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.

Art Hounds: Sing 'til you're hoarse to Tall Heights
This week, the Art Hounds recommend a band at the Turf Club, a show of state flowers in Hutchinson and Frank Theatre's "Good Person of Setzuan."
How long does it take to write a bestseller?
Some writers (looking at you, Stephen King) can churn out two books in a year. Some writers take more than a decade. Here's a look at how long it took to write your favorite book.
What it means to be an American: Artists, musicians and activists speak
Influential thinkers from around the country reflected on the American identity in the modern age. Naaima Khan, Pakou Hang and Brian Rosenberg to reflected on the series and added their own perspective on what it means to be an American.
13 scary books worth the nightmares
October is the perfect time to terrify yourself with a good book. Whether you like modern horrors or good, old-fashioned haunted houses, these books are sure to keep you up at night.
Dees says it took him a day to write the song and three months to convince anyone to record it.
Internet mourns apparent death of Pedals, a real stand-up bear
Pedals was a wild black bear with injured forepaws, who stood and walked on his hind legs. State officials say he appears to have been a casualty of this year's bear hunt.
Prince's siblings: Purported niece, grandniece are not heirs
Prince's siblings say a woman and girl purported to be the singer's niece and grandniece have no genetic connection to Prince and should not be named as heirs to his estate.
'Truevine' tells the tale of 2 black albino brothers forced to work for the circus
For years, black children around Roanoke, Va., heard the cautionary tale of Willie and George Muse, African-American albino brothers who were kidnapped and forced to perform in a series of circuses.
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Chuck Berry turns 90
Berry started out playing the blues, but created his own sound when he incorporated country music into his repertoire. He was in the first group of musicians inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.