Discovering The Arts Explosion In Minneapolis (NAPSA)—The cultural land- scape of Minneapolis—already rich in museums and theater—is expe- riencing an arts explosion. As the only U.S. destination named to Travel + Leisure magazine’s list of “up-and-coming places to visit in 2006,” this recent boom places Minneapolis in the company of other high-profile international destinations. Driven by five critically acclaimed international architects, the 18-month transformation has led to nearly a half-billion dollars in new cultural infrastructure. The dynamic offerings include: Walker Art Center—Recognized as the country’s foremost contemporary arts center, the expansion doubled the facility and includes impressive new galleries and a 385-seat theater. The New York Timescalls it “one of the country’s liveliest and most personable museums.” The museum had over 600,000 visitors in the first 10 weeksafter its reopening. The Children’s Theatre Company—America’s flagship theater for young people and families. Time magazine heralded it as the country’s best kids troupe. It is the first (and only) Tony Awardwinning theater for young people. The recent expansion adds a second stage for programming target- ing preschool and teen audiences. Minneapolis Public Library— A fabulous destination for travelers, the new Central library will house the nation’s fourth-largest public The Children’s Theatre Company is the nation’s only Tony Awardwinning theater for young people. ing encyclopedic art museums, it now has 40 percent more gallery space and a collection of over 100,000 objects spanning 5,000 years. The museum is one of only a handful in the country to offer free admission. Guthrie Theater—Symbol of the birth of the not-for-profit resident theater movement, this highly regarded regional theater invites visitors from around the globe to its new three-theater com- plex. The lobbies and its 178-foot- long cantilever bridge are open to the public, offering spectacular viewsof the Mississippi River. In addition to three Tony Award-winning theaters and the exciting art scene, Minneapolis boasts the nation’s largest shop- ping mall, five professional sports teams, 57 museums, world-class library collection. It includes five restaurants, a vibrant nightlife, and many opportunities for recre- The Minneapolis Institute of Arts—Oneof the nation’s lead- lis, visit http://arts.minneapolis. org. stories of space for books, fireside reading dens, a cafe, teen center and an expansive children’slibrary. ation within the city limits. To learn about the travel packages and attractions of Minneapo-
