Minneapolis Arts & Cultural Affairs

Minneapolis Arts & Cultural Affairs Art in Public Places has been a regular part of the City’s Capital Improvement program since 1992.

Our mission is to support a diverse arts and cultural environment that recognizes Minneapolis' artists and organizations, reflects civic concerns, and enriches lives. It is a program of Cultural Affairs in the Department of Community Planning and Economic Development Planning Division and is overseen by the City’s Public Arts Administrator. More than three dozen projects have been commissioned through Art in Public Places. Information on a number of them is featured on the Public Art Map. Art and Public Places has worked with the Minneapolis Arts Commission to develop City of Minneapolis Public Art Policies in several areas, including: site and artist selection, maintenance; gifts and loans, deaccession, and community involvement.

The Family Gathering Concert Series continues throughout the fall with free performances at venues across Minneapolis, i...
09/30/2026

The Family Gathering Concert Series continues throughout the fall with free performances at venues across Minneapolis, including Hook and Ladder, The Capri, Dakota, The Parkway Theater, Animales Barbeque Co., Pilllar FORUM Café & Bar, Green Room, The Cedar Cultural Center, and a finale at First Avenue on November 8.

At a time when many families have experienced disruption and uncertainty, creating opportunities for our kids and neighbors to come together matters. Music has always been part of Minneapolis' story, and we're proud to see it being used to bring our community together.

Come out, support local artists and venues, and enjoy some free music with the family! Learn more and RSVP for free at https://app.opendate.io/c/mniva-805

Join Bowls and Spoons Harvest Feast for a community meal and celebration on Sat. October 3.Attendees share a community m...
09/29/2026

Join Bowls and Spoons Harvest Feast for a community meal and celebration on Sat. October 3.

Attendees share a community meal served in handmade ceramic bowls with hand-forged spoons, all made by community members through our summer workshop series with Mudluk Pottery and Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center

The Feast includes live DJ programming and possible broadcast by KRSM Radio. Handmade bowl-and-spoon sets are available for purchase to seed next year's Feast, but no purchase is required — everyone is fed.

Date: Sat. Oct 3
Time: 3 - 8 p.m.
Location: Chicago Fire Arts Center, 3700 block of Chicago Ave
Learn more at https://www.cafac.org/bowls-and-spoons

Accommodation requests: Jhyle Rinker, [email protected]

This Cultural Districts Art Fund program activity is funded, in part, by the Arts & Cultural Affairs Department in the City of Minneapolis

Only 10 more days to apply to become the next Poet Laureate of Minneapolis!The City of Minneapolis and the Loft are seek...
09/28/2026

Only 10 more days to apply to become the next Poet Laureate of Minneapolis!

The City of Minneapolis and the Loft are seeking applications for the next Minneapolis Poet Laureate! The Poet Laureate serves as an ambassador for Minneapolis' literary culture, using poetry to connect and engage our community. As an advocate for poetry in Minneapolis, the poet laureate will engage the community in meaningful, impactful, and innovative projects.

Apply by Oct. 7 at 11:59 p.m. CST
Learn more at: https://loft.org/awards/minneapolis-poet-laureate

Join Open Streets Hennepin, a celebration of community, creativity, and car-free fun in the heart of Uptown Minneapolis!...
09/26/2026

Join Open Streets Hennepin, a celebration of community, creativity, and car-free fun in the heart of Uptown Minneapolis!

Artists, musicians, makers, nonprofits, food vendors, and businesses are all invited to take part in the 2026 Hennepin Ave Open Streets. Registration includes a designated space along the route and promotion through our website, map, and event materials.

Register by Sept. 29 at https://www.uptownminneapolis.com/open-streets-hennepin/

Date: Sunday, Oct. 11
Time: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: 26th Street to 36th Street on Hennepin Ave.

Open Streets Hennepin is proudly presented in partnership with the City of Minneapolis, working together to promote vibrant, people-centered streets that celebrate community, support local businesses, and create safe, car-free spaces for all to enjoy.

Learn about all of the City of Minneapolis 2026 Open Streets locations: https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/programs-initiatives/open-streets/

Sky Poems, featuring flags by A.P. Looze is a poetry and flag‑raising event celebrating Minneapolis after Operation Metr...
09/25/2026

Sky Poems, featuring flags by A.P. Looze is a poetry and flag‑raising event celebrating Minneapolis after Operation Metro Surge. The event will include poetry by Heid E. Erdrich, Danez Smith, and Junauda Petrus. will also be on display.

UPDATE: This event has been moved to Sept. 27
Date: Saturday Sept 26 (postponed due to expected rain)
Time: 2-4 p.m.
Location: Land Stewardship Flagpole 821 East 35th Street, Minneapolis MN 55407

This Cultural Districts Arts Fund activation is funded in part, by the City of Minneapolis Arts & Cultural Affairs Department.

