Rochester, MN is a city shaped by creativity. While our city is best known for creative discoveries in medical science, this community is also full of incredible art that tells the stories of who we are as people. From colorful street utility boxes to local fine art galleries, art is truly all around us, just waiting to be discovered. Here are eight fun ways to help kids of all ages get excited about local art.
Go on an Art Treasure Hunt
Public art is hidden in plain sight all over downtown Rochester! Use this map to take a self-guided tour of our local downtown murals, utility box art, and interesting sculptures. We absolutely loved using the map to uncover the stories behind the art we walk past every day.
Quick tip: For younger kids, make this a fun adventure by calling it an Art Treasure Hunt! Print out the map, pick a few locations, then let kids use the map to lead the way towards the treasures. As you look at each art display, ask kids questions like, “What do you notice about this work of art?” or “How does this work of art make you feel?” Mark off your map when you find one of the art displays, then when you’re done, enjoy a sweet treat at one of our amazing downtown local shops!
Explore Art On Our Local Trails
Want to explore outdoor art beyond Rochester’s downtown? For the past ten years, local artists have been quietly transforming Rochester’s public parks by installing original art along Rochester’s bike trails. This public art initiative, called Art4Trails, has shared 42 works of public art around the community, including 14 permanent sculptures and a series of temporary sculptures. The Art4Trails Map marks the location of all the Art4Trails installations. So grab your bikes, hit the trails, and discover some of Rochester’s unique outdoor art! Bonus: there are lots of opportunities for kids to stop and play along the way at one of our city’s amazing public playgrounds.
Take an Art Tour at Mayo Clinic
Have teenagers who are interested in art? Mayo Clinic is home to an incredible collection of art, and every Monday through Friday at 2:00 pm, volunteer guides lead the popular Mayo Clinic Art Tour through the Mayo, Gonda, and Siebens buildings. To join, meet at Heritage Hall in the Mathews Grand Lobby of the Mayo Building, where the tour begins and ends.
Visit Morph Creative Reuse
Looking for a budget-friendly way to spark your child’s creativity? Head over to Morph Creative Reuse. As a local non-profit, Morph rescues donated arts and crafts supplies and offers them to the community at a minimal cost. It’s an absolute treasure trove for makers. To turn the visit into a creative project, give your child $10 and let them scout the aisles to see what kind of masterpiece they can budget for. During our last visit, the shelves were packed with paint-ready ceramic sculptures, bins of beads, as well as loads of fabrics and yarns. If you want to keep your day completely cost-free, check out Morph’s “Imagination Station”, a dedicated section full of free items where kids can pick out unique materials to take home and create something delightful!
Get Creative at the Rochester Art Center
The Rochester Art Center is a museum of contemporary art located along the Zumbro River in the heart of historic downtown. The Rochester Art Center offers local, national, and international art exhibitions, plus tours, classes, and workshops.
Have kids who are ready to create their own works of art?
- The Creative Studio at the Rochester Art Center is an open art studio where all ages are invited to come and create. For non-members, accessing the Creative Studio costs $5 plus the general admission fee. Art materials are provided, and open studio hours can be found on the Rochester Art Center’s website.
- Free Family Days at the Rochester Art Center take place on select Sundays from 11 am- 4 pm. These free, all-ages events invite families and visitors to explore art through engaging, hands-on experiences.
Participate in an Interactive Art Display
At the end of 2017, the Mayo Civic Center installed an interactive outdoor sculpture. The main sculpture is located at the Mayo Civic Center’s southern plaza, while a kiosk inside the Civic Center that overlooks the sculpture invites individuals to type on a keyboard. The sentiments typed into the inside keyboard emit sound and light on the sculpture outside. The sculpture is intended to foster community and creative expression.
Meet a Local Artist
Threshold Arts: 311 Broadway Ave S
SEMVA: 20 2nd Ave SW
Gallery 24: 120 Elton Hills Dr NW
Turn a gallery visit into a fun adventure at Threshold Arts, SEMVA Art Gallery and Gallery 24! These three fantastic galleries showcase a variety of art made right here in our community. Use your visit as a chance to explore: ask your kids which art styles they like best or what materials they think were used for a specific work of art. Plus, since these are local cooperatives, there’s a great chance you’ll cross paths with one of the resident artists, creating an opportunity for your child to ask the artist questions and get inspired.
Display Art at the Rochester Public Library
Tucked inside the children’s area of the Rochester Public Library is an art room where kids can dive into coloring and creating! The library generously provides paper, markers, and fancy-edged scissors, and kids get to hang their finished masterpieces right on the art room walls. It’s always a treat to visit and see what other kids have created (and because the walls are refreshed regularly, there’s always something new to discover).
For even more creative fun, the library hosts a fantastic variety of kids and teen classes throughout the year, so be sure to check their events calendar before your next trip!
