Minneapolis Arts & Cultural Affairs

06/16/2026

Happy Juneteenth! Join Blackbird Revolt for Freedom in Motion, a community run, ride, and celebration. Hosted by Blackbird Revolt in partnership with The Loppet Foundation, Sharp Signs, Cool Runnings, and Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls.

Freedom in Motion will start at Blackbird Revolt and travel through Minneapolis with different route options so everyone—no matter their experience level—can join in. During the journey, groups will stop at the Theodore Wirth Trailhead Building before continuing on to Sharp Sign Co. That’s where everyone will meet up to celebrate with coffee, music, photos, and community time.

Date: Friday, June 19
Time: 8 a.m.
Location: Blackbird Revolt, 1128 Harmon Place Suite 202

What to expect:

Free bike rentals available (limited quantity)
BYOBike encouraged
Music by DJ Awa
Photos by Graham Tolbert
Coffee and post-ride celebration at Sharp Signs

If you’d rather just join for the celebration afterward, you’re welcome to meet at Sharp Signs for the kickback. Learn more about the route options and RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/juneteenth-freedom-in-motion-tickets-1989401978872?aff=oddtdtcreator

This Arts & Culture Vibrant Storefronts is funded, in part, by the City of Minneapolis Arts & Cultural Affairs Department.

06/15/2026

Nobody's Waiting is a site‑responsive performance. There will be one show only, and admission is free. It will be presented on June 20 at the Nicollet Island Amphitheatre.

The performance features artistic direction by Lisa “Monalisa” Berman and Joseph “MN Joe” Tran, with original choreography created in collaboration with Gabriel Anderson, Leslie O’Neill, Wealthy Phonseya, and Marie Thayer. Nobody's Waiting also includes music composed by Michelle Kinney and performed by Michelle Kinney and Laura Harada.

Date: Saturday, June 20
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Nicollet Island Amphitheatre, 40 East Power Street, 55401

This Bridge Fund for Dance Activation is funded by the City of Minneapolis Arts & Cultural affairs department and is in partnership with Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) Community Events Department.

06/14/2026

Minneapolis Poet Laureate Junauda Petrus presents Movement Werk, a Juneteenth celebration. The event will include a dance party with DJ Dandara, poetry readings, community care, and time to imagine the future together. Featured artists include Junauda Petrus, A.E. Wynter, and youth poets from Black, Bold, & Brilliant.

Date: Saturday, June 20
Time: 3-7 p.m.
Location: Capri Theatre, 2027 W Broadway Ave, 55411

This program is funded, in part, by the City of Minneapolis Arts & Cultural Affairs Department, the Loft, and the Capri Theater.

06/12/2026

On June 13 Skn.tones open studio experience features Twitch streamer KK. He will be broadcasting select live segments directly from the studio, transforming the space into a digital experience.

Attendees will have the opportunity to watch the live production process, participate in select segments, engage with KK, and experience firsthand how online entertainment is created in real time. This event is designed to create meaningful interaction between creators and audiences while introducing new visitors to the Skntones space and broader creative community.

Date: Saturday, June 13
Time: Noon - 3 p.m.
Location: Skntones HQ, 1227 Hennepin Ave.

This Arts & Culture Vibrant Storefronts is funded, in part, by the City of Minneapolis Arts & Cultural Affairs Department.

06/11/2026

Public Functionary presents The Function 2026: "Block Party" featuring music, food, games and art on June 13.

The Function “Block Party” is a celebration of what makes our city so special – the resolve and creativity of our neighbors. Now more than ever it is important to come together to connect, reflect, process, and restore ourselves. All in all, this day is going to be a joyful expression of our love for the place we live, knowing that joy is an essential act of resistance and resilience.

Date: June 13
Time: 3 - 10 p.m.
Location: Northrup King, 1500 Jackson St N.E.
Free with registration: https://www.handstamp.com/e/the-function-block-party-rmm6v4fu?
This Cultural Districts Arts Fund activation is funded by the City of Minneapolis Arts & Cultural Affairs Department.

06/10/2026

An Ode to Being Right Until Someone Else Arrives is a new performance created for a site-specific location. The piece sits between a social interaction and a public performance, moving through quick connections, gentle moments, and changing relationships between being seen and staying in the background.

