State of the Arts Blog

After five years, State of the Arts comes to a close
This does not mean that MPR's commitment to arts coverage will be in any way diminished. But we are streamlining our web presence, and making arts coverage easier for you to find.
Park Square’s second stage to open Friday
Area students will get to see the new space first with school matinees beginning on Wednesday. The stage opens to the general public on Friday.
Most critics find ‘Romeo and Juliet’ a dreamy delight
“Romeo and Juliet” is one of Shakespeare’s greatest known tragedies. This is both a blessing and a curse for theater companies. The show has great name recognition, but hasn’t it already been, ahem, “done to death?” According to several critics, Ten Thousand Things Theater Company’s latest production appears to prove that there is still gold…
Michael Kareken fills two galleries with ‘Parts’
The double show at Burnet Gallery and the annex of Groveland Gallery allows for an interesting examination of how different spaces influence the art they present.
The news comes just weeks before the website's annual event "Give to the Max Day" which last year raised $17.1 million.
Sage Awards recognize the year in dance
Each year the SAGE Awards recognize exceptional work in the Minnesota dance scene. The 2014 winners are: Outstanding Dance Performance One with Others – Karen Sherman Rooted: Hip Hop Choreographers’ Evening – Maia Maiden Outstanding Dance Performer Jesse Neumann-Peterson – Under the Current (Sharon Picasso), The Student (Vanessa Voskuil), Azalea Nights (Christine Maginnis/Christopher Watson) Duncan…
Critics split over Mixed Blood’s “Colossal”
Every once in a while, a production will inspire wildly different reviews. Such is the case with Mixed Blood Theatre's "Colossal."
The ruling sets a heartening precedent for artists whose work may be compelling, but is not easily marketable to the general public.
Heart of the Beast shakes up leadership
The change comes in the wake of a financial crisis in August that forced the company to furlough staff for two weeks.
Critics find CTC’s ‘Seedfolks’ a delight
Children’s Theatre Company’s latest production, “Seedfolks” is based on the book by Paul Fleishchman, in which 13 narrators tell the story of the first year of a community garden in an immigrant neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. In CTC’s production, all 13 characters are portrayed by local talent Sonja Parks. Critics found the performance a great…