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.

Cube Critics: Stay up to date with our weekly art and culture chats with MPR News’ Jacob Aloi, Alex V. Cipolle, Max Sparber, Aron Woldeslassie and guests. Listen to or read Cube Critics here

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.

National cigarettes, banned pop songs and memory oceans: Minneapolis Iranian artists show work about diaspora
The exhibition “So Far, So Close” features works by Iranian-born artists Ziba Rajabi, Shirin Ghoraishi and Katayoun Amjadi, exploring themes of displacement, memory and identity.
‘It’s a different sense of time and space’: New art exhibit aims to help process grief
A new interactive art exhibition opening Thursday in Minneapolis dares us to begin to process what’s happening in our world. It’s called “Legacy Dream Space” and it includes video projection, theater, digital art and music.
‘This is rehearsal for life’: Mixed Blood Theatre takes on thorny topics
Discussions of political topics, even among like-minded people, can be difficult. And finding a neutral place to have them can be even harder. As part of our Talking Sense series, reporter Jacob Aloi goes to a Minneapolis theater company creating a space for these conversations, through food and performance.
James Earl Jones, acclaimed actor and voice of Darth Vader, dies at 93
James Earl Jones, who overcame racial prejudice and a severe stutter to become a celebrated icon of stage and screen — eventually lending his deep, commanding voice to CNN, “The Lion King” and Darth Vader — has died. He was 93.
HUGE Improv Theater, a Minneapolis comedy hub for nearly 20 years, to close in October
Due to financial challenges, HUGE Improv Theater in Minneapolis will close permanently at the end of October. The announcement comes less than a month after two leaders resigned amid concerns about diversity and inclusion.
Danzy Senna’s new novel is an exhilarating yet poignant riff on the struggling artist as a wannabe middle-aged sellout. The writing is endlessly quotable and meaningfully provocative.
'Shogun' wins record-breaking 14 Emmys at Creative Arts ceremony as Jamie Lee Curtis gets her first
“Shogun” won a whopping 14 times at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards. That's the most Emmys ever won by a show for a single season. Jamie Lee Curtis won her first career Emmy for best actress in a comedy series for her work on “The Bear."