Tourism Tips

Welcome to Northeast Minneapolis Arts District. Named the #1 Arts District in the country in the USA Today 10 Best Reader’s Choice Travel Awards 2015 and 2022! This is where most of Northeast's arts buildings and activity are concentrated.

Link to more downloadable maps.

If you’re here on a First Thursday, Second Saturday, or any Saturday, you’ll find selected studios open in selected buildings. Find locations through links in the “Visit” drop-down menu. Art-A-Whirl®, our biggest event, is the third Friday-Saturday-Sunday of May. Holiday shopping open studios are generally first Friday-Saturday-Sunday of November, with some additional weekend events at specific buildings or studios. In 2023, the fall events are the 10th-11-12th of November.

To explore the many artists who are members of Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association (producer of Art-A-Whirl) go to their website here. The list is searchable by name, medium or by building – handy if you want to set up individual appointments prior to your visit. Note: NEMAA’s list also includes artists from outside of Northeast and the District, who visit for major events.  

Looking for places to eat or lift a glass? Check out Destination NE powered by the Northeast Chamber.

Looking for a History of the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District? – here is a PDF – includes an overview of buildings.

The walkable, visually-interesting neighborhoods of the arts district are dotted with murals, sculptures, and functional art. While most artists come and go with no set public hours, it’s fun exploring the hallways of buildings where one can soak in the ethos of The Arts At Work (SM) through what they post on and outside their doors. These locations are equally car- and bike-friendly.

Here are 10 suggestions for informal jumping off points, listed clockwise from upper left (Lowry and Marshall) – start anywhere.

#1 - Lowry and Marshall

Park in the lot shared by MWMO (Mississippi Watershed Management Organization) and Tony Jaros’ River Garden Bar. Tour the MWMO site’s art and stormwater management in front, contemplate the river at the end of the winding path behind the building and see the Welcome to Northeast mural to the north. Sign by James Brenner. Mural by Kyle Holdridge.

Lowry & Marshall
MWMO sculpture by James Brenner

#2 - 22nd Avenue and California Street NE

The California Building’s entryway and grounds integrate art and sculpture. See Max Rabitat by Mary Johnson across 22nd guarding the California Street Urban Farm. Stop for a bite and more art at Mojo Coffee Gallery. During business hours, wander the California Building halls to the On2 Gallery (second floor, north end) and look out over the Lowry Avenue bridge and neighborhood from hallway windows on upper floors. Daeskarone by Peyton Scott Russell, Bon Chance by Andrew MacGuffie. Building entry stained glass by Phil Daniel.

Entrance to the California Building

#3 - 23rd Avenue to 22nd Avenue and Washington Street NE

Public and functional art on the grounds of Hook & Ladder Apartments and a great vantage point for railroad fans. Hook & Ladder sign, benches, bike rack and trash receptacles on site by Lisa Elias, Passages by James Brenner (hoops), Static (red tree) by Aaron Dysart, Fire Hose Bike Racks by L. John Andrew. Note: The building’s name is a nod to the Firefighters Museum nearby. Three art buildings near the intersection of 22nd and Washington will open for special events or by appointment – see  hollandartsnempls.com for individual artists.

Hook & Ladder Apartments
Holland Arts East

#4 - Lowry Avenue and Howard Street NE (2505 Howard)

The Flux Arts Building is home to over-the-top tiled (Josh Blanc) bathrooms which you’re welcome to use. “Whatever, just wash your hands.” Buy a souvenir switchplate or fanciful polymer clay creation (Layl McDill), or get a start on planning a backsplash or fireplace surround at Clay Squared to Infinity; sconces, sinks or other home projects at Potek Glass. Lights above windows on Flux Arts Building, Lowry Avenue side by Malcom Potek.

Flux Building entrance on Howard

#5 - Food & Brew along Central Avenue

If it’s time to stop for a sandwich or brew, Central Avenue is just a few blocks east with many options. Eastside Food Cooperative hosts one of the District’s longer murals on its north side, at 26th and Central by Four Story Collective and Creatives After Curfew. The co-op offers groceries, grab-and-go or sit with a smoothie. The co-op’s mural and the mural on 2300 Central Ave. NE are products of the Mural Central project of the Northeast Chamber, Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association and Public Functionary. More are in the works to be finished in 2022.  

Eastside Food Co-op

#6 - Public Art near Edison High School, Jackson Square

A collection of Corten (weathering) steel sculptures and the Innovation backstop surrounds Jackson Park and the Edison High School campus, at 22nd Avenue NE and Monroe Street. All are by James Brenner, whose first piece, Flux, is surrounded by words contributed through a community process. Over several years, Brenner has engaged community in iron pours in Jackson Square Park. His most recent installation is at the corner of Monroe and 22nd reminiscent of the river (includes the grasses and embedded map). Chains take the place of water, and the sculpture could eventually be rigged to be a fountain. Wayfinding signage explains the many “green campus” elements at Edison High School.

James Brenner Sculpture at the Edison High School. The LED lights were programmed to turn green when Holland Neighborhood residents reached a self-reported energy use reduction goal.

#7 - West of Central, 18th Avenue NE south to Broadway Street NE

From 18th Avenue NE south to Broadway Street NE, west of Central are dotted several arts buildings, our most concentrated area. The Thorp Building, at 18th and Central is the home of Brickmania, Diamonds Coffee, and Michael Birawer’s surrealist paintings of urban settings and related merch.  To the west, “The Sculpture Quad” tucked within the Casket Arts compound at 17th and Jefferson, is used for works-in-progress sculptures as well as finished semi-permanent works and a mural on the side of the NE Sculpture | Gallery Factory. Obelisk by Peyton Scott Russell, other works as marked on site or in progress. Picnic table open to guests!

Casket Arts Building

#8 - Northrup King Building (NKB) and Solar Arts Building

South of the railroad that crosses Central south of 18th are the Northrup King Building (NKB) at 1500 Jackson St. NE which houses hundreds of artists, galleries and art businesses, some open regular hours. Indeed Brewery at the Solar Arts Building (15th and Monroe) and a handful of restaurant options are west of NKB along Quincy or into the neighborhoods. Solar Arts displays an uplifting, energizing mural at their back parking lot. Solar Arts Fauna by Los Maestros de los Murales: Rodrigo Oñate Roco, Joshe Montaño, Gustavo Lira Garcia and Victor Yepez.

Northrup King Building
Solor Arts Building Mural -visible at the Monroe Street parking lot.

#9 - 13th Avenue - University Avenue to the Mississippi River 

13th Avenue from about University to the Mississippi River is the heart of the Arts District shopping-wise. With gift, home and book stores and several places for food and drink, you’ll discover murals and public art along an also residential corridor, immensely walkable. Theater Latté Da, the city’s only all-musical theater, is here. Continue west to the river and you’ll find a contemplative peace-inspiring memorial just beyond the former brewery buildings. A public playground is to the north. Sheridan Memorial Park sculpture and 11 markers by Robert Smart. Sculptor Zoran Mojsilov just might be working on a piece outdoors near the park.

13th Ave photo by Mike Madison

#10 - 17th Avenue and Second St. NE

If you approach from the south up Second Street you’ll see the “art cows” in the rain garden outside Sentyrz Market and Liquor Store. On the grounds of East Side Neighborhood Services, Inc. (ESNS) are several sculptures. Uplift by Ben Janssens, Lizard Lounge by Mary Johnson, other pieces as marked on site. ESNS is located on former industrial land where a factory burned, leaving only their former office building across Second which is now NE Wellness.

Studio Buildings in Arts District

Galleries