Art Lover's Guide to Phoenix & Scottsdale

With fabulous museums to iconic architecture, world-class galleries to inspiring performance arts, Phoenix and Scottsdale’s cultural landscape boasts a vibrant arts community.

And whether you’re a longtime local or a visitor to the region, Phoenix and Scottsdale’s art scene delights art lovers of all persuasions. Here, we highlight a handful of the many museums, institutions, and offerings to inspire a beautiful experience – whether it’s on your next vacation or a day on the town.


SCOUTED ART GALLERIES & MUSEUMS


ARTSTUDIO 1.0.1

5103 E Thomas Rd, Phoenix | @artstudio1.0.1 | In 2000, Faye Urlacher capitalized on her background in art and interior design to launch artstudio 101. A full-service art consulting firm with a decidedly personalized, collaborative approach, artstudio 101 has developed relationships with galleries, artists, and dealers both locally and across the country, emerging as a leading consultancy with a loyal following. It should be noted that the artstudio 101 team itself is a loyal group, with an all-woman team boasting decades of work together. Read the Member Spotlight…

BENTLEY GALLERY

250 E McKinley St, Phoenix | @BentleyGallery | For over 35 years Bentley Gallery has been synonymous with contemporary painting and sculpture in the Southwestern United States. The Phoenix art gallery represents mid-career and museum-collected artists, exhibiting a diverse range of mediums, including paintings, sculpture, photography installation, art, and video.

BONNER DAVID GALLERIES

7040 E. Main Street, Scottsdale | @bonnerdavidgalleries | @bonnerdavidnewyork | Owners Christi Bonner Manuelito and Clark David Olson have created one of the largest, most-respected galleries in Scottsdale and New York. With dual exhibition spaces — one representing the finest traditional paintings and sculptures, the other showcasing the best in contemporary art — their fabulously curated collection showcases the work of 50 renowned artists and is certain to broker a deeper appreciation for the beauty of different artistic styles. Read the Member Spotlight…

PHOENIX ART MUSEUM

1625 N Central Ave, Phoenix | @phxart | The largest art museum in the southwestern United States, Phoenix Art Museum showcases a collection of more than 20,000 to ignite imaginations. Enjoy works spanning American and Western American art, Latin American art, Asian art, European art, modern and contemporary art, fashion design, and photography across an equally diverse array of mediums. 


CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS & MUSUEMS


ARIZONA SCIENCE CENTER

600 E Washington Street, Phoenix | @azscience | Located in Downtown Phoenix, Arizona Science Center is an interactive hub for discovery. Curious minds will enjoy an array of family-friendly installations, exhibitions, and programming spanning biology to space – and everything in between.

ASU GAMMAGE

1200 S Forest Ave, Tempe | @asugammage | ASU Gammage is both an architectural landmark and home for the arts. As a world-class art presenting organization, ASU Gammage brings the best of performing arts to Arizona and produces new works, sponsors artist residencies, and directs education programs to foster the great artists of today and empower the artists of tomorrow.

DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN

1201 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix | @dbgphx | Desert Botanical Gardens is a stunning 140-acre botanical garden dedicated to the unique flora and fauna of the Sonoran Desert. With over 50,000 species of desert plants, it’s one of the most beautiful research and conservation centers worldwide. Make sure to check their events calendar before you visit, its seasonal programming is spectacular.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM 

4725 E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix | @mimphx | The world’s largest museum dedicated to musical instruments, the Musical Instrument Museum showcases 15,000 instruments and associated objects from nearly 200 countries and every inhabited continent. It’s a veritable haven for the musically inclined, as well as an architecturally stunning building.

TALIESIN WEST

12621 N Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd, Scottsdale | @wrighttaliesin | Deeply connected to the desert from which it was forged, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West possesses an almost prehistoric grandeur. Taliesin functioned as the iconic architect’s desert laboratory. Built and maintained almost entirely by Wright and his apprentices, Taliesin West is among the most personal of the architect’s creations. Taliesin is open 7 days a week with a variety of tours and programming, including seasonal specials and recurring events.

HEARD MUSEUM

2301 N Central Ave | @heardmuseum | The Heard Museum is one of the world’s preeminent museums for the presentation, interpretation, and advancement of American Indian art. The museum includes 12 exhibition galleries, free guided tours, outdoor sculpture gardens, a renowned café, a contemporary art gallery, trading-post style shopping, and much more.

JAPANESE FRIENDSHIP GARDEN

1125 N. 3rd Avenue, Phoenix | @jfgphx | The Japanese Friendship Garden, also known as RoHoEn, is a joint project of the City of Phoenix and Sister City Himeji, Japan. Featuring a stroll garden, tea garden, tea house, stone garden, and courtyard garden, it’s a beautiful, serene spot in the heart of Downtown.

SCOTTSDALE MUSEUM OF THE WEST

3830 N Marshall Way, Scottsdale | Western spirit reigns at Scottsdale Museum of the West, a 43,000-square-foot museum featuring the art, culture, and history of 19 states in the American West, Western Canada, and Mexico.

SMOCA

7374 E 2nd St, Scottsdale | @_smoca | Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCa for short) is a must-visit for art lovers. Designed by award-winning architect Will Bruder, SMoCA is an ingenious reimagination of a former movie theater housing four galleries that showcase contemporary art, architecture, and design.

PHOENIX SYMPHONY

75 N 2nd Street, Phoenix | @phoenixsymphony | The Phoenix Symphony is Arizona’s only full-time, professional symphony orchestra and the state’s largest performing arts group. Concerts are held at Orpheum Theater which, in combination with the sensational talent, make for a lovely evening.

SCOTTSDALE ARTISTS’ SCHOOL

3720 N Marshall Way, Scottsdale | @scottsdaleartschool | Renowned world-wide in the artist community but unknown to most Phoenicians, Scottsdale Artists’ School offers 250+ art classes and workshops led by the nation’s leading artists, with many students traveling from all over the world to participate. They also have a vibrant youth academy and are involved in many outreach initiatives throughout the valley.

THE PHOENIX THEATRE COMPANY

1825 N Central Ave, Phoenix | @phxtheatre | A storied thespian program, The Phoenix Theatre Company offers exceptional theatrical experiences. Producing nearly 500 performances across multiple stages each year and running thriving outreach programs, The Phoenix Theatre Company inspires tens of thousands yearly.

WRIGLEY MANSION

2501 E Telawa Trail, Phoenix | @wrigleymansion | A stunning Phoenix landmark commanding equally stunning views, Wrigley Mansion is a must-visit icon for the architecturally inclined. Originally built by chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr, the mansion showcases curated elements of Spanish, California Monterey, and Mediterranean styles. Wrigley Mansions offers tours, dinner, live jazz Fridays, Sunday Brunch, and a bar menu.


Enjoy and don’t forget to tell them Scout sent you!


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