About the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District

This isn’t your typical gallery or museum district—arts are alive in Northeast Minneapolis in a truly one-of-a-kind way, making Minneapolis a destination for any kind of arts lover. Once a bustling warehouse district, large industrial spaces became available in Northeast Minneapolis during the 1980s and 1990s. Attracted by budget-friendly leases and large studio spaces, artists began occupying the empty warehouses. Over the following decades, this creative migration ignited a transformation, fostering the growth of an energetic arts community. Recognized multiple times as the #1 Arts District in the USA Today 10 Best Reader’s Choice Travel Awards, this dynamic square mile of Minneapolis now overflows with artistic energy, housed within the stunning architecture of repurposed industrial giants—former warehouses and factories now teeming with studios.

The Most Popular Northeast Minneapolis Art Buildings You Can Explore

The heart of the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District beats within several large, historic buildings, each acting as a hive for dozens of artists. Navigating this creative landscape is part of the fun. While some studios are open daily, the real magic often happens during scheduled open studio events when the district comes alive with art lovers enjoying the neighborhood’s breweries, restaurants, and shops in addition to artist studios. While events offer the most open doors, don’t hesitate to check building directories or artist websites if visiting on a non-event day, as some studios maintain regular hours or welcome appointments—serendipitous discoveries are always possible!

Northrup King Building

1500 Jackson St NE

Prepare to be overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the Northrup King Building, the epicenter of artist studios in Northeast Minneapolis’s Arts District. Housed in a massive, 101-year-old former seed warehouse, it is the largest art complex in Minnesota. This sprawling creative center is home to over 350 tenants, including more than 300 artists, alongside various small businesses and nonprofit organizations. Offering free parking and elevators for ease of exploration, this is the most popular spot on any Minneapolis art tour. Given its size, don’t feel pressured to see everything at once! Pick a floor that interests you, check the directory for specific artists, or simply enjoy wandering and seeing where the hallways lead.

Wander the building’s four expansive floors, and you’ll encounter virtually every medium imaginable: painting, sculpture, photography, glass art, ceramics, jewelry, fiber arts and textiles, furniture, digital art, printmaking, mixed media, and much more. Tucked within the creative maze of the Northrup King Building, you’ll find exuberant abstract paintings from artist Ashley Mary, modern mixed-metal jewelry using recycled materials from EC Designs, functional and quirky ceramics from A MANO and Liz Pechacek, the vibrant cohort of queer and BIPOC artists in residence at Public Functionary’s PF STUDIOS, and unique themed paint-and-sip events at Oya Arts. Several established galleries also reside here, including Kolman & Reeb Gallery and Price Krishnan Gallery, offering curated exhibitions alongside the individual studios.

When to Visit: While the building is generally open to the public from 8 am to 8 pm daily, the artists and galleries maintain their own hours. Regular events include Open Saturdays (12–4 pm, select dates), First Thursdays (5–9 pm), Art Attack! (Nov), Art-A-Whirl (May)

California Building

2205 California St NE

One of the first studio buildings in the neighborhood, the California Building has nurtured a creative community in Northeast Minneapolis for over 50 years. Inside, you can grab a latte at Mojo Coffee Gallery and browse 80+ artist spaces and creative businesses, including ceramics, painting, drawing, furniture, jewelry, sculpture, fiber arts, photography, performance art, landscape design, and more. Residents include abstract figurative painter Hilary Greenstein, contemporary painter Francene Christianson, modern locket jewelry from the Locket Sisters, and nature-influenced photography from Linda Gammell. You’ll no doubt note the lobby’s unique, soft lighting filtered through the entryway’s colorful glass installation, an artistic touch by resident stained glass artist Phil Daniel.

When to Visit: The most reliable time for public access to studios is during Second Saturdays, held monthly from 11 am to 4 pm. The building participates fully in Art-A-Whirl in May, and also hosts its own annual fall open studio event, California Dreamin’, typically in November. Access to individual artist studios outside of these events usually requires an appointment.

Solar Arts Building

711 NE 15th Ave

The Solar Arts Building offers a creative blend of Minneapolis history, environmental stewardship, and artistic energy. Originally serving as the Twin City Cord & Tire Co. and later a Sears warehouse, the building now proudly features 109 solar panels on its roof, literally powering the creative endeavors inside. Its tenants reflect a modern mix: thirty plus artists and creative professionals occupy the upper floors—including playful contemporary painter Steven Carlyle Moore, rich patchwork quilts and fabric paintings from Lucienne Schroepfer, and silver jewelry alongside functional ceramics from Michelle Louise Streitz. Indeed Brewing Company taproom anchors the ground floor, making this a great one-stop destination to experience art exploration and Minneapolis’s craft beer scene. This mix creates a particularly energetic vibe, especially during open studio events!

