At first glance, if you search for Winnipeg, Manitoba, on a map, it appears to be in the middle of nowhere. That’s because it kind of is: the next-closest big city is Minneapolis — and it’s 450 miles away. Look closer, however, and you will see that Winnipeg is also uniquely located smack dab in the middle of North America: in the heart of the continent. And despite its geographical isolation — some will say it’s as a result of it — Winnipeg, which is celebrating its 150-year birthday in 2024, has matured into a cosmopolitan city that is a cauldron of creativity.