Minnesota, perhaps best known for its outdoorsy good looks and accompanying pursuits, is also one of the premier arts and culture destinations in the nation.
"And that isn't just limited to the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area, which is second only to New York City per capita for seats sold in the performing arts," says Chris Van Meter, spokesperson for Explore Minnesota, adding the tourism outfit's recent annual guide focuses on the state's arts and culture offerings, which encompass a wide array of theater, music, dance and visual arts.
"Throughout Minnesota are dozens of venues, many highlighted within the publication, providing information that will aid in group planning," Van Meter says.
From must-visit museums and musical outings to a gangster tour highlighting one city's cultural landmarks and a rather large mall that makes shopping an artistic endeavor, Minnesota offers a wealth of cultural opportunities for groups.
Museums
The Minneapolis area's portfolio of museums is quite impressive. Among the options are the Weisman Art Museum at the University of Minnesota (www.weisman.umn.edu), the Museum of Russian Art (www.tmora.org) and the Minneapolis Institute of Arts (www.artsmia.org).
The Walker Art Center (www.walkerart.org), according to Meet Minneapolis, is a must-see touted by Newsweek as "possibly the best contemporary art museum in the U.S." The adjoining Minneapolis Sculpture Garden (http://garden.walkerart.org) boasts more than 40 large-scale works, including Claes Oldenburg's Spoonbridge and Cherry.
Minneapolis Northwest, which enjoys easy access to the cultural offerings of the Twin Cities, is home to the Ellingson Car Museum (www.ellingsoncarmuseum.com) and the Flashlight Museum (www.flashlightmuseum.com), a place that may spark some bright ideas among attendees.
In Duluth, the St. Louis County Heritage & Arts Center (www.duluthdepot.org) houses the Lake Superior Railroad Museum, which features steam locomotives. According to Julie Johnson, senior sales manager at Visit Duluth, groups can enjoy a scenic train ride along the shoreline followed by a gathering in the museum.
Theaters
With more than 70 theater companies in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area, it's one of the largest theater-going communities in the country, according to Kristen Montag, spokesperson for Meet Minneapolis.
A standout for group outings is the Guthrie Theater (www.guthrietheater.org), which overlooks the Mississippi River and, Montag says, is a great place for groups to enjoy a reception or dinner and then attend a show.
"Or bring your group to the main stage to do improvisation workshops with professional actors," she says, adding that backstage tours can be arranged. "The sky's the limit, as groups from 14 to 1,100 people are accommodated in the Guthrie's many unique spaces."
The Paramount Theatre and Visual Arts Center (www.paramountarts.org)
in downtown St. Cloud encompasses live performances and visual arts. The Visual Arts Center offers private party sessions in various art mediums.
And in Rochester, the Jon Hassler Theater (www.jonhasslertheater.org) hosts a variety of performances and also accommodates group events in its lobby and 223-seat theater.
Festivals
From a July 4 parade in Lake of the Woods to the Boundary Waters Blues Festival (www.elyblues.com) in Grand Rapids, Minnesota's festival circuit heats up during the summer months.
A variety of festivals occur in Bemidji and may correspond with a group's arrival to the area, says Denelle Hilliard, executive director of Visit Bemidji, citing events including the Swedish Midsummer Fest and Native American PowWows.
Festivals are also alive and kicking in the Twin Cities.
The Twin Cities Jazz Festival (http://hotsummerjazz.com), held in Saint Paul, is the largest free outdoor jazz festival in the region, according to Visit Saint Paul.
The Minnesota Fringe Festival (www.fringefestival.org), held in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, is one of the largest in the country and annually draws thousands of people to witness new and experimental theater.
Duluth has a full calendar of events during warmer months as well, including the Bayfront Blues Festival (www.bayfrontblues.com) and the Homegrown Music Festival (www.duluthhome grown.com), which is held in spring.
Tours
Most CVBs throughout the state will have information for planners regarding walking or bus tours to explore unique arts and cultural offerings. Architect tours in Saint Paul, for example, feature stops at the Cass Gilbert-designed Minnesota State Capitol, and along Summit Avenue, the longest street of Victorian-era homes in the nation.
Adam Johnson, vice president of marketing at Visit Saint Paul, says groups will thoroughly enjoy the gangster tour facilitated by Down in History Tours (www.wabashastreetcaves.com).
"It's a great way for groups to see the many highlights of Saint Paul through the eyes of a 1930s gangster," he says, explaining the tour takes a group through the years of prohibition highlighting gangster hot spots, including Landmark Center, where John Dillinger's girlfriend, Billie Frechette, was tried. "For an even deeper experience, invite Paul MacCabee, local author and gangster historian, to talk to your group about the gangster lore of Saint Paul. His gangster knowledge and energy will make attendees feel like they knew Ma Barker."
