Spend the day exploring Minneapolis’ vibrant art community.

The Twin Cities Metro, but especially Minneapolis, has an incredibly rich art scene. Whether you’re a native or just visiting for the weekend, get a taste of what Minneapolis museums have to offer — without spending a dime.

STOP 1: M.C.A.D. STUDENT GALLERY

2501 Stevens Ave.

• Monday to Friday: 9 a.m – 7 p.m.
• Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Closed Sundays

The Minneapolis College of Art and Design’s gallery (right next door to the Minneapolis Institute of Art) showcases artwork made by M.C.A.D. students and faculty, along with its permanent collection. The gallery varies throughout the year as different students present their projects; you never really know what you’re gonna get. There might be metal work sculptures that stand over ten feet tall, technicolor comic strips, or delicately woven wicker furniture. With work coming out of a school as diverse as M.C.A.D., the only guarantee is that you won’t be bored.

HOT TIP! Expect freebies — stickers, zines, and more!

STOP 2: WALKER ARTS CENTER SCULPTURE GARDEN

725 Vineland Place

• 6 a.m. – midnight, Monday to Sunday

If you find yourself at the MSP Airport gift shop, you’re sure to see postcards of the Walker’s sculpture garden, keychains with cherries on spoons, or T-shirts with blue roosters on them. Granted, if you’ve seen it once, well, you’ve seen it. But locals still return to the sculpture garden time and time again. Young parents beg their children to stop climbing the rooster, and the townies take their midday jogs across the park. That’s the beauty of public art — its use is left in the hands of the public.

HOT TIP! Beware the restaurant attached to the Walker; it’s not cheap. Consider grabbing lunch somewhere nearby and bringing it with you while you’re enjoying the art.

STOP 3: ALL MY RELATIONS ARTS

1414 E. Franklin Ave. 

• Tuesday to Friday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Saturday: 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
• Closed Sunday and Monday

This next stop is a perfect blend of arts and culture. The Minneapolis arts scene embraces and celebrates the American Indian population, with many galleries dedicated to showcasing their work. All My Relations Arts (AMRA) stands out for its distinct contemporary edge, with nods to pop culture and an embrace of bright, pop-art-like approaches.

HOT TIP! Get a coffee pick-me-up at Pow Wow Grounds Coffee House, which is in the same building as AMRA.

STOP 4: PUBLIC FUNCTIONARY

1500 Jackson St. NE, Studio 144

• Tuesday to Friday: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
• Saturday: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
• Closed Sunday to Tuesday

Public Functionary is an artist-run gallery that hosts multiple exhibitions each year. Some curators are visiting artists, and others are staff members. Public Functionary’s mission is to uplift marginalized voices, who often find community in the arts. Depending on your energy level, this could be a shorter or longer end to your day. If you have the bandwidth, linger a bit and chat up the artists who will inevitably be hanging around their studios. They’re the ones that keep Minneapolis’ vibrant art community alive.

Words: Stella Pihlstrom