Rochester, Minnesota, has a thriving art scene that includes stunning representations of visual arts, theater, and live musical performances. Whether you’re interested in browsing modern art, biking through a landscape of stunning sculptures, settling in for an independent movie, or spending a night at the symphony, this city has just the experience you’re after. With so much to see and experience, it’s difficult to know where to start. Here are our favorite destinations for experiencing Rochester’s art scene.
Rochester Art Center
The Rochester Art Center presents diverse and innovative contemporary art experiences through exhibitions from local, regional, and national artists. These exhibitions regularly challenge viewers to experience diversity head-on and look at the world through fresh eyes. In addition to its exhibitions, the Rochester Art Center also offers youth and adult educational programs, like workshops, lectures, and film screenings. You can drop in and work on your own pieces on Fridays and Saturdays during the open studio between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Location: 30 Civic Center Drive SE, Suite 120, Rochester
Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday
Rochester Civic Theater
In its 71st season, the Rochester Civic Theater is the longest-running community theater in Rochester. This 300-seat downtown venue hosts a variety of performances, including dance, theater, and live music. The 2023 season includes the award-winning play “The Miracle Worker,” the beloved musical “The Little Mermaid,” and more. Residents can help support the theater through donations or volunteering to be part of the excitement.
Location: 30 Civic Center Drive, Rochester
Hours: Box Office — noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Friday
Gray Duck Theater & Coffeehouse
Gray Duck is an independent micro cinema and coffeehouse. Locally owned, this establishment offers a distinctive experience that’s unique to the region. The intimate 66-seat theater shows documentaries, independent films, local films, foreign films, live performances, and beloved classics. You can find a show any day of the week with affordable tickets priced at just $10 for regularly scheduled shows. The theater even offers free Wi-Fi to keep you connected.
The theater pairs creatively with a coffeehouse serving fair trade coffee roasted nearby at Fiddlehead. You can enjoy your artfully crafted espresso drinks in the theater or order a cup to go. If you’re craving something other than coffee, you can also order local Spring Grove sodas, movie theater candy, and popcorn prepared in organic coconut oil.
Location: 619 Sixth Ave. NW, Rochester
Hours: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday
Charles E. Gagnon Museum & Sculpture Garden
The Charles E. Gagnon Museum offers an intriguing look into the home of this famous sculptor who created breathtaking works from bronze. Gagnon thoughtfully designed his pieces to uplift and inspire, with an air of peace about them. The home is open only for scheduled tours, and admission is $20 per person for guests aged 10 and up.
Beyond the museum’s walls, you’ll find the inspiring sculpture garden. Admission to the garden is included with tours between April 15 and Oct. 15. The garden features rotating exhibitions during these months. On select dates, you can attend concerts in the garden that combine live music with stunning art pieces.
Location: 2500 Fourth St. SW
Hours: For scheduled tours only — 10 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
Art4Trails
Art4Trails is a public art initiative that simultaneously beautifies the city while introducing residents to local artists. Art4Trails hosts a juried art competition each year that commissions a selection of permanent and temporary sculptures for Rochester’s bike trails. The program is responsible for over a dozen permanent sculptures you can view around the city.
Look for installations like the bright red “Biking Bunny” in Soldier’s Field Park, the colorful cubes dubbed “Drinking Sunshine” in Bear Creek Park, and the playful “Tractor Cat” in Roy Sutherland Playground. One of the most recent installations is “Nautilus,” a rainbow-hued shell found near the back patio of the Rochester Art Center. Since temporary sculptures are featured annually, the city’s artistic landscape is changing continuously.
Location: Throughout Rochester
Hours: N/A
The Rochester Repertory Theatre Company
The Rochester Repertory Theatre Company hosts intimate live theatrical performances. The theater seats approximately 90 audience members, depending on the size of the stage for each production. The 2023 season will feature “Master Class,” “Spring Awakening,” “A Raisin in the Sun,” and “I and You.” Performances typically take place on Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Location: 103 Seventh St. NE, Rochester
Hours: Box Office — 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on performance evenings
Rochester Symphony
The Rochester Symphony operates under the simple mission of bringing great music to life. Founded in 1919 as the Rochester Orchestra, this is a historic organization. Maestro Jere Lantz spent 42 years leading the Rochester Symphony before retiring in December 2022. The orchestra is currently operating under a guest conductor.
Performances typically take place at the Mayo Civic Center Presentation Hall, though the Rochester Symphony occasionally appears at local high schools as well. In addition to its full-length performances, the orchestra also hosts Free Family Preview concerts, which are ideal for a night out with the kids. These evenings offer abbreviated versions of the symphony’s concerts to make classical music more accessible to a younger audience. These family previews provide a more casual setting and last approximately 40 minutes. Though you must reserve a ticket, there’s no admission fee for Free Family Previews.
Location: 1530 Greenview Drive SW, Suite 120, Rochester
Hours: Box Office — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday These are our favorite choices for soaking up the art and culture of Rochester. Do you know of other must-experience destinations that we missed? Contact our team at Tom Kadlac Kia and let us know. We want to ensure we always offer the best recommendations in the city when our customers are headed off the lot looking for adventure.
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