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.

Four strings, infinite joy: T.H.U.G. is a ukulele group with a name to remember
The Two Harbors Ukulele Group (T.H.U.G.), a lively ensemble of mostly senior musicians, brings joy through its 400+ song repertoire, performing everywhere from senior living facilities to breweries, with a passion for community, lifelong learning and, most importantly, fun.
'The Trouble of Color: An American Family Memoir'
Historian Martha S. Jones found a remarkable and complicated story of identity, race and belonging as she researched her own family’s past.
Minnesota author provides bucket list in ‘100 Things to Do in Duluth Before You Die’
Jay Gabler, a Twin Cities native, told MPR News host Cathy Wurzer he “was really pleased to discover how eager Duluthians are to help newcomers discover the city” on Morning Edition Thursday.
A St. Paul GIANT: Gordon Parks plays a special role in the new Mia exhibition from Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz
The exhibition “GIANTS” at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, owned by Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz, showcases around 100 works by Black diasporic artists, including Jean-Michel Basquiat, Mickalene Thomas and Nick Cave, with a special gallery dedicated to St. Paul-raised photographer and activist Gordon Parks.
‘Wicked’ costume designer reflects on formative years at the Guthrie
Paul Tazewell is the first Black man to win an Academy Award for costume design. He said his work at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis set him up for the success of his work on the movie “Wicked.”