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.

Diane Ladd, 3-time Oscar nominee, dies at 89
Diane Ladd, the three-time Academy Award nominee known for roles in “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” and “Wild at Heart,” has died at 89. Her daughter, Laura Dern, announced Ladd’s death on Monday, saying she passed away at her home in Ojai, California, with Dern by her side. 
Strega Nona turns 50 — and her art lives in Minneapolis
The University of Minnesota’s Kerlan Collection is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Tomie dePaola’s beloved picture book “Strega Nona,” showcasing the original illustrations and highlighting Minnesota’s unique role in preserving the warmth, artistry and enduring cultural impact of this classic story.
Prolific author John Grisham came to Talking Volumes for the first time earlier this month and charmed the packed Fitzgerald Theater with stories about his time as a lawyer, how writing transformed his views on justice and why he doesn’t put sex scenes in his book.
‘Patchwork’ pieces together Jane Austen’s personal life
While some might be bothered by a biography that regularly, and proudly, takes liberties with facts and chronology, such artistry is the heart and strength of Kate Evans’ delightful and illuminating work.
How Americans feel about changing the clocks, according to a new AP-NORC poll
A new AP-NORC poll finds that only 12 percent of U.S. adults support the current system of daylight saving time, which has people in most states changing the clocks twice a year, while 47 percent are opposed and 40 percent are neutral. 
Ojibwe artist helps bring fashion to the runway for Native American Heritage Month
Art is a “way of life” for Wendy Savage. From painting to sewing and beadwork, Savage has shared her talents for several decades. Now, the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa citizen has helped organize a fashion show near Cloquet to kick-off Native American Heritage Month.
Season of the witch: How one Minnesotan found her place among the craft
Sophia Reed has been a practicing witch for nearly 20 years. Her spiritual journey brought her to Hoodoo Root Work, a type of witchcraft from West Africa that was born out of slavery and emphasizes working with what you have on hand.