Organized by the Brooklyn Museum

Presenting Sponsor: Center for Racial and Health Equity at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

December 9, 2024

MINNEAPOLIS—The Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) announces the Midwest debut of “Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys,” on view from March 8 to July 13, 2025, in the museum’s Target Galleries. This groundbreaking exhibition marks the first major showcase of the Dean Collection, owned by renowned musicians and cultural icons Swizz Beatz (Kasseem Dean) and Alicia Keys. Organized by the Brooklyn Museum, “Giants” highlights nearly one hundred significant works by Black diasporic artists, including Gordon Parks, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Lorna Simpson, Amy Sherald, and more.

“This exhibition is a testament to the power of art to spark ‘giant conversations’ and to celebrate the generational achievements of Black artists around the world,” said Katie Luber, Nivin & Duncan MacMillan Director & President at Mia. “At Mia, we are deeply committed to ensuring art from the world’s diverse cultures is accessible to everyone. We are excited to showcase this extraordinary collection, bringing the brilliance of some of the most influential artists of the 20th and 21st centuries to our audiences.”

The exhibition explores themes of Black identity, resilience, and creativity through a range of media. Works by Derrick Adams, Arthur Jafa, and Meleko Mokgosi—whose largest-ever painting is included in the display—will be shown alongside extraordinary portraits by Toyin Ojih Odutola and iconic photographs by Parks. The exhibition also includes ephemera and objects from the Deans’ personal lives that reflect their diverse interests and deep involvement in both music and the visual arts.

“The Dean Collection is rooted in the ethos of ‘artists supporting artists,’ and the title ‘Giants’ reflects both the legendary status of the featured artists and the monumental impact of their work,” added Casey Riley, Chair of Global Contemporary Art at Mia. “Hosting ‘Giants’ in Minneapolis is especially poignant as we approach the fifth anniversary of George Floyd’s murder. Many artists in this exhibition confront and reflect upon issues that resonate deeply in our community, making their voices all the more essential in a city that has become a global center for conversations on racial justice and equity.”

Giants Exhibition Highlights:

• On the Shoulders of Giants features work by elder artists such as Esther Mahlangu, whose colorful, abstract paintings reimagine traditional South African Ndebele art. The legacy of photography is also represented with images by Kwame Brathwaite, Malick Sidibé, and Gordon Parks.
• Giant Conversations addresses societal critique and protest, featuring works like Lorna Simpson’s Tense (1991), which explores the complexities of Black female self-representation. Nick Cave’s sculptures examine the protective “costumes” Black men must wear, while pieces by Jerome Lagarrigue and Henry Taylor reflect on homelessness and visibility.
• Giant Presence offers a dramatic finale of large-scale works, including Nina Chanel Abney’s Catfish (2017), a bold commentary on financial and sexual exchange, and monumental paintings by Titus Kaphar and Meleko Mokgosi that resonate with powerful historical themes.

Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys have long been celebrated not only for their music but also for their dedication to the arts. As collectors, their Dean Collection champions all visual artists worldwide, contributing to a vital conversation about the global impact of Black art. “Giants” reflects their passion for supporting established and emerging artists while fostering important dialogues about art, culture, and identity.

The Center for Racial and Health Equity at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (the Center) is proud to serve as the Local Presenting Sponsor of “Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys.” The Center and Mia have partnered since 2021 on the Teen Perspectives program. This multi-generational project brings high school students and professional artists together to engage in creative storytelling through art and share their perspectives on how racism impacts health issues within Minnesota communities.

“At the Center for Racial and Health Equity, we believe art and culture are core to changing dominant narratives. Art empowers and gives voice to those who have been historically and contemporarily marginalized. Such equity of voice creates valuable, diverse perspectives that fosters vibrant communities,” said Bukata Hayes, Vice President of Racial and Health Equity and Chief Equity Officer at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. “We are excited to continue our partnership with Mia and play a role in bringing this landmark exhibition to the Twin Cities, to showcase these powerful works of art.”

“Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys” is organized by Kimberli Gant, Curator, Modern and Contemporary Art, and Indira A. Abiskaroon, Curatorial Assistant, Modern and Contemporary Art, Brooklyn Museum.

Current sponsors include:

Presenting Sponsor: The Center for Racial and Health Equity at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

Major Support: Susan and Rob White

Generous Sponsors: Best Buy, HGA, Mason Lane Art Advisory, and Artful Living

Additional Support: John Thomson

Support for this exhibition is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Individual tickets will go on sale in 2025.

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About the Brooklyn Museum

For 200 years, the Brooklyn Museum has been recognized as a trailblazer. Through a vast array of exhibitions, public programs, and community-centered initiatives, it continues to broaden the narratives of art, uplift a multitude of voices, and center creative expression within important dialogues of the day. Housed in a landmark building in the heart of Brooklyn, the Museum is home to an astounding encyclopedic collection. More than 140,000 objects represent cultures worldwide and over 5,500 years of history—from ancient Egyptian masterpieces to significant American works, to groundbreaking installations presented in the only feminist art center of its kind. One of the oldest and largest art museums in the country, the Brooklyn Museum remains committed to innovation, creating compelling experiences for its communities and celebrating the power of art to inspire awe, conversation, and joy.

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, and from ancient to contemporary—Mia links the past to the present, enables global conversations, and offers an exceptional setting for inspiration.

General admission to Mia is always free. Some special exhibitions have a nominal admission fee.

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