Minnesota Arts

Critical DMs: Highland Park home revives Dayton’s holiday magic
A St. Paul homeowner has rescued and restored iconic Dayton’s holiday elves, creating a nostalgic display reminiscent of the department store’s beloved 8th-floor holiday show, enchanting visitors and preserving Minnesota tradition.
From Timberwolves to State Fair werewolves: Joe Mande’s comedy special makes many Minnesota connections
Joe Mande’s new Hulu comedy special, “Chill,” filmed at the Parkway Theater in Minneapolis in January 2024, humorously explores his Minnesota roots, including experiences with the Timberwolves, the State Fair and the vibrant local comedy scene.
The M’s New Wing and exhibition glow after $14M renovation and expansion
At the Minnesota Museum of American Art, newly commissioned Native works and a broad range of historic and contemporary art are displayed together in the expanded New Wing, creating a setting that centers Indigenous perspectives.
The final Art Hounds of 2024 looks at children’s books and the art of recovery
Art Hounds recommend the Twin Ports exhibit “Loaded” by Duluth artists Rob Quisling and Jonathan Thunder and “Journey to Joy: Rise, Relevance, Representation in Children’s Picture Books.”
The last ‘A Very Die Hard Christmas’: A seasonal theater tradition comes to an end
The 113th and final performance of “A Very Die Hard Christmas,” a popular Twin Cities holiday tradition and musical farce inspired by the debated status of “Die Hard” as a Christmas movie, will take place on Dec. 21 at Bryant Lake Bowl & Theater, ending a decade-long run due to the cast’s desire to conclude on a high note and focus on family.
‘A symbol of home’ — A new theft tour at the Judy Garland Museum as the ruby slippers go to auction
The Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids is hosting Ruby Slipper Theft Guided Tours detailing the infamous 2005 theft of the iconic “Wizard of Oz” shoes, as the museum prepares to bid for their return at a high-profile auction, hoping to bring them back to Judy Garland’s hometown as a tribute to her legacy.
‘Realization of community dreams’ — Minneapolis arts center breaks ground on major expansion
Pillsbury House + Theatre broke ground on the Pillsbury Creative Commons, a South Minneapolis expansion featuring artist housing, a theater tech training scene shop and a new KRSM Radio studio, set to open in July 2025 as a long-awaited community investment.
Woman to Woman: Artist Hend Al-Mansour celebrates women and Islamic art
Hend Al-Mansour’s new exhibition, “Contain Me,” opening Nov. 23 at SOO Visual Art Center in Minneapolis, celebrates Khadijah and Hafsah, wives of the Prophet Muhammad, through kaleidoscopic video animations and painted illustrations that honor their influence on early Islam while reclaiming Al-Mansour’s place as a woman in Islamic art.
Art Hounds: The M gets bigger, student-curated Black joy and fancy chairs you can’t sit on
Art Hounds discuss the expanded Minnesota Museum of Art’s new wing, a show curated by students at the University of Minnesota about Black joy and a new exhibit with 20 chairs and five mini golf holes.
The glamour unravels: ‘Cabaret’s’ haunting echoes of denial and hope
The University of Minnesota’s production of “Cabaret” blends dazzling performances with a chilling exploration of denial, humanity and political upheaval, reflecting the timeless relevance of its themes.