Twin Cities Guide to Free Culture
By Nicole Crosbie
The Twin Cities offer a variety of cultural experiences and many of them are free. Whether you enjoy art, nature or history, there is a museum that fits your interest. Here are some free opportunities.
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
2400 Third Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55404
With a permanent collection of over 80,000 art objects, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts allows its visitors to enjoy a wide array of photographs, sculptures, paintings and more from around the world.
Exhibition categories include: arts of Africa & the Americas, contemporary art, decorative arts, textiles & sculpture, Asian art, paintings, photography and new media prints and drawings and textiles. The museum is open six days a week and admission is free to all ages.
Walker Art Center
Walker Art Center
1750 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55403
With indoor and outdoor exhibits (the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, located adjacent to the Walker, is free and open daily from 6:00 a.m.-midnight), permanent collections, classes, lectures and scheduled dance, theatre and music performances, the Walker Art Center offers unique cultural experiences. The Walker Art Center is free the first Saturday of each month from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and Thursdays, sponsored by Target, from 5:00-9:00 p.m.
Minnesota History Center
Minnesota History Center
345 W. Kellogg Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55102
This interactive museum allows for a better understanding of Minnesota's past, present and future. Visitors have access to Minnesotan artifacts, books, photographs, paintings, prints, drawings, manuscripts, government records, newspapers and periodicals. An interactive multimedia show allows people to see things like Minnesota weather patterns and how a tornado is formed. Admission is free Tuesday evenings from 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Minneapolis College of Art and Design
Minneapolis College of Art and Design
2501 Stevens Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55404
Open seven days a week, admission to the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) art exhibits are always free. Visitors can enjoy a variety of artwork from students and faculty at MCAD and are able to support local talent.
Bell Museum of Natural History
Bell Museum of Natural History
10 Church Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
If you enjoy agriculture more than art, the Bell Museum of Natural History is a good option for you. This museum features scientific collections, with animals and plants comprising the majority of the museum.
Admission is free daily to University of Minnesota students and faculty daily and free to the general public on Sundays from noon-5:00 p.m.
Nicole Crosbie loves fashion and shopping, she has lived in Minnesota her whole life and loves finding new places to shop, eat and explore in the Twin Cities. She has degrees in public relations and psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
