Consider our list a starting point rather than a comprehensive roundup. As any local art hound will happily tell you, there are countless other incredible galleries lurking just beneath the surface within the Twin Cities. 

Or as the acclaimed Minneapolis photographer Alec Soth put it in a recent interview, “My first [major show] was at this little place called Icebox Quality Framing and Gallery. It let me [experiment] rather than get locked into a certain way of making work. 

He continued, "That’s great for a young artist. It’s like how bands do little shows so they can find their voice before they record an album.” 

MINNEAPOLIS

Exhibited Artists: Laura Youngbird, Frank Buffalo Hyde, Stina Folkebrant 

Exhibited Artists: Pao Houa Her, Lissa Karpeh, Leslie Barlow

DREAMSONG 

Founded in 2021, Dreamsong has quickly become a vital part of the local gallery scene. Its exhibitions draw from local, national, and international artists alike, offering the Twin Cities a channel to see fresh, contemporary work from elsewhere and giving a platform to local artists who produce quality work.  

One regular visitor said, "I've been continually impressed with the shows that Dreamsong hosts. The directors [Gregory Smith and Rebecca Heidenberg] have a wonderfully keen sense for fresh work that also carries a deep trust in the artists' vision. Their exhibitions balance local, national, and international artists, which is important in cultivating a healthy local arts community."  

Exhibited Artists: Tamar Ettun, Ilana Harris-Babou, Nicole Havekost

HAIR + NAILS 

In its eighth year, Hair + Nails is a very small space attracting national attention. A favorite among local artists and other galleries, it shows the work of young, often local artists with a strong creative voice and vision.  

Hair + Nails also maintains a DIY aesthetic, encouraging artists to select what work they show and how it is presented. Their openings are often packed and feel electric since founders Kristin Van Loon and Ryan Fontaine exude passion for and confidence in the artists they represent — something they’ve also brought to a second gallery in New York’s Chinatown neighborhood.  

Exhibited Artists: Cameron Patricia Downey, Rachel Collier, Maiya Hartman 

HIGHPOINT CENTER FOR PRINTMAKING 

The Highpoint Center for Printmaking offers on-site printmaking and learning in addition to its exhibitions. They also support printmakers at all career stages with a co-op where artists can create alongside one another, classes for students of all ages, exhibitions, and collaborative publishing alongside other contemporary artists. 

"It's a bustling hub for aspiring and established printmakers,” said Weinstein-Hammons gallerist Leslie Hammon. “I look forward to seeing their collaborations with both local artists, as well as national and international artists."  

According to a local artist, another draw is the wide range of artists shown, "from their LOOK/SEE exhibition showcasing works of fifth graders, to showcasing internationally renowned artists such as Julie Mehretu and Do Ho Suh. It's truly a space for all." 

Exhibited Artists: Nicola López, Jasper Duberry, Beth Dorsey  

PUBLIC FUNCTIONARY 

Located on the ground floor of the Northrup King Building, Public Functionary began as an experiment in what a gallery could be — an attempt to break down barriers of entry for people who might not otherwise feel comfortable in a gallery space. 

New York Magazine's longtime art critic (Jerry Saltz sat) on a panel of its inaugural show in 2013 and described what he saw in co-founder Tricia Heuring and the ethos that carries the gallery through to today: "I love people in the art world who take matters into their own hands, who learn on the job in public, who don't wait for the validation of whatever power structures are already in place." 

Public Functionary has two gallery spaces with rotating shows planned by a curatorial team that also works with guest curators. It is also home to PF Studios, a studio program that centers Black, Indigenous, and People of Color artists and cultural producers. Go to Public Functionary to see a wide variety of unique voices held together by a singular vision.  

One local artist characterized the gallery today: "I love the way they are changing the face of the Northeast Minneapolis art scene, creating access and a sense of belonging for a much broader community of artists and art lovers. It is such an emotional and physical relief to me to attend shows and events that center perspectives not often seen in the mainstream." 

Exhibited Artists: nouf saleh, BearBOI, Lissa Karpeh  

SOO VISUAL ARTS CENTER  

The Soo Visual Arts Center (soovac) prides itself on having shown the work of more than 2,800 underrepresented artists since opening in June 2001. The gallery is considered a staple of the Twin Cities art scene, known for its annual open-call selection process and for giving artists autonomy and freedom in exhibiting their work.  

"Carolyn and Alison are lovely people who truly advocate for the up-and-coming artist," said artist and curator Bo Young An. "They also showcase heavy-hitters in the art world. They always create a warm environment for all to enjoy the arts." 

One regular visitor echoed this sentiment: "Whenever I'm there, I feel empowered and inspired by the absolute clout that the Minnesota art scene can deliver."  

Exhibited Artists: Ta-Coumba Aiken, Caroline Kent, Roshan Ganu  

SOOMAAL HOUSE OF ART 

A community-oriented Somali art collective, Soomaal House of Art provides studio space, critiques, mentorships for younger artists, and an annual exhibition with educational programming. It also hosts screenings and talks throughout the year.  

"Soomaal House is a one-of-a-kind gallery and support system for Somali artists," shared multi-media artist Chris Larson of Second Shift Studio Space.  

