State of the Arts Blog

A brighter home for the treatment of the mentally ill
A group of community artists are working to create a more welcoming, nurturing environment for hospital patients.
Art Hounds: Andy Ducett, Salon Saloon, and the mystery of Jandek
An interesting thread organically emerged in this week's installment. All the hounds' submissions are connected by a cult theme; a cultish musician, cults as phenomenons, and the cult of Minnesota's personality.
2012 Sage Awards celebrate great moments in dance
This year Shapiro and Smith Dance, Uri Sands and Wynn Fricke were all recognized for creating outstanding choreography.
Lila Downs claims her heritage through music
Born in Mexico and raised in Roseville, Downs writes music that touches on the plight of farm workers, people crossing the border, and the drug cartels that plague Mexico.
SPCO poised to lock out musicians
Management of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra today told its musicians that unless there is a contract agreement by 6 p.m. Sunday it will lock them out.
The reviews are in for ‘Embers’ at the Guthrie Theater
Critics are split in their reviews of this show, with some calling it 'beautiful,' 'taut drama,' and others finding it 'indifferent to its audience' and barely flickering with life.
Duluth Festival Opera leaves Duluth
According to Artistic Director Craig Fields, the DFO simply is not receiving the kind of community financial support it needs to survive, so he's going to move it to the Twin Cities.