On June 12, witness choreography where many things try to be in the spotlight at once. Ideas appear, fade, and come back in new ways. A center of focus forms by accident, and agreement is always fragile.

The performance features Brian Evans, Gabriel Rodreick, Hannah Mackenzie-Margulies, Laurie Van Wieren, Miriana Shinar-Baker, Taja Will, Waswa Kalema, and Anat Shinar.

Date: Friday, June 12
Time: 8:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Location: Lobby of the Cowles Center for Dance and the Performing Arts,
528 Hennepin Ave, 55403
Tickets: $0 - pick-your-price

RSVP & learn more at https://dancemn.org/submissions/anat-shinar-presents-an-ode-to-being-right-until-someone-else-arrives/

This activity is made possible by the Bridge Fund for Dance program through the City of Minneapolis Arts & Cultural Affairs.

06/10/2026

Fakoly Drum & Dance Conference June 12 - June 14 at the University of Barbara Barker Center for Dance.

Hosted by Fode Seydou Bangoura Fakoly, this workshop gives participants an authentic and culturally rich experience in West African drumming and dance. Instruction is led by expert drummers and dancers from Guinea, Mali, and Nigeria. These artists are dedicated to teaching others about traditional West African music and movement.

People of all ages and skill levels—beginners through advanced—are welcome to join hand‑drumming and dance classes.

Dates: June 12 - June 14
Location: University of Barbara Barker Center for Dance, 500 21st Avenue S.

This Cultural Districts Art Fund program activity is funded by the Arts & Cultural Affairs Department in the City of Minneapolis. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

06/09/2026

Join The Dream Shop and Respect All Fear None Entertainment for a fun night of music and good vibes at our Monthly Open Mic Session. This will be the last "Roots & Rhythm" Series and our last Open Mic at The Dream Shop.

This is an all-ages show, and admission is free, invite a friend to attend with you. Doors will open at 6pm for networking and mingling. Open Mic sign-ups will start at 6:30pm - show begins at 7:30pm.

Date: Thursday, June 11
Time: 6 - 10 p.m.
Location: The Dream Shop, 3701 Fremont Ave N

Interested in performing mail at [email protected]
Learn more at: https://www.thedreamshopmpls.com/

This Cultural Districts Arts Fund activation is funded by the City of Minneapolis Arts & Cultural Affairs Department. See less

06/05/2026

Join thousands of fans tomorrow, June 6 for a free, all-ages community sing-along celebrating the music and legacy of Prince as part of the annual Prince Celebration. 1st Ave will be transformed into a living tribute to Prince Roger Nelson where thousands will come together, voices united, to celebrate the music and spirit that continues to define a city.

This community sing-along celebrates the music and legacy of Prince as part of the annual Prince Celebration. The outdoor event will take place near the downtown Prince mural by Hiero Veiga at 101 N. Ninth St., on the day before what would have been the Purple One’s 68th birthday.

Date: Saturday, June 6
Time: 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. - Rain or Shine
Location: Prince Mural, 101 North 9th St. Minneapolis 55403
Wear: Purple, Prince-inspired outfits, sequins, boas, wigs, makeup, jewelry, vintage and fashion!

This is more than a sing-along. This is a moment. Learn more at https://www.paisleypark.com/celebration2026blockparty?

06/04/2026

The Emergency Relief Fund (ERF) provides $500 dollars for short-term, rapid relief to artists facing unexpected expenses or loss of income due to personal/professional emergencies or natural disasters. Possible emergencies include illness or injury, loss of housing, contract cancellation, legal assistance, or other disruptive events that impact an artist’s wellbeing or ability to work.

There are four grant rounds available for funding through 2026:
Round 8: Opens May 11, closes June 12
Round 9: Opens June 15, closes July 10
Round 10: Opens July 13, closes Aug.14
Round 11: Open Aug. 17, closes Sept. 11

Visit mrac.org/home/grant-application-steps/emergency-relief-fund/ to learn more about the Emergency Relief Fund. The Artists Emergency Relief Fund Network is stewarded by Springboard for the Arts and supported by the F. R Bigelow Foundation, Jerome Foundation, McKnight Foundation, and the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation.

Providing up to $500 dollars for short-term, rapid relief to artists facing personal, professional, or community-wide emergency.