When to Visit: For visitors, First Thursdays (5 pm - 9 pm) are the prime time to experience open studios here, often enhanced by local live music. The building is also a central hub during Art-A-Whirl in May, frequently coordinating its activities with Indeed Brewing’s lively “Whirlygig” music and beer festival happening downstairs.

Casket Arts Building

681 17th Ave NE

The Casket Arts Community offers a unique campus-like setting for art exploration, encompassing three distinct buildings: the historic main Casket Arts Building, the adjacent Carriage House, and the NE Sculpture Gallery/Factory, plus an outdoor sculpture park. This cluster provides a concentrated dose of creativity within walking distance. The building gets its name from the historic building’s history as a 1880s casket company, but the offerings inside are much less macabre since it was converted to art studios starting in 2006. Over 150 local artists and creative businesses are busy at work across the campus in a wide array of disciplines. Visitors can expect to find painting, sculpture, jewelry, printmaking, textiles, ceramics, photography, woodworking, metal arts, and more. Artists at Casket include contemporary abstract painter Andrea Canter, fine jeweler Andrew Bugher Design, and innovative fiber artist Andy Jacobs.

When to visit: Second Saturdays (11 am—4 pm) are the key monthly event for open studios across the Casket Arts Campus. Their signature annual event is Open Casket, a weekend-long fall open studio tour in November that mirrors the energy of Art-A-Whirl on a smaller scale. It often features live music, food trucks, and art demonstrations. The campus also participates lively in Art-A-Whirl each May, plus an annual holiday market on the Second Saturday in December.

Hidden Gems and Newcomers of the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District Scene

While the above artist buildings represent the most significant density of working artist studios in the Arts District, the community constantly grows with newly repurposed spaces and growing hubs. These can offer a respite from the crowds and better odds for deep conversations with creators. Some may be outside the neighborhood’s core, but the art and artists are worth the trip!

Q.arma Building

1224 Quincy St NE

Home to over thirty artists, Q.arma showcases a diverse range of media with a special focus on ceramics (housing the Minneapolis Clay Collective and Sidecar Ceramics), printmaking (North Star Printmakers Studio), and woodworking (Boom Island Woodworking), alongside painting, photography, textiles, sculpture, design, framing, music, metalwork, mixed media, and architecture. The building also has multiple gallery spaces hosting solo and group shows on each floor. The building reliably opens for First Thursdays (typically 5–9 pm), the full Art-A-Whirl weekend, and seasonal open studio events like Spring Table, Fall-In, Summer Table, and the holiday-themed Gifting Q.arma.

2010 Artblok

2010 E Hennepin Ave

Situated within the historic former General Mills food research laboratory complex, 2010 Artblok houses two dozen artists and creative small businesses east of the central arts district core. You’ll find functional pottery at Otto Ceramics, children’s illustrations from Alison Sanders, quirky animal paintings from HLH Art, and Bumbling Fools Mead. Key access times include Art-A-Whirl weekend and Second Saturdays (typically evenings, 5–8 pm).

Flux Arts Building

2505 Howard St NE

Flux Arts features a strong focus on clay and glass arts. It is an active space for hands-on making, often incorporating classes and supplies alongside finished artwork. Discover key tenants like Clay Squared to Infinity (specializing in handmade tiles and mosaics), Potek Glass (offering glass art, classes, and repair), and polymer clay artist Layl McDill, who hosts clay parties and classes. A notable benefit for planning your visit is the building’s consistent public hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm. This offers reliable access outside major weekend events, although Flux also participates actively in events like Art-A-Whirl and hosts events such as the Garden Art Fling.

Art-A-Whirl: The Nation’s Largest Open Studio Tour

If you want to schedule your trip around maximum artist interaction, the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District electrifies during its major event, Art-A-Whirl. Occurring every year on the third weekend in May, Art-A-Whirl is the undisputed crown jewel of the Northeast Minneapolis arts calendar. Organized by the Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association (NEMAA), this massive celebration attracts tens of thousands of visitors, transforming the district into a sprawling art party. Studio buildings, galleries, individual homes, storefronts, and businesses open their doors, offering an unparalleled opportunity to see art in every conceivable medium, watch live demonstrations, participate in interactive activities, enjoy live music performances, and sample offerings from local breweries and food vendors. Getting around is made easier with free trolley services and often free Metro Transit passes available for the weekend. Biking is also an excellent way to navigate the bustling streets and discover hidden gems off the main event map. Mark your calendars for May 16-18, 2025, celebrating the event’s 30th year!

With its ever-evolving landscape and the constant influx of fresh talent, the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District promises endless artistic discoveries. Plan your visit and become part of its ongoing story.

Before you go, always check the websites or social media for individual buildings and NEMAA for the latest open studio hours, event schedules, and specific artist directories. As many studios are housed in historic industrial buildings, accessibility can vary. Please check individual building websites or contact them directly for specific accessibility information.