By Alexander Thompson
Inver Grove Heights is full of arts, music, and cultural energy—if you know where to look. Whether you’re a creator, audience member, or somewhere in between, there are multiple ways to engage with the local scene throughout the year. Here’s a guide to what’s happening and how to get involved.
Annual Community Events You’ll Want to Know
- Inver Grove Heights Days – A city-wide celebration each September featuring food truck festivals, live music, vendors, family-friendly entertainment and a business expo. It offers a platform for local artists and performers to share their work in front of the whole community.
- Music in the Park: Inver Groove – During warmer months, “Music in the Park” serves up live performances by local musicians in parks across the city. A great informal setting to hear original music and connect with neighbors.
- Veterans Memorial Community Center Events – VMCC hosts the Sunday Farmers’ Market, open mic and acoustic nights at local venues, and periodic art fairs in the facility parking areas.
Open Calls, Exhibitions, and Projects
- Gallery 120 at Inver Hills Community College regularly invites proposals from artists—especially for shows combining fiber, installation, sound, or video work. These opportunities are ideal for interdisciplinary or emerging artists.
- Unity Trail Benches Project – A city initiative that engaged local artists and community members to design and install mosaic benches in parks. These kinds of public art projects are often open for participation.
Recurring Arts & Music Spaces
- Mississippi Pub & Jersey’s Bar & Grill patio nights provide steady schedules of live music—especially acoustic or singer-songwriter styles—during warm weather.
- Visual art classes and installations are often hosted through local libraries, community centers, or church groups like St. Patrick’s “Art and Environment” program, which prepares spaces for liturgical seasons.
How to Get Involved
- Performers – Contact venues like Mississippi Pub, VMCC, or small local bars to see if they need opening acts or buskers. Many nights are open mic or acoustic nights.
- Visual artists – Submit proposals where calls are active (e.g. Gallery 120), or get involved in community art projects like murals or bench mosaics.
- Volunteers – Many events, including IGH Days and outdoor festivals, are volunteer-powered. Assisting with setup, operations, or outreach helps strengthen the network and offers behind-the-scenes connections.
Funding, Resources, & Tools
If you’re producing art or planning a performance, explore grants through the Minnesota State Arts Board, which supports individual artists, cultural heritage, and community access. Local regional arts councils may also offer smaller funding or mentorship opportunities. Platforms like Springboard for the Arts provide artist resources, project support, and open calls.
Staying Informed
- Check the City of Inver Grove Heights website for Community-Special Events listings regularly.
- Follow local venues, VMCC, libraries, and arts organizations on social media for pop-up shows or last-minute open mic nights.
- Subscribe to regional arts newsletters and notice boards to catch exhibition calls, grant deadlines, and collaboration possibilities.
There’s always something happening in Inver Grove Heights—if we keep our eyes open and support each other, the arts will continue to grow and enrich every corner of our city.