Franklin Ave East

The Franklin Avenue East Cultural District is a vibrant center of Native American and global culture, known for its Indigenous-owned businesses, international markets, and rich public art. From the renowned Franklin Avenue Pow Wow to locally loved eateries and community gathering spaces, Franklin Avenue East celebrates heritage, resilience, and creativity. It’s a welcoming destination where culture and community come together.

2025 Cultural District Award Fund Winners

  • Benchpressed

    Location: 2010 26th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55406

    Benchpressed, a Minneapolis-based design and letterpress studio, will take part in the Franklin Corridor Arts Festival, an event celebrating the diverse arts organizations of the neighborhood. The festival will feature free art-making activities for community members, encouraging creativity and connection. Founded in 2012 and now home to six vintage presses, Benchpressed is known for its hand-drawn, hand-printed cards and gifts that are “tongue-in-cheek with a little sweet,” blending traditional craftsmanship with playful design.

  • Kalpulli KetzalCoatlicue

    Location: Cedar Park

    Kalpulli KetzalCoatlicue, a South Minneapolis community dedicated to preserving and sharing the Indigenous dance traditions of Mexico, will host a cultural festival featuring musicians, dancers, poets, community resource tables, and a youth-led media creation project. Rooted in the spiritual and cultural significance of dance and music—including the sacred drum, concha, and conch shells—the festival celebrates Indigenous heritage while fostering learning, connection, and community pride across all ages.

  • Minneapolis American Indian Center

    Location: 1530 East Franklin Ave.
    Minneapolis, MN 55404

    BareBones Productions, a Minneapolis-based collective of visual and performing artists, is best known for its large-scale outdoor puppet performances and community art events. Their work transforms public spaces into vibrant stages, often featuring stilts, bicycles, and giant puppets.

    The 2025 Halloween Outdoor Puppet Extravaganza will present four bilingual and ASL-interpreted public performances, supported by inclusive puppet-making workshops and storyboarding sessions. This cult-favorite event invites audiences of all ages to experience imaginative storytelling, visual spectacle, and community celebration in true BareBones fashion.

  • Native American Community Development Institute

    Location: 1414 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, Mn 55404

    A Night with NACDI is an annual event highlighting civic engagement, food sovereignty, and Indigenous arts and culture. Guests can enjoy interactive programming, food tastings, artist meet‑and‑greets, and live performances.

    Since 2007, the Native American Community Development Institute (NACDI) has worked to create sustainable, asset-based community development rooted in the belief that all American Indian people have a place, purpose, and future. Through community engagement, organizing, development, and Indigenous arts, NACDI continues to drive meaningful systems change and cultural connection.

  • Native Joy Festival

    Location: 1530 East Franklin Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55404

    The Native Joy Festival is a theater-based celebration of Indigenous culture and community, showcasing storytelling, performance, and art that honor Native traditions and contemporary voices. This event creates a welcoming space for cultural expression, connection, and joy.

  • Norway House

    Location: 913 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404

    In December 2025, Norway House will host a Gingerbread House Community Building event, inviting community members to come together for a festive, hands-on cultural activity. Known as a hub for Norwegian culture, collaboration, and innovation, Norway House serves as a bridge between Norway, the United States, and the wider world, fostering cultural dialogue and preserving heritage while creating opportunities for connection and celebration.

  • Open Eye Theater

    Location: 2213 Snelling Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404

    Sweet Songs & Flying Objects is a three-night summer event blending puppetry and live music to engage the community and build excitement for a future community pocket park.

    Presented by Open Eye Theatre, nationally recognized for its inventive figure theater and neighborhood Driveway Tour, the event will showcase the company’s signature mix of whimsy and depth. With imaginative performances designed to inspire connection and joy, this event continues Open Eye’s tradition of creating magical, intimate experiences that bring people together.

  • Red Eye Theater

    Location: 2213 Snelling Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404

    0, 1, group, ∞ is a participatory performance event presented by Red Eye Theater, exploring collective research and experimental movement scores. As an artist-led organization, Red Eye functions as a relational collective, fostering collaboration, shared resources, and creative potential. This event invites audiences to engage directly with performance-making, blurring the line between artist and participant while exploring movement as a tool for connection and discovery.

  • Mashkikiikewag Program

    Location: Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Urban Office

    The Mashkikiikewag Program is an Indigenous arts initiative focused on women’s access to traditional art forms such as sewing, beading, and other cultural practices. Through demonstrations and hands-on workshops, the program preserves and shares Indigenous knowledge while creating space for learning, connection, and cultural empowerment.

Plan Your Visit to Franklin Ave East

Light Rail:
The METRO Blue Line provides convenient access to the Franklin Avenue East Cultural District via the Franklin Avenue Station, located just west of key cultural destinations. Trains run roughly 5 AM to midnight, with early morning and late-night service accommodating most schedules.

Bus Routes:
Franklin Avenue East is served by multiple Metro Transit routes:

  • Route 2: Runs along Franklin Avenue, connecting the University of Minnesota, Seward, and surrounding neighborhoods.

  • Route 9: Provides access between Franklin Avenue, downtown, and western suburbs.

  • Route 22: Offers service south to Lake Street and Cedar Avenue areas.
    Most buses operate from approximately 4:30 AM to 1 AM, making it easy to reach cultural landmarks and businesses throughout the day and evening.

Parking Options:
Street parking is available along Franklin Avenue East, typically with 1- to 2-hour limits (8 AM–6 PM) in commercial areas. Additional parking can be found in surface lots near community centers, cultural institutions, and retail hubs, with some local businesses offering free parking for customers.