MPR News arts reporters on covering Minnesota music, theater and the arts

The arts aren’t just something extra — they’re a central part of how people in Minnesota connect with each other and experience their communities.Two out of every three Minnesotans attended a concert, visited a gallery or saw live theater in the past year. That engagement adds up. Arts and culture generate an estimated $1.6 billion in annual economic impact across the state, according to the Creative Minnesota 2025 report.So what shows are drawing in audiences right now? And what challenges are facing arts organizations behind the scenes? MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two colleagues who cover arts and culture in Minnesota. Guests: Jacob Aloi is a newscaster and arts and culture reporter for MPR News. He’s a member of the American Theatre Critics/Journalists Association. He’s contributed to PRX's The World, American Theater Magazine and NPR's Here and Now. He previously hosted a show on Frogtown Community Radio in St. Paul.     Alex V. Cipolle is a senior arts reporter and critic, covering arts and culture for MPR News. She previously covered the arts in the Pacific Northwest and southwest France and has written for publications including The New York Times, Fast Company, Frommer’s and Hyperallergic.