Duluth Art Institute

Duluth Art Institute Dynamic, innovative visual arts exhibitions, events & classes. Galleries open Mon–Fri Noon–5pm. Enrichment activities are also offered throughout the community.

A cultural catalyst that has been operating for more than 100 years, the Duluth Art Institute provides the community a rich array of arts offerings as well as a forum for the exchange of artistic ideas across a wide mix of audiences. The DAI celebrates the vital art scene here, today, and the sense of identity active artists derive from this region—which has always had a strong sense of place, bei

ng uniquely situated on the greatest of the Great Lakes: Lake Superior. The DAI is committed to contemporary curatorial practices and showcases innovative work via a roster of fresh exhibitions, featuring emerging to professional area artists as well as exceptional statewide and national art. Our three galleries encompass 2,500 square feet and are always free and open to the public. Didactic text, tours, and the Artist Talks series interprets the work, places it within the global arts context, and stimulates an understanding of process. An Arts Learning Lab adjacent to the galleries provides art books, reference materials, family activity packs, and other opportunities to reflect and engage with what’s on view. Free Family Days, youth art camps, and year-round educational programming for children and adults enables beginner to professional artists to develop their art forms and expand their practices. Community resources include painting and multipurpose classroom spaces, a darkroom, ceramics studios, a fiber studio, and professional development services for artists. Many of these learning opportunities take place at our satellite location, a renovated Carnegie library with historic landmark status now known as the Lincoln Center for Arts Education. By providing community connections, exhibition space, and opportunities for art making and arts exploration, engagement and learning, the DAI nurtures all facets of the visual arts in the Twin Ports.

08/18/2026

Off they go!

We just sent 231 unique, hand-designed postcards off in the mail!

Every visitor had the chance to pluck a postcard from the wall, write a note to a loved one, and mail it all from the gallery.

And there are still 273 postcards waiting to be sent!

If you haven’t stopped by yet, or want to experience the show again….come send flowers at an Exhibtion meant to be shared outside of the gallery.

Gallery hours: Monday–Friday | 12–5 PM
On view through October 3

You can also experience the exhibition virtually through Bloomberg Connects.

Send Flowers is made possible in part by a grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, with funds appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature from its General Fund. We’re also grateful to the National Endowment for the Arts for supporting our 2026 Exhibitions and Education under the theme “We Hold These Truths.”

Do you dread art critique? Learn how to make critique comfortable for you and how to critique others work with artist an...
08/03/2026

Do you dread art critique?

Learn how to make critique comfortable for you and how to critique others work with artist and educator Robb Quisling!

Show up to our August First Wednesdays at our weekly Creative Studio.

Bring your work in progress and as you listen to “What Is a Critique”. You can stay after for your own one-on-one optional critique with Robb.
 
Wednesday Aug 5 | 5:00–8:00pm
DAI Studio | 2229 W 2nd St, Duluth Mn

Never been to Creative Studio? Your first session is free!

Learn more on the DAI event calendar, LinkTree in bio!

07/29/2026

Imagine this wall as a field of flowers. Come pluck yours and “Send Flowers” at Art Night Out.

Meet the artists, enjoy drinks and a light apps, connect through the universal language of flowers.

August 13 | 5:30-8:00pm | US Bank Building, floor 4

Thank you to National Endowment f/t Arts for funding our 2026 Exhibtions and Educational programming through our year theme “We Hold These Truths”.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the ARACouncil, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

We’re getting closer to opening day!Experience Ish Meets a Mermaid on August 3 to view the behind-the-scenes journey of ...
07/24/2026

We’re getting closer to opening day!

Experience Ish Meets a Mermaid on August 3 to view the behind-the-scenes journey of the film’s creation and enjoy a screening of the short film.

Want to meet the creators?

Come to the Art Night Out Reception on August 27!

Meet the director Jonathan Thunder and producer Vera Bianchini. Enjoy food and beverages, and a live music performance by Alex Kmett to celebrate an evening of art and community.

📍 Location:
130 W Superior St
US Bank Building, Floor 4

07/15/2026

That’s a wrap!!

Our Annual Member Show came down yesterday, and we had so much fun celebrating the incredible work of our member artists. ☺️☺️

Thank you to all of our artists for sharing your creativity, your perspective, and your truth. And thank you to everyone who came through to experience the show and support our community.

We truly couldn’t do this amazing work without all of you. 🫶🫶 Until next year!

If you missed the show, don’t worry…it will forever be on Bloomberg Connects. Just download the app and look up AMS 2026.

We’ll have something new for you in August! 🧜‍♀️🌷Discover two new exhibitions opening August 3, and save the date for ou...
07/13/2026

We’ll have something new for you in August! 🧜‍♀️🌷

Discover two new exhibitions opening August 3, and save the date for our TWO Art Nights Out: Send Flowers on August 13, and Ish Meets a Mermaid August 27.

Until then, the galleries will be closed. Stay cool! ☀️

OPEN CALL CLOSING JULY 17‼️Submit you proposal for our 2027/2028 Open Call in by July 17 to have the chance to show your...
07/06/2026

OPEN CALL CLOSING JULY 17‼️

Submit you proposal for our 2027/2028 Open Call in by July 17 to have the chance to show your work at the DAI.

Know an artist who should apply? Share this post with them! 

For more information and submission guidelines, visit our Open Call page on our website.
Linktree in bio👉👉

Have a question? Contact the DAI Exhibitions Manager Madeline Kayser at [email protected]

Address

130 W Superior Street, Suite 400
Duluth, MN
55802

Opening Hours

Monday 12pm - 5pm
Tuesday 12pm - 5pm
Wednesday 12pm - 5pm
Thursday 12pm - 5pm
Friday 12pm - 5pm

Telephone

(218) 733-7560

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