Hands-On Hip Hop
A museum-wide celebration of Hip Hop culture and history
Join us for Hands-On Hip Hop, a six-week museum-wide celebration of Hip Hop culture and history.
Teaching artists and staff will lead special activities and programming throughout the museum, focusing on the five core elements of Hip Hop — Deejayin’, Emceein’, Breakin’, Graffiti (Street Art) and Knowledge of Self.
The series culminates with a day of drop-in workshops and a finale performance.
Hands-On Hip Hop kicks off on Monday, Jan. 19 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day), then runs Saturdays from Jan. 31 through Feb. 28. Hands-On Hip Hop is created in partnership with TruArtSpeaks, a St. Paul community organization focused on building connection through Hip Hop and other artistic expression.
All activities are included with museum admission at no extra cost.
Why Hip Hop?
Hip Hop culture is filled with creativity, confidence and community. For young children, especially, it develops communication skills, supports early literacy, expands vocabulary, strengthens collaboration skills, fosters creative thinking and more. It also builds confidence and promotes cultural awareness in a fun, easily approachable way for children.
Schedule of Special Events
| Monday, Jan. 19 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. in the Atrium |
Kickoff Event A celebratory event featuring music from DJ Mickey Breeze and breakin’ moves by Herb Johnson. |
| Saturday, Jan. 31 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. in the Atrium |
Emceein’ Led by Hip Hop artist Desdamona, participants will learn about call and response, rhythm and rapping through engaging activities that invite the audience to create using their bodies and voices to blend music and words. |
| Saturday, Feb. 7 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. in the Atrium |
Deejayin’ A live, interactive exploration of the fun of deejayin’. Learn the art of scratching with one of the best — Timberwolves and Twins DJ Mickey Breeze. |
| Saturday, Feb. 14 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. in the Atrium |
Breakin’ Feel the beat and learn to break! In this interactive session with McKnight artist Herb Johnson, visitors will learn Hip Hop choreography and transitions, then showcase the new moves as a crew. |
| Saturday, Feb. 21 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. in the Atrium |
Graffiti (Street Art) Artist Jordan Hamilton leads this wildly creative art making experience using markers, paper, cutting and collage to develop graffiti style inspired artworks. Explore graffiti art references, examples, basic techniques and approaches to creative graffiti lettering while developing your own unique style. |
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Saturday, Feb. 28 Performance: 4 p.m. in the Atrium |
Finale Workshops and Performance Participate in drop-in workshops that dive deep into the Hip Hop element of your choice. Then, join the artist instructors onstage to perform or display your art for all museum visitors. |
Ongoing Activities and Events
Remix Runway
Ongoing in The Studio
Celebrate the creativity, self-expression and bold style born in the early days of Hip Hop by turning small accessories into powerful statements of personal style. In the spirit of Hip Hop’s “remix” culture, visitors will design and create custom patches, shoelaces and jewelry to wear, share or take home—adding flair, color and story to what they wear every day.
- Power Patches: Design and make your own fabric patch using bold colors, patterns and symbols. Attach it to clothing with a safety pin, needle and thread or fabric glue.
- Lace Lab: Decorate and finish custom shoelaces with bright colors and charms and learn unique lacing styles.
- Statement Station: Create statement jewelry and accessories that stand out. Add sparkle to clothing or create shimmery medallions.
The Cyphersphere
Ongoing in The Landing
A space for community connection in the round where all are equal. A place for call and response, where knowledge, words and dance moves are shared. The Cyphersphere also includes a dance floor and the Knowledge Corner, a recreation of a retro living room filled with Hip Hop-inspired memorabilia.
Power Portrait Stations
Located in The Atrium, The Studio and The Landing
Celebrate the power of self by striking a power pose in one of three portrait stations inspired by Hip Hop culture’s spirit of individuality. Scan a QR code at each station to submit your photos to be shared during the finale performance on Feb. 28.
Meet the Artists
Desdamona
Desdamona
Emcee | Poet| Educator
Desdamona is an international, award winning poet & hip hop artist. She has toured the US & abroad and also spends her time in schools and learning writing workshops. She also serves as The Minister of Connections at TruArtSpeaks – leading outreach and relationship efforts.
Jordan Hamilton
Jordan Hamilton
Muralist | Musician | Educator
Jordan M. Hamilton is a Twin Cities based multi-disciplinary community focused artist. He has a 21 year career in creating murals & public art. Jordan is also a musician with a focus on woodwinds & a teaching artist having taught w/ JXTA, CAFAC, Sprayfinger & various local schools & orgs. He is a founding member of the Power of Vision mural project & Creatives After Curfew mural collective, as well as a member of Voice of Culture & Million Artist Movement. He is also the creator of Ancestral Aspects Adornment.
Herb Johnson III
Herb Johnson III
Dancer | Educator
McKnight Fellow, Herb Johnson III Aka JDot Tight Eyez graduated from Perpich Center for the Preforming Arts in 2010 and studied 3 years at the Lundstrum Center for Arts. He currently coreographs for Timberwolves Entertainment 612 Crew. Professional work includes iLuminate from America’s Got Talent, Coreographing T-Pain halftime for NBA Abu Dhabi games 2023 and SuperBowl 52 half-time Show 2018 with Justin Timberlake.
DJ Mickey Breeze
DJ Mickey Breeze
DJ | Producer | Recording Artist | Educator
Mickey Breeze is a DJ, producer, recording artist and educator from the Twin Cities. With over 14 years of experience in these industries he has comprised an impressive list of accomplishments including DJing at both local and national events such as SXSW, Soundset Music Festival, Twin Cities Pride, the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, and Paisley Park’s “Crown Our Prince” Mural Reveal and Block Party. He also performs and teaches as a resident DJ/teacher for the Deeper Learning Conference Series, Slam Academy and Minneapolis Public Schools.
This project is funded in part with money from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.