Meet at Mia

Connect, create, kick back! Meet at Mia is a series of free Thursday evening events for adults. Get to know us—and each other—with live music, art making, special programs, and unique food and drink (for purchase). No registration or secret handshake required.

Winter and Spring Programs

January 8 | Ice Sculpture Opening Party

People wearing winter coats and hats looking at illuminated ice sculptures at night in Mia's courtyard

Explore ice sculptures in the courtyard inspired by artworks at Mia, get a drink from the ice bar, watch a live sculpting demonstration, and warm up by a fire. Then head inside for some hygge (pronounced HUE-guh). This Scandinavian word encourages us to tap into the cozy side of life, so we’re bringing those chill vibes to Meet at Mia.

Make colorful, geometric art with Tia Keobunpheng and bring some “ahhh” to your senses with hand-crafted simmer kits. Enjoy a special performance of Nordic music by artists from the Minnesota Orchestra. In the galleries, tour the works interpreted in ice, check out some wintery landscapes, and bask in the glimmer of Norwegian silver artworks.

Create geometric artwork with Tia Keobounpheng
Make spice kits with Laura Wennstrom to bring some hygge-friendly aroma home with you
Tour Mia’s galleries to see the original works that are interpreted in ice, 5:30 and 7 p.m.
Head to the courtyard to see a live ice sculpting demo with Minnesota Ice, 6 p.m.
Learn about Mia’s winter-inspired art collection with a free guided tour, 6:30 p.m.
Enjoy a special performance of Nordic music by artists from the Minnesota Orchestra, 7:45–8:30 p.m.
Explore “Crowning the North: Silver Treasures from Bergen, Norway”

Can’t make it for the opening party? The ice sculptures will be on view during museum hours until they melt.

January 22 | New Views

This Meet at Mia is all about photography! DJ BleakRoses provides the tunes for you to explore Mia’s photography exhibition “Containing Multitudes.” Get your aura portrait taken with Vivid Violet Photography, and explore pre-camera photography with artist Silvana Agostoni. Join a Mia guide for a trip into the galleries to learn more about the photography on view.

Create your own camera-less photographs with Silvana Agostoni
Discover Coggins cameras and get your own aura portrait with Vivid Violet Aura photography
Groove with DJ BleakRoses
Explore Mia’s photography galleries on a free guided tour, 6:30 p.m.

February 5 | Visionaries

Musician singing on stage. He's holding a microphone in his right hand while wearing glasses and a sleeveless denim jacket. His guitar hangs from his neck and he appears to be passionately singing.

Celebrate Black history at Mia! Lean into the power of poetry and watercolor with writer, teaching artist, and curator Dralandra Larkins in Mia’s studios. Enjoy a concert from Obi Original and the Black Atlantics in Mia’s Regis Court. Explore Mia’s galleries with special tours that highlight Black artists in Mia’s collection.

Make poetic watercolor affirmation cards with Dralandra Larkins
Vibe with Obi Original and the Black Atlantics during a performance in Regis court, 7–8:30 p.m.
Explore Mia’s galleries to learn more about the visionary Black artists in our collection on a free guided tour

February 12 | Institute of Hearts

Get into the Valentine’s Day spirit during Mia’s annual Institute of Hearts with a special line up of Meet at Mia offerings. Enjoy an immersive projection experience from Mafic Ocean in Mia’s Regis Court. Drop by Mia’s studios for some heartfelt artmaking with Mia teaching artist Sophia Weisensel. Explore Mia’s galleries on a special, loved-themed guided tour. Sip on a festive drink served up by Agra Culture Café.

Make watercolor valentines with Mia teaching artist Sophia Weisensel
Enjoy an immersive experience in Regis Court with Mafic Ocean
Explore love-themed artworks in Mia’s galleries on a free, guided tour
Share the love and leave special hearts next to your favorite artworks at Mia
Sip a special cocktail at Agra Culture Café

February 19 | Taking the Reins

Person in tan jacket standing in front of black and white wall.

