The Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) will host a crop art exhibition titled "Cream of the Crop: A Minnesota Folk Art Showcase" opening September 6, 2025, after the Minnesota State Fair concludes on September 1. The show will feature 10 works of crop art, including winners of two new awards sponsored by Mia: best interpretation of an artwork at Mia and best interpretation of a Minnesota landmark, story or figure. A curatorial team from Mia, including director Katie Luber, will judge entries at the State Fair, and the winning pieces will be displayed in the museum's rotunda alongside eight additional notable works. The exhibition builds on Mia's history with crop art, including a 2004 show of portraits by crop art legend Lillian Colton and a 2015 centennial commission of a large-scale crop art field.
This exhibition matters because it formalizes a collaboration between Mia and the Minnesota State Fair, elevating a beloved local folk art tradition to a museum setting. By sponsoring awards and hosting a post-fair showcase, Mia demonstrates institutional support for grassroots creativity and Midwestern artistic identity. The partnership also highlights the growing visibility of crop art, which has been championed by State Fair assistant superintendent Marta Shore, and reflects a broader trend of museums engaging with regional, community-based art forms. The show's content remains unknown until artists submit their work, adding an element of spontaneity and public anticipation.