Join in on the fun, free Line Dancing every Thursday Night!Hearts Healing Hearts is hosting fun, inclusive line dancing ...
09/24/2026

Join in on the fun, free Line Dancing every Thursday Night!

Hearts Healing Hearts is hosting fun, inclusive line dancing sessions in North Minneapolis. Whether you are a beginner or professional, all are welcome to move, grove and connect. Hearts in Motion promotes heart health, physical activity, social connection, and wellness through movement, stretching, chair exercises, and education.

When: Every Thursday Night
Time: 6 - 8 p.m.
Where: North Commons Park, 1801 James Ave North, Minneapolis 55411

Learn more: https://heartshealingheartscpr.com/

This Cultural Districts Art Fund program activity is funded by the Arts & Cultural Affairs Department in the City of Minneapolis.

The McKnight Foundation announced that Heid E. Erdrich is their 2026 Distinguished Artist. Heid is Ojibwe and enrolled a...
09/23/2026

The McKnight Foundation announced that Heid E. Erdrich is their 2026 Distinguished Artist. Heid is Ojibwe and enrolled at Turtle Mountain. For more than thirty years, she has worked to broaden what poetry can be and who it can reach.

In 2024, she became the first Poet Laureate of Minneapolis. She ended her term with a poem called “Poem for Minneapolis/Bde Otá Othuŋwé/Gakaabikaang.” This poem takes readers through a full year in Minneapolis, describing its people, neighborhoods, and seasons. To create it, Erdrich invited community members to events where they read poetry and wrote together. TJ Turner then created a short film based on the poem, marking the end of Erdrich’s service as the 2024 Poet Laureate.

This video is on the City of Minneapolis YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKgE0OFD3CM

Skntones is bringing together some of the Twin Cities' emerging talent for NEXT UP: Talent Showcase on Sept 25 for a nig...
09/23/2026

Skntones is bringing together some of the Twin Cities' emerging talent for NEXT UP: Talent Showcase on Sept 25 for a night of live performances, music, creativity, and community.

After an open audition process featuring local creatives from across the community, 8–10 selected finalists will take over Skn.

The showcase will feature a variety of local talent, including musicians, singers, rappers, dancers, spoken-word artists, DJs, and other performers. Guests will be invited into the Skntones space for an evening of live performances, music, networking, community connection, and creativity.

Date: Sept. 25
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Skntones HQ, 1227 Hennepin Ave, 55404
Follow www.instagram.com/skntones/ for performer announcements and event updates.

This Arts & Cultural Vibrant Storefronts is funded by the City of Minneapolis Arts & Cultural Affairs Department

Call for Artists to create public artwork for Graco Park Tunnel. The City is seeking artists with the capacity to work i...
09/21/2026

Call for Artists to create public artwork for Graco Park Tunnel.

The City is seeking artists with the capacity to work in a range of materials and a range of scales. The selected artist will design and create artwork on the tunnel interior. This bike and pedestrian tunnel connect Hall’s and Boom Islands under the Plymouth Ave Bridge. Graco Park and the connecting trails opened in 2025.

Dates and deadlines:
Monday, Oct. 5 at 5 p.m. – Virtual informational meeting
Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 4 p.m. – Deadline to email your questions
Friday, Oct. 9 – Review the posted questions and answers document
Monday, Oct. 26 at 5 p.m. – Upload and submit a completed application

Contact Witt Siasoco for more information. Learn more and apply at https://www.minneapolismn.gov/call-for-artists/

Navigating the Shift, an art exhibition at to PLOT Gallery. This group exhibition features Ta-Coumba T. Aiken, Christoph...
09/20/2026

Navigating the Shift, an art exhibition at to PLOT Gallery. This group exhibition features Ta-Coumba T. Aiken, Christopheraaron Deanes, Christopher E. Harrison and Seitu Jones four established Twin Cities artists.

Twin Cities artist, Christopher Harrison and Tacoumba T. Aiken will each be hosting workshops on Sunday, September 27 at the PLOT Gallery, located at 3730 Chicago Ave S, Suite A.

Christopher E. Harrison engages the community in a workshop centered on identity, representation, and the many dimensions of Blackness and the Black experience. Through dialogue, personal reflection, and collaborative portrait-making, participants explore how individual and collective stories contribute to broader narratives of Black history and culture. Materials will be supplied but you can also bring your own if interested.
Time: 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Cost: Free to attend

Tacoumba T. Aiken and the community explore how spaces, stories, and cultural histories can be reflected, preserved, and passed on amid social and environmental change. Participants connect with their own family histories while contributing to a large-scale abstract tapestry — drawn from the patterns, traditions, and experiences that shape our communities. We will be drawing and painting on canvas to create this community mural.

Time: 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Cost: Free to attend

RSVP at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScKzG1SV2bpTaIQ-6avyZLYFWGN1TlpGIjvd7UvKCXLYXNoVg/viewform

This Cultural Districts Arts Fund activation is funded in part, by the City of Minneapolis Arts & Cultural Affairs Department

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