What to Expect During Twin Cities Art Week

October 15, 20245 Mins Read

Twin Cities Art Week, happening from Oct. 16 to 20, brings together galleries and museums for a week of workshops, live performances, exhibition walkthroughs, film screenings, and artist talks highlighting contemporary art across the Cities.

The catalyst of the event is Rebecca Heidenberg and her gallery, Dreamsong. Heidenberg started the event three years ago after moving from New York City and opening her Northeast gallery. Unlike her old stomping grounds, Heidenberg found the Twin Cities art world more spread out geographically and institutionally, creating a disconnect between galleries, artists, and patrons.

“I’ve learned that even people who have lived here for many years and seek out art in other cities, aren’t necessarily aware of what’s going on here in the arts and aren’t always actively supporting and engaging with the local art scene,” Heidenberg said.

To remedy this and help establish her own gallery, she created the Twin Cities Art Week, which this year boasts 25 different venues. From Wednesday to Sunday, four to seven programs are available back to back so participants can mosey from one event to another. The week brings together larger institutions with smaller non-profit spaces, artist-run spaces and university and commercial galleries getting everyone involved in their mission.

“I initiated Twin Cities Art Week in the hopes of creating awareness about the vibrant contemporary art scene here and building community,” Heidenberg says.

The event includes walkthroughs of galleries and exhibitions, including Aftershocks at Mia with JoAnn Verburg and J. White’s exhibition Arikara Proper. There will be film screenings, talkthroughs, conversations with artists, and interactive painting and printmaking sessions.

“I hope attendees discover great art at the incredible venues and people continue actively engaging and supporting these spaces year-round,” Heidenberg says.

For a full schedule of events visit the Twin Cities Art Week website.

Participating venues: