Will Heller

Stilt Walking Summer Program Registration Opens at PH+T!

Youth ages 8–12 are invited to step into the air this summer with Stilt Walking, a joyful performing arts program led by the Resident Teaching Artists from Pillsbury House + Theatre.

Over nine weekday sessions, participants will learn the fundamentals of walking and dancing on stilts while exploring creativity through movement, choreography, and lantern-making. The program culminates in a magical community moment: youth will perform on stilts in the 2026 Peace Lantern Ceremony at Powderhorn Park, held at dusk on July 30.

Program Details

  • Dates: July 20 – July 30, 2026
  • Schedule: Weekdays, 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
  • Location: Powderhorn Park
  • Ages: 8–12
  • Sessions: 9 total

Minneapolis residents can receive full discounts on youth activity fees at checkout — no code required.

Registration is open now through Minneapolis Parks & Recreation.

Learn More and Register

Will Heller

The Chicago Avenue Project Is Officially Underway at Pillsbury House + Theatre!

Chicago Avenue Project kicked off its season with mentor orientation this past Tuesday. The room was bustling with new connections and reunions as the artists joined together with the shared vision of making something hopeful in the midst of hardship. They have said yes to uplifting the creativity of our youth, to creating a space of play, vision, and community for the young artists at Folwell Elementary School. CAP would not be possible without the generosity of artists in the Twin Cities and the volunteers on Tuesday joined the 30 years of this legacy of giving. There are many worthy places where they could share their time and talents, and they chose to share them with us. We are deeply grateful.

Come check out the show they will create with the young folks: “Uña y Mugre – Joined at the Hip” May 8th and 9th at Pillsbury House + Theatre!

Will Heller

Art In Commons Residency Begins at Pillsbury House + Theatre

Pillsbury House Theatre seeks artists from our surrounding neighborhoods (Central, Powderhorn Park, Bancroft, Bryant) to participate in Art In Commons (AIC). Through AIC, PH+T will be providing individual artist’s 24 hour access to free 110 sq. ft. studio space in the lobby of our neighborhood center at no cost.

AIC offers small scale opportunities to:

  • Embed neighborhood artists from a variety of artistic discipline and cultural production in our community center as resident artists for 4- 8 weeks.
  • Increase understanding and expand the value of the work of artists for the 24,000 people that enter our building each year.
  • Explore how we can better support neighborhood artists through access to a FREE temporary studio, and the possibility of exhibiting or marketing their art to neighborhood residents.
  • Provide artists opportunities to invite public participation in reciprocal art activities.

We are looking to have artists activate the studio space year round. If you are interested in being an AIC Artist, please contact Mike Hoyt at 612-787-3655, or email [email protected].

*Given this is a commons area, some materials restrictions apply.

Will Heller

Drag Story Hour MN Returns to the Pillsbury House + Theatre Stage

We’re delighted to welcome back a community favorite!

Drag Story Hour MN returns to the PH+T stage with Shimmering Waves — a joyful mix of stories and songs flowing from freshwater streams to the sea. Featuring magical creatures, puppetry, music, and plenty of sparkle, this interactive performance celebrates gender expression, friendship, and the wonder of nature.

Join Doña Pepa, Sid Sity, and Old Man Shimmer for a heartwarming experience designed for children and their caregivers to enjoy together.

March 21, 2026
Two performances
10:30 AM Art Activities | 11:00 AM Show
12:30 PM Art Activities | 1:00 PM Show

Masks encouraged.
Reservations are encouraged. Online reservations include a $5 minimum per family, with a limited number of $0 day-of tickets available.

Learn More and Reserve Your Spot

Will Heller

2026 McKnight Fellowships for Community Engaged Artists: What to Know and How to Apply

Administered by Pillsbury House + Theatre in partnership with the McKnight Foundation, applications are open and close March 23, 2026 at 5:00 PM (CST).

The McKnight Fellowships for Community-Engaged Artist Program provides annual fellowship awards to two (2) outstanding mid-career community-engaged artists who are at a stage beyond emerging in their career.

For the purposes of this fellowship, community-engaged artists are defined as artists who use their artistic practice to build relationships aimed at producing social or cultural transformation. This intention drives choice and process throughout the conception, design, stewardship, and implementation of their work.

The Pillsbury House + Theatre–administered fellowship program uses an independent jury of arts specialists to competitively award two fellowships.

Fellows Receive:

  • A $25,000 fellowship award 
  • A $3,000 professional development fund 
  • Access to PH+T facilities and equipment 
  • Support from PH+T staff and community resources 
  • Consultation, support, and resources from Springboard for the Arts 
  • Access to Artist Residencies through the Artist Communities Alliance 

The fellowship period runs for one year.

For questions, contact Mike Hoyt at 612-787-3655 or [email protected].

For more information and application guidelines, visit mcknight.org/artistfellowships

2026 McKnight Fellowships for Community Engaged Artists Information Sessions:

Dates & times:

Wednesday Feb. 25, 2026
5:00pm-6:00pm (CST)

Location:

Pillsbury Creative Commons
3529 Chicago Avenue S. Minneapolis, MN 55407

Virtual option:

(FEB. 25) – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85466410343?pwd=3JKXTvBWCRpbttVsb8CJkEKAfgHBlN.1

McKnight Foundation

Founded on the belief that Minnesota thrives when its artists and culture bearers thrive, the McKnight Foundation’s arts and culture program is one of the oldest and largest of its kind in the country. Support for individual working Minnesota artists and culture bearers has been a cornerstone of the program since it began in 1982. The McKnight Artist & Culture Bearer Fellowships Program provides annual, unrestricted cash awards to outstanding mid-career Minnesota artists in 15 different creative disciplines. Program partner organizations administer the fellowships and structure them to respond to the unique challenges of different disciplines. Currently, the foundation contributes about $2.8 million per year to its statewide fellowships. For more information, visit mcknight.org/artistfellowships.

Learn More and Apply

 

X