38th Street Cultural District

In South Minneapolis, the 38th Street Cultural District is a lively area full of history, creativity, and community action. It is home to local arts groups and people who care about their neighborhood. 38th Street shows how art can bring people together and inspire change.

2025 Cultural District Award Fund Winners

  • Center for Performing Arts

    3754 Pleasant Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55409

    Just steps from 38th Street, CFPA is hosting a weekend of exciting, cross‑cultural performances! Featuring a special collaboration between Wattanak Dance Troupe, Sana Bangoura, and Exposed Brick Theater, plus new works from resident artists, this event celebrates diverse traditions and creative partnerships. Many activities are free or low‑cost, making it easy to join the fun, connect with artists, and experience the power of community through performance.

  • Chicago Fire Arts Center

    3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55407

    CAFAC is a one‑of‑a‑kind hub for metal, glass, and fire-based arts. This summer, it hosts Minneapolis Molten Metal, a five‑day neighborhood iron‑casting festival. Visitors can join hands‑on workshops, see artists at work in the sand mold studio, and enjoy free learning opportunities open to all ages. Whether you’re an experienced maker or just curious, it’s a chance to experience fire arts up close and connect with local creativity.

  • Folk Will Save Us

    Location: George Floyd Square

    Folk Will Save Us is dedicated to building a resilient and just society through folk arts, storytelling, and cultural collaboration. Their programs uplift tradition‑based artists, from Yiddish/Klezmer workshops to cultural leadership fellowships, and even a lively podcast featuring creators who use tradition to inspire innovation and healing.

    In May 2026, they will host MinneHonk!, a free two‑day street brass band festival at 38th & Chicago, bringing together seven brass bands for an energetic celebration of music, culture, and community. Everyone is welcome to dance, listen, and experience the power of folk traditions in action.

  • Lachelle Cunningham

    Location: George Floyd Square

    Chef Lachelle is a celebrated Twin Cities culinary leader, known for launching Chelle’s Kitchen, serving as the founding executive chef of Break Bread Café, and creating the Healthy Roots Institute, which focuses on healing and social justice through food education, culinary arts, and entrepreneurship.

    Her upcoming project, Bowls & Spoons: A Collaborative Food, Art & Healing Experience, will bring a series of community‑driven activities to 38th & Chicago, culminating in a Harvest Feast on October 4, 2025. This event blends food, art, and wellness, offering a space for connection, celebration, and nourishment.

  • Monica Rojas

    Location: Phelps Park

    Monica Rojas, a bilingual queer Chilean‑American writer and artist, brings magical realism, joy, and play to her community work. Known for her picture book Nana and Abuela and interactive art installations, she now invites neighbors to join a series of free, community‑focused piñata‑building workshops in the cultural district. These hands‑on sessions at Phelps Park offer a creative and welcoming space to connect, celebrate, and craft together.

  • Oromo Irreechaa Festival

    Powderhorn Park

    Celebrate gratitude, community, and culture at the Oromo Irreechaa Festival! Rooted in Oromo traditions, this vibrant African celebration features music, dancing, food, and a powerful thanksgiving ritual honoring Waaka (God) and nature.

    In the fall, join the joyful procession to the water with flowers and tall grasses, followed by food and fellowship. In May, the celebration continues with storytelling, a BBQ, and cultural performances.

    Open to all, Irreechaa is a welcoming event that brings people together to honor resilience, family, and joy.

  • PLOT Gallery

    3730 Chicago Ave S. Ste A, Minneapolis, MN 55404

    Founded in 2015 by Asa‑Azriel Rice, PLOT Gallery is a creative space showcasing emerging and often underrepresented artists. Located near George Floyd Square, it offers bold exhibits and a chance to connect with new voices in contemporary art. Each month, the Gallery Talk series invites visitors to join artist‑led discussions exploring the cultural and creative life of South Minneapolis.

    Whether you’re an art collector or simply curious, PLOT is an open door to fresh perspectives and community-driven creativity.

  • Z Puppets Rosenschnoz

    Location: 4054 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55407

    Z Puppets Rosenschnoz blends handcrafted puppetry, humor, and live music to spark joy and imagination for all ages and abilities. Known for performances and workshops that encourage playfulness, problem-solving, and resilience, they bring people together through creativity and laughter.

    In May 2026, Z Puppets will host BEFORE CHICAGO AVENUE (BCA) at their home on 4054 Chicago Ave, a free, family-friendly festival featuring five local Indigenous artists leading hands-on art-making activities and performances. This event invites the community to celebrate creativity, culture, and connection.

  • Stoking the Future

    Stoking the Future is a four‑day immersive sauna experience coming in autumn 2025. Hosted inside the artist‑built Sauna Shanty, the program will feature five one‑hour sessions each day, blending wellness, storytelling, and social connection in an outdoor setting. This social practice project invites participants to relax, share narratives, and imagine new ways of building community through heat, ritual, and conversation. Venue details to be announced.

  • Lotus Arts Center

    Location: Sabathani

    The Lotus Art Center invites the community to Art + Connection, a series of free, three‑hour small‑group art sessions in the 38th Street Cultural District. These hands‑on workshops use creative expression and guided storytelling to build trust, deepen connections, and celebrate shared experiences. Open to all skill levels, the sessions offer a welcoming space to create, connect, and grow together.

Plan Your Visit to 38th Street

Light Rail:

METRO Blue Line Stops at 38th Street Station—cental to the corridor with easy access to George Floyd Square (GFS) and nearby spots. You can also get off at Lake Street Midtown Station, about a 15-minute walk west.

Service hours run roughly 5AM to midnight with the first southbound train around 5:14AM and the last northbound around 12:37AM.

Bus Routes:

Multiple Metro Transit routes serve the 38th corridor, with frequent stops along 28th Ave S and Minnehaha Ave:

  • Route 23 (“38th Street / Uptown”): Runs from early morning (~5:20 AM) until late evening (~11 PM), every ~25–35 min

  • Route 38 (“38th St–Highland–Uptown–Hopkins”): Covers the full 38th Street length, with solid on-time performance (~73%)

  • Routes 14, 22, 7 also stop directly at 38th Street Station

Buses tend to start between 4:30–5:30 AM and run until late night (~1 AM)

Parking Options:

  • On-street parking along 38th Street typically allows 1-hour stays (8am-6pm) in commercial areas.

  • Most of the street features parking lanes on both sides, easily accessible for dining or short visits.

  • Some local businesses offer free parking across the street from their venue.