Saddle up for this exciting Meet at Mia celebrating Mia’s exhibition “Year of the Horse: Hoofbeats Through Time.” Enjoy music in Mia’s lobby from DJ Chico Chi. Deepen your knowledge on a tour of “Year of the Horse,” led by a Mia guide.

Groove with DJ Chico Chi
Tour “Year of the Horse” with a Mia guide, 6 and 7:15 p.m.
Attend a lecture all about the “Year of the Horse” exhibition, 6:30 p.m. (free registration required)

March 12 | Leading the Change

Person with curly hair wearing sunglasses against sky and sea background.

Celebrate women’s history at Meet at Mia. Enjoy a special concert with music artist Chastity Brown. Get creative in Mia’s studios with Laura Brown. Explore the galleries on a guided tour of artworks by women artists in Mia’s collection. Get free entry to Mia’s new special exhibition “Modern Art and Politics in Germany 1910–1945: Masterworks from the Neue Nationalgalerie, Berlin.”

Make unique prints with Laura Brown
Enjoy a special performance from Chastity Brown, 7–8:30 p.m.
Explore Mia’s galleries on a women’s history–themed tour
Access Mia’s special exhibition “Modern Art and Politics in Germany 1910–1945” for free

March 19 | Threads of Time

This Meet at Mia is a celebration of Mia’s exhibition “An Indigenous Art: Huipiles from Mia’s Collection.” Try your hand at weaving with artist Ivonne Yáñez. Explore the exhibition on a guided tour.

Create unique woven artwork with Ivonne Yáñez
Learn more about the artistry and creation of Huipiles with live demonstrations from Ivonne Yáñez
Explore the “An Indigenous Art: Huipiles from Mia’s Collection” exhibition on a free guided tour

March 26 | Spring Forward

A person is standing in the center of a lush, green field. They are wearing a long, brown dress with a single shoulder strap. The background features a clear blue sky and the horizon is lined with distant trees.

Let the changing season be your guide at Meet at Mia. Enjoy a performance from IAMJOY, try your hand at leather artwork with Mohamed Abdalla, and tour Mia’s galleries to discover spring-themed artwork.

Make leather artwork with Mohamed Abdalla
Enjoy live music with the perfect springtime vibe from IAMJOY, 7–8 p.m.
Explore Mia’s galleries on a free guided tour highlighting artworks that are spring forward

April 9 | Art in Motion

Not all great works of art fit inside a frame! This Meet at Mia features performances from Threads Dance Project that brings dance to Mia’s Regis Court. Create unique artwork that taps into your unique sense of movement. Explore Mia’s collection on a guided tour and get free entry to Mia’s special exhibition “Modern Art and Politics in Germany 1910–1945: Masterworks from the Neue Nationalgalerie, Berlin.”

Make artwork that moves with you in Mia’s studios
Enjoy a special performance from Threads Dance Project
Explore Mia’s galleries on a free guided tour
Access Mia’s special exhibition “Modern Art and Politics in Germany 1910–1945” for free

April 23 | Art in Bloom

It’s a floral frenzy at Mia! Come for the florals, stay for Meet at Mia. Join artist Akiko Ostlund in the studios for Art in Bloom inspired artmaking. Las Twins food truck supplies delectable dishes to fuel your gallery exploration.

Create Art in Bloom inspired artwork with Akiko Ostlund
Enjoy delicious dishes from Las Twins food truck

April 30 | Seeds of Inspiration

Let your creativity bloom at Meet at Mia. Create crop art inspired by the floral artworks in Mia’s collection with teaching artist Marta Shore. DJ Chico Chi provides the tunes in Mia’s lobby. Explore Mia’s galleries on a free guided tour.

Create crop art with Marta Shore, inspired by artworks in Mia’s collection
Groove with DJ Chico Chi
Explore inspiring artworks in Mia’s galleries on a free, guided tour that highlights impactful works in our collection

_{"Meet at Mia: Bike Night" event in Target Park at Minneapolis Institute of Art on May 16, 2024.}