Experience “Institute of Ice” at Mia: A Winter Art Spectacle

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January 31, 2025

MINNEAPOLIS—Bundle up and join the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) for the return of its iconic Institute of Ice, a celebration of art, winter, and community! This beloved annual event invites guests to experience art like never before, with dazzling ice sculptures inspired by the soon-to-open Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys exhibition and Mia’s world-renowned collection. Mark your calendars for Thursday, February 6, 2025, and embrace the beauty of winter and art in Minnesota.  The sculptures will be on view during museum hours until it melts.

Event Highlights

  • Nine Hand-Carved Ice Sculptures by Minnesota Ice, with some as large as 7 feet. A few highlights include:
  • Live Carving Demonstration: Witness the artistry of ice sculpting as Minnesota Ice crafts masterpieces using hand tools and intricate carving techniques.
  • Ice Bar, Refreshments, and Food Truck: Enjoy winter-themed cocktails, mocktails, hot cider, and hot chocolate, all served from a stunning ice-carved bar. Adding to the experience, the KCM Eggroll food truck, known for its fusion of traditional and modern flavors, will offer a unique culinary twist to the event.
  • Fire Pit Lounge: Cozy up around the fire pit.
  • Live DJ Set: Dance to a fun, seasonal mix of music under the stars.
  • Ice Sculpture Spotlight Tours: Guided tours at 5:30 and 7 p.m. allow visitors to connect the ice sculptures to their original inspirations in Mia’s collection. Printed handouts included.
  • Self-Guided Gallery Tours: Discover the original artworks that inspired the sculptures with helpful signage directing you to their locations inside Mia.
  • The Herschel V. Jones Print Study Room will be open, showcasing works on paper featuring ice and snow! Drop by between 5 and 8 p.m. to see works from a variety of periods and mediums and perhaps find your new favorite chillscape!

 Institute of Ice Schedule of Events on February 6, 2025

  • 9 a.m.: Sculpture Installation Begins (Open to Public Viewing)
  • 5 p.m.: Event Kickoff
    • Ice Bar Opens, Live DJ Set Begins, Food Truck Opens
    • Ice Sculpture Viewing
  • 5:30 p.m.: Fire Pit Lounge Opens and Guided Spotlight Tour
  • 6:30 p.m.: Live Ice Sculpting Demo in the Courtyard
  • 7 p.m.: Guided Spotlight Tour
  • 8:30 p.m.: Event Wrap-Up (Ice Bar Closes and DJ Concludes)

Catch These Frozen Masterpieces Before They Melt

The ice sculptures will be on display beginning February 6 in Mia’s Target Park and will remain on view until the ice melts. This is a fleeting opportunity to experience these stunning works of art as they transform with the elements—be sure to visit early to capture them in their prime.

Celebrate Winter, Art, and Community

The Institute of Ice is the perfect opportunity to embrace the season, marvel at the artistry of ice sculpting, and create lasting memories with friends and family. Whether you warm up with a hot chocolate or toast the evening with a glass of wine at the Agra Cafe, Mia invites you to see art in a whole new (and frozen!) light.

“The Institute of Ice is a unique way to showcase Mia’s collection while celebrating Minnesota’s winter charm,” said Rob Bedeaux, Head of Marketing and Communications at Mia. “We’re thrilled to offer an experience that combines art, community, and the season’s natural beauty in such an unforgettable way.”

Event Details:

  • Date: Thursday, February 6, 2025
  • Time: 5–8:30 p.m.
  • Location: Minneapolis Institute of Art (Target Park), 2400 Third Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55404
  • Admission: Free and open to the public. All are welcome; no reservations required.
  • Duration: Ice sculptures will be on view during museum hours until they melt.

For more information on the Institute of Ice and other upcoming exhibitions, visit www.artsmia.org.

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About the Minneapolis Institute of Art

Home to more than 100,000 works of art representing 7,000 years of world history, the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) inspires wonder, spurs creativity, and nourishes the imagination. With extraordinary exhibitions and one of the finest art collections in the country—from all corners of the globe, from ancient to contemporary—Mia links the past to the present, enables global conversations, and offers an exceptional setting for inspiration.  Learn more about Mia in our latest Impact Report.

General admission to Mia is always free, but some special exhibitions charge a nominal fee.

For more information, call + 1 612 870 3000 or visit www.artsmia.org.