Minneapolis Institute of Art

Whoever comes to Minneapolis HAS to check out the MIA. It has amazing collections ranging from African art to European paintings to Japanese Jade carvings. Granted, the pieces aren't all the 100% top quality Monets you're going to find in big cities like New York or Chicago, but it's still really great stuff. Additionally, I think that if you enjoy art, these...lesser quality works allow you to look into the context of the time and see what the artist is really trying to say rather than only paying attention to the technique. What I really LOVE right now is one of their new exhibitions of two local Native American artists. The exhibit is called 'New Skins' and at the very least you should check out their work on the website if you can't come in person. Andrea Carlson's stuff is great and Jim's work is just so satirical it's fantastic. Oh and did I mention the MIA is FREE! That's what's so great about it. But, it's not open on Mondays. Also, if you check the website, you can find out when additional things are going on, like conversations with the artist or special presentations. I like this museum better than the Walker, beause it has such a variety of contemporary, modern and traditional art. There is something from almost every area of the world and every time period...oh and you have to PAY for the Walker so it's double awesome.