95 works reveal the diversity, contradictions, and beauty of the United States

November 18, 2025

Minneapolis—The Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) presents “Containing Multitudes,” an exhibition celebrating the richness and contradictions of American life through photography. The exhibition will be on view December 20, 2025, through August 2, 2026, in the Harrison Photography Gallery.

Taking its title and inspiration from Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass, “Containing Multitudes” explores how photographers have sought to represent the complexity of American experience over the past 250 years—reflecting the nation’s pluralism, diversity, and continual evolution. Featuring 95 works drawn from Mia’s permanent collection, the exhibition brings together iconic images and recent acquisitions to tell a story both familiar and new.

“For generations, artists have used cameras to examine the United States and its ideals, contradictions, and transformations,” said Casey Riley, chair of Global Contemporary Art and curator of Photography and New Media at Mia. “‘Containing Multitudes’ honors that continuous dialogue by showing how artists—across time, geography, and identity—employ photography to expand our understanding of what America is and might be.”

The exhibition includes works by many notable artists, including Dawoud Bey, Catherine Opie, Deana Lawson, Stephanie Syjuco, Carrie Mae Weems, Laura Aguilar, Brittany Nelson, Anthony Hernandez, Ansel Adams, Walker Evans, and Robert Frank. It also features important contemporary artists working in Minnesota, including Jaida Grey Eagle, Xavier Tavera, Pao Houa Her, and Alec Soth, as well as a selection of anonymous amateur photographs from a recent major gift from Peter J. Cohen. Together, the photographs in “Containing Multitudes” bring a fresh perspective on life in the United States and the ways in which American culture is influenced by many factors, including global migration and Indigenous knowledge.

With newly acquired works and beloved objects from Mia’s vaults, “Containing Multitudes” underscores the museum’s commitment to building an inclusive collection that reflects the diverse communities of the Twin Cities and beyond. The exhibition coincides with the 250th anniversary of the United States, inviting visitors to consider how images shape collective identity and understanding.

Exhibition Details

• Exhibition Title: “Containing Multitudes”
• Dates: December 20, 2025–August 2, 2026
• Location: Harrison Photography Gallery
• Cost: Free

For more information on this 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 5,000 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. Everyone is welcome. Always.