World Snow Celebration and Minneapolis Institute of Art Announce NEW Partnership for 2026

The World Snow Celebration, an international gathering of snow sculptors and cultural storytellers from across the globe, is proud to announce a new partnership with the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia). This collaboration unites two leading winter arts experiences and underscores a shared belief: that art, whether carved in snow, sculpted in ice, or curated within museum walls, has the power to connect communities around the world.

Formed in early 2025, the partnership between the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Mia reflects a mutual commitment to elevating global creativity and expanding cultural exchange throughout Minnesota’s vibrant winter season. Together, the organizations will celebrate artistic excellence, international perspectives, and the transformative role of art in bringing people together.

As part of this collaboration, Mia’s annual Institute of Ice event on January 8, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., will feature a smaller ice version of Team Colima (Mexico)’s design—a preview of the larger, full-scale sculpture they’ll create in snow for the World Snow Celebration in Stillwater, on view January 13 to February 6.

The partnership continues on Sunday, January 11, at 4:30 p.m. with a live panel at Mia in the Pillsbury Auditorium. Sculptors from Denmark (Team Eastwood), Mexico (Team Colima), and Turkey (Team Türkiye) will share insights into their creative processes, their global artistic influences, and the teamwork and innovation required to transform snow into monumental works of art.

“The World Snow Celebration is built on the idea that creativity transcends borders,” said Robin Anthony-Evenson, President of the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce Foundation. “Our partnership with Mia strengthens this mission and allows us to celebrate artists who bring extraordinary vision, skill, and cultural depth to a medium shaped by the elements themselves.”

“At Mia, we believe art lives everywhere—inside our galleries, throughout our communities, and even within snow and ice,” said Rob Bedeaux, Head of Marketing at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. “This partnership brings winter to life through ice sculptures, including a work by Team Mexico.

The outdoor experiences are paired with live performances by the Minnesota Orchestra and cozy Nordic-inspired experiences, highlighting the remarkable global artists who turn winter into a canvas. We are thrilled to collaborate in uplifting their stories and artistic mastery.”

Together, Mia and the World Snow Celebration invite the public to experience winter through a global artistic lens—one that honors cultural exchange, celebrates community, and showcases creativity in its most awe-inspiring forms.

Learn More + Get Involved
Institute of Ice at Mia (January 8): Discover this year’s live ice sculptures and explore the creativity behind global winter art. No tickets required.

The Art of Snow Sculpting: In Conversation with World Snow Celebration (January 11 at 4:30 p.m.): Free tickets for the snow sculptors panel are available HERE.

World Snow Celebration (January 13 - 25): Full event details, the 16 global team bios, and programming can be found at www.worldsnowcelebration.com.

About World Snow Celebration 
The World Snow Celebration is an annual winter festival held in Stillwater, Minnesota. At the heart of the celebration is the World Snow Sculpting Championship, which showcases international snow sculpting talent while offering live entertainment, family activities, cultural programming and regional food and beverage experiences. Founded in partnership with the Greater Stillwater Chamber Foundation, the City of Stillwater, and title sponsor HealthPartners, the festival has become a signature celebration of winter artistry and community spirit in Minnesota.
About Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce and Foundation

The Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce is an inclusive organization that serves, advocates, and promotes the interests of businesses while enriching the life of the community. Serving their members is not an obligation; it is a privilege. The Chamber represents its membership and community with the tagline, “Bridging Business & Community.” The Chamber works with its partners and communities to make Stillwater stronger and more vibrant. For more information, please visit greaterstillwaterchamber.com.
About the Minneapolis Institute of Art

Home to more than 100,000 works of art representing 5,000 years of world history, the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) inspires wonder, spurs creativity, and nourishes the imagination. With extraordinary exhibitions and one of the finest art collections in the country—from all corners of the globe, from ancient to contemporary—Mia links the past to the present, enables global conversations, and offers an exceptional setting for inspiration. 

General admission to Mia is always free, but some special exhibitions charge a nominal fee.

For more information, call + 1 612 870 3000 or visit www.artsmia.org. Everyone is welcome. Always.