For Twin Cities arts explorers (or wannabes):

Welcome to the Underground Arts Club – your gateway to the Cities’ hidden creative treasures. This project has been simmering in my imagination for a while, and I'm thrilled it's found its home at Minneapolis Voices.

I landed here from California in 2014 as an arts admin, and immediately fell for the depth and breadth of the Twin Cities' arts ecosystem. When I left the arts world, I was surprised to learn that even the most dedicated patrons of our major venues often hadn't heard about the extraordinary work being done outside of those doors. 

That's where this project comes in. Consider it your personal guide to art that may not make the billboards but absolutely deserves your attention. This isn't about choosing small over large – it's about expanding the aperture. And because I know how overwhelming event calendars can be (and how easy it is to default to Netflix), I'm keeping it simple with one single event suggestion per episode. These aren’t reviews, but suggestions of work from companies that you may not know.

For the first two episodes, these will be free articles, posted to the Downtown Voices website and available to everyone. After that, this will be sent out through an exclusive newsletter that you’ll need to be a Booster-level member of Minneapolis Voices to receive. You can sign up to become a Booster member here.

Each UAC Episode, we’ll bring you:

THE MUST-SEE

ONE thoughtfully selected upcoming performance, complete with insider tips on parking, dining, and what to wear

THE DISCOVERY

An artistic discovery from my adventures around town

FIELD NOTES

Quick musings on arts, culture, and life in the Twin Cities 

You'll find me everywhere from theater back rows to gallery openings, poetry readings to experimental dance performances. I believe art is a conversation – between the piece, the viewer, history, and community. While my taste may differ from yours, that's the beauty of it. Take what intrigues you, leave what doesn't. And know that these recommendations won't just come from me – I'm building a network of advisors and guest curators to broaden our perspectives.

The Underground Arts Club is your invitation to discover something new, with each episode crafted to be concise, accessible, and full of possibility.

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Welcome to the club!

Shannon Fitzgerald, Investigator for the Arts