Twin Cities Art & Culture

Cultural history is on display at just about every turn in the Twin Cities.  As rich as the area is in local history, it is also a mecca of cultural diversity that is filled with museums, theaters, concert halls, galleries, nature centers, and performing arts venues.

The Twin Cities are second only the New York City in the number of theater seats per capita and number of arts activities per capita.  And the jazz scene in Minneapolis is one of the most active in the country. 

There are three Tony Award winning theaters in Minneapolis alone:  the Guthrie Theater, the Theater de la Jeune Lune, and the Children's Theater Company.

The Minneapolis-Saint Paul region has a long-standing tradition of philanthropic donations for the arts.  This tradition began with some of the area's wealthiest families including the Daytons, Pillsburys, and McKnights.  Today, the vast majority of funding comes from individuals, foundations, and local corporations such as 3M, Best Buy, Target, and General Mills.

The local arts scene has seen an unrivaled boom in recent years through the development and expansion of local art museums and facilities.  Over $500 million dollars has gone into the local art scene to fund these projects.  It's not surprising that the Twin Cities is now gaining national attention for its cultural impact.

A few trips to various venues simply won't scratch the surface of all that Minneapolis-Saint Paul has to offer. Here are listings of some of our unique offerings; this is merely a sampling of the tremendous amount of our performance venues, museums, and cultural icons:

  • Ordway Center for Performing Arts - A popular venue for Broadway style performances.  Also houses the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and Minnesota Opera.
  • Guthrie Theater - A landmark building and architectural masterpiece in downtown Minneapolis.  See a play, concert, or comedy show. Attend one of the classes or activities geared to children, adults, or corporate professionals. Enjoy views of the Mississippi River and Minneapolis skyline from the Endless Bridge observatory.
  • Northeast Arts District - An eclectic, fun neighborhood where artists open their studios on the first Thursday of each month.  This is a great way to meet local artists and check out art on an informal basis.
  • VocalEssence Singers - Based in Minneapolis, VocalEssence is recognized internationally for innovative exploration of music for voices and instruments. The concerts and sounds are unmatched in the variety and quality of each performance.  VocalEssence is comprised of the 120-voice Chorus and the 32-voice Ensemble Singers along with soloists and instrumentalists.
  • James Sewell Ballet - Enjoy a critically-acclaimed performance with innovative choreography and exceptional dancers.  The ballet company holds regular performances throughout Minnesota and through several US states.
  • Theater de la Jeune Lune - The Theater's name means "Theatre of the New Moon" and reflects the commitment to finding theatrical sustenance by looking for the new in the old.  Located in the Warehouse District of Minneapolis, the theater puts on its own productions regularly in addition to hosting a number of unique performance events each year.  The shows often play a new spin on old classics and seek to engage the audience by creating lively performances.
  • Minneapolis Sculpture Garden - Contains 40 permanent creations.  The main attraction is the Spoonbridge and Cherry which is the largest urban sculpture in the country.
  • The Loft Literary Center -   Originally founded in 1974 in a loft above a Minneapolis bookstore, the Loft is now the nation's largest and most comprehensive literary center.  It seeks to promote the artistic development of writers and an appreciation for literature by offering programs and services for readers and writers. You can take a creative writing class, enter a writing competition, or attend a special presentation by a favorite Minnesota writer.
  • Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra - A full-time professional chamber orchestra guided by highly regarded conductors and containing some award-winning musicians.