Recent exhibitions include "diinsi about: Broadcast Signals," part of a mutual exchange initiative "of artists and artistic ideas across regions with a focus on Somali diaspora communities."  

Exhibited Artists: Faisa Omer, Siham Salah, Kaamil A. Haider 

WEINSTEIN HAMMONS GALLERY 

Formerly known simply as Weinstein, this gallery is a longtime institution in the local art scene focused on modern and contemporary photography. They exhibit around four shows annually, a balance of work by legendary photographers like Gordon Parks and Robert Mapplethorpe and rising local artists that are still under the radar. 

When visiting Weinstein Hammons, arts writer and gallery hunter Michael White said Leslie Hammon's "unfussy hospitality and real passion for art — and the artists who make it — will make you want to stay and linger for hours."  

Exhibited Artists: Alec Soth, Gail Albert Halaban, Erik Madigan Heck 

COMPLETE YOUR ART CRAWL 

• Art in the Basement 

• Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center 

• David Petersen Gallery 

• Doug Flanders & Associates 

• Form + Content Gallery 

• Fresh Eye Gallery 

• Gamut Gallery 

• Groveland Gallery 

• Homewood Studios 

• Kickernick Gallery 

• Kolman & Reeb Gallery 

• MAEP Gallery at Mia  

• Midway Contemporary Art  

• Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery 

• Minnesota Center for Book Arts

• Mirror Lab 

• Mojo Coffee Gallery 

• Northern Clay Center 

• Rosalux Gallery  

• Textile Center

• TOA Presents 

ST. PAUL 

BURL COMMUNITY ART GALLERY 

If you're looking for a laid-back, accessible, volunteer-run space, visit Burl Community Art Gallery in St. Paul. Formerly AZ Gallery, Burl aims to showcase the work of as many artists as possible, hoping to inspire and motivate anyone who wants to make art to do so.  

Recent show "Rejected!" epitomized this mission, showcasing the work of artists not accepted into the Minnesota State Fair juried fine arts competition. The only requirement to show was a rejection letter from the Fair. 

Burl reflects the spirit of Minneapolis' Gamut Gallery, showing the work of local artists for sale at an accessible price point year-round.

NIGHT CLUB 

Night Club is a shapeshifting gallery that began as a "conceptual art study group" on an art school campus and evolved into exhibitions and performances out of the home of co-founders Lee Noble and Emma Beatrez and a storefront in the Lowertown area of downtown St. Paul. The venue keeps changing, but they have attracted a loyal audience interested in a unique mix of experimental artists from in and out of state. 

The Wabasha Street gallery space closed in October 2024, but word is they are looking for their next location. Keep an eye out.  

Exhibited Artists: Julia Garcia, Fidencio Fifield-Perez, Christopher Harrison

COMPLETE YOUR ART CRAWL 

• Dow Art Gallery 

• Friedli Gallery and Studio

• Indigenous Roots Cultural Arts Center 

• PAPA Projects 

• Second Shift Studio Space 

• Solidarity Street Gallery 

• Viewpoint Gallery 

• XIA Gallery & Cafe 

EXPLORE MORE  

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS 

Sign up for the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) gallery newsletter to receive notice not only of the exquisitely curated Main and Concourse Galleries, but Gallery #248 at the back of the building. The hidden treasure is an incubator and the very first exhibition space for many art students.  

At the University of Minnesota, visit Katherine E. Nash Gallery, a gallery with a great reputation that has recently been showing vital, interesting work such as "Art and Artifact: Murals from the Minneapolis Uprising," and, in the nearby Quarter Gallery, "Layers of Joy," a celebration of Black art, identity, and community in Minneapolis. 

In St. Paul, visit Macalester College's Law Warschaw Gallery, recommended by several artists and gallerists. They bring in celebrated artists from out of state and the gallery itself is beautiful. Also stop by the Catherine G. Murphy Gallery at St. Kates, which recently opened "Latina and Latinx MN: Re/claiming Space in Times of Change." 

SILVERWOOD PARK VISITOR CENTER 

Elevating contemporary artists whose work specifically "explores nature themes," the Silverwood Park Visitor Center is a destination gallery space in St. Anthony. In 2024, the Three Rivers Park Board discussed ending funding of the arts programming at the site. Massive community response led to continued funding, demonstrating the significance to the public of this space. 

The visitor center's walls and rotunda are home to installation art and smaller works throughout the halls. Silverwood Park also showcases "art on foot " through a poetry trail and a sculpture trail. The quality of the work and the setting make it worth a visit. (Some past favorites include artists Suyao Tian and Anika Schneider.) 

COMPLETE YOUR ART CRAWL

Artistry has been hosting annual juried exhibitions in the Bloomington Center for the Arts for nearly 50 years, and is home to three galleries and extensive arts education opportunities. Be sure to also visit the free and public exhibitions at the Hopkins Center for the Arts, where artists can apply to exhibit their own work, submit for group shows, and have their art shown following arts education classes. 

White Bear Center for the Arts has two rotating exhibition galleries in the north metro, the Exhibition and Community Halls. 

Find out more about museums and galleries in Minnesota.