study of how political, human narratives get crafted
Stefan Zweig's famous book is as much about its own context as an execution 300 years ago; its archness signals a time capsule, except that the rhetoric around women in power has changed so little.
In British Arrows, ads may sell best that sell the least
The annual collection of Britain's best TV commercials is a holiday tradition at the Walker Art Center.
John Hendrix is the author of "The Faithful Spy: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Plot to Kill Hilter," a new illustrated novel telling the story of the rise of Hitler and one man's attempt to stop him.
The orchestra played the first half of the oratorio last year, and will perform the second part this weekend at Orchestra Hall. The performance comes the same week that music director Osmo Vanska announced he will step down when his contract ends in 2022.