The downtown Bemidji Sculpture Walk (www.mnartists.org) highlights more than 40 sculptures and several murals, according to Visit Bemidji's Hilliard.
"A scavenger hunt activity can be provided as an activity for groups to engage in," she says.
The City Center Public Art Tour in Mankato is an at-your-own-pace tour that guides folks to view artwork dating back to 1894.
Shopping
From antiquing in Grand Rapids and Brainerd Lakes to exploring Bloomington's Mall of America (www.mallofamerica.com), shopping is considered a cultural experience in and of itself throughout Minnesota, according to CVB representatives.
"With more than 520 stores and countless must-see attractions, a group can incorporate 'culture' when visiting high-end stores like Burberry, Hugo Boss and Nordstrom, and the 'arts' when gazing at the beautiful creations of Betsey Johnson, Michael Kors and Stuart Weitzman," says Bonnie Carlson, president and CEO of the Bloomington CVB, adding that tax-free shopping on clothing and shoe purchases makes a visit even more appealing.
In Ely, there is an interesting array of shopping opportunities, including handcrafted works at Charlotte's Wreaths and two buildings filled with treasures at Cobweb Antiques.
Artsy Properties
Culturally rich Minneapolis even boasts a hotel created around the art it houses. According to Explore Minnesota spokesperson Chris Van Meter, Le Meridien Chambers Minneapolis (www.lemeridienchambers.com), the nation's first luxury art hotel, features more than 200 original pieces of contemporary paintings, sculpture, photographs and projected video throughout guest rooms and public space, and world-class exhibits in the attached Burnet Art Gallery.
"A central courtyard is the ideal setting for a reception," he says, adding that guests may show their keycard at the nearby Walker Art Center for complimentary admission.
Kristen Montag from Meet Minneapolis adds that planners can book a swanky cocktail party at the LeMeridien Chambers.
"It's the perfect space for chic, upscale events," she says, adding divisible spaces, called the ART rooms, can be used as one, two or three rooms accommodating between 10 and 200 people.
Also, intimate banquet space is located in the Burnet Art Gallery overlooking Hennepin Avenue, and the rooftop lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows and a wraparound balcony provides dramatic views of the historic Hennepin Theater District.
Minneapolis is also home to W Minneapolis-The Foshay (www.starwoodhotels.com), an Art Deco delight that Foshay, a local real estate mogul, opened in 1929 with a three-day party and a commemoration by "the March King" John Phillips Sousa, according to Van Meter.
"Three months later, Black Friday hit and Foshay lost everything," he says. "They've converted his two-story penthouse office into Prohibition Lounge."
Music
Minnesota has a fantastic music scene, from various popular genres highlighted at some of the aforementioned annual festivals to a major metropolitan classical music scene in
Minneapolis, including the Minnesota Orchestra (www.minnesotaorchestra.org), conducted by music director Osmo Vanska, and the Minnesota Opera (www.mnopera.org), whose upcoming season features Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor and Puccini's Madama Butterfly.
Nearby in Saint Paul, the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts (www.ordway.org) is a terrific representation of the musical theater that can be found throughout the state, as it brings the latest touring Broadway musicals to the Twin Cities.
Visit Saint Paul's Johnson says groups seeking a complete night of musical theater can come early for Ordway Extra, a free presentation of live music and trivia in the Marzitelli Foyer, or stay late to chat with the actors.
"You are a VIP on Wednesdays at the Ordway," he says. "Here is a unique opportunity to talk directly to the actors you just saw on stage and find out what goes on behind the scenes of a musical production."
In Alexandria, Theatre L'Homme Dieu (www.tlhd.org), which has been staging summer stock theater since 1961, according to the Alexandria Lakes Area COC, recently reinvented itself by importing five family-friendly and often-comic musicals from professional theater companies around the state, including Minneapolis Musical Theatre (www.aboutmmt.org) and the Duluth Playhouse (www.duluthplayhouse.org).
Galleries
Different than art museums in that visitors might often run into the artists behind its creations, galleries also abound in Minnesota.
"One group recently used Art in the Alley for a private party class," says Visit Duluth's Johnson. "The gallery has a classroom on-site or they will bring the class to you. This particular group participated in a beading class, and they were thrilled with the jewelry they made and proudly wore it at their convention."
Gallery hops are also common in areas throughout the state, including Duluth and Greater Mankato, which offers a monthly Third Thursday Gallery Walk year-round.
According to Visit Bemidji's Hilliard, during the First City of Arts Studio Cruise, groups have the opportunity to witness the creative process of various artists during visits to their individual studio spaces.
Carolyn Blackburn is a frequent contributor to Meetings Focus MidAmerica.
