It’s safe to say that Phoenix has a thriving contemporary art scene. Do a Google search for contemporary art in the Phoenix Metro area and the well-established art museums appear, but also dozens of private galleries pop up. From the Roosevelt Row District in central Phoenix to the surrounding East Valley cities of Tempe, Scottsdale, Chandler and Mesa, you’ll find a plethora of art museums and galleries exhibiting a diverse range of contemporary art by internationally recognized artists like James Turrell and promising emerging artists. Here are a few to get you started exploring the dynamic Metro Phoenix contemporary art scene, starting with Tempe. For more information on Tempe’s art museums and galleries, visit the Tempe Tourism Arts and Culture page.
Tempe
ASU Art Museum presents cutting edge exhibitions and innovative programming that is relevant to life today. The museum’s collections include many works by Latin American artists. The ASU Art Museum is recognized internationally for its large collection of important works by Cuban artists of the 1990s.
51 E. 10th St., Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 965-2787
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; open late on Thursday until 8 p.m.; closed Sunday, Monday and university holidays
Free admission
ASU Art Museum Ceramics Research Center and Brickyard Gallery’s open storage concept enables visitors to enjoy the majority of the 4,000 piece collection that demonstrates the full range of technique, aesthetic approaches and possibilities within the medium. The Ceramics Research Center features three to five exhibitions annually that focus on important movements and artists who have made significant contributions in the ceramics field.
699 S. Mill Ave, Suite 108, Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 965-2787
Hours: Thursday-Saturday 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. (New hours start Oct 26: Wednesday-Saturday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
Free admission
Gallery at the Tempe Center for the Arts features rotating exhibitions that showcase a wide variety of local and regional artists as well as themes of popular and cultural interest.
700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 350-2822
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Free admission
United States Post Office windows are located in the heart of downtown Tempe. Exhibits highlight local artists working in a variety of media and themes with emphasis on work that is fun, eye catching and unusual. Artwork appears in the windows on the north and east side of the building.
500 S. Mill Ave. (5th Street and Mill Avenue), Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 350-4311
Hours: Visible from the street 24-hours-a-day; 7-days-a-week
Phoenix
Phoenix Art Museum has been an institution of exciting art and learning since 1959; it’s the largest art museum in the southwestern United States, providing access to art from all over the world. The museum’s Contemporary Collection – includes large-scale photography, outdoor sculpture and art created in a variety of surprising and unexpected materials, plus more “traditional” paintings on canvas.
1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 257-1880
Hours: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (First Friday 10 a.m.-10 p.m.); Wednesday 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday 12-5 p.m. Closed Monday.
Admission: Adults $18-$23; Seniors 65+ $15-$20; Students w/ID $13-$18; Youth 6-17 $9-$14; free for youth under 6 and museum members
Lisa Sette Gallery has been at the forefront of the Phoenix contemporary art scene for 30 years. The collection is displayed in a building designed by mid-century architect Al Beadle.
210 E. Catalina Dr., Phoenix, AZ 85012
(480) 990-7342
Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 12-5 p.m. and by appointment
Bentley Gallery has been synonymous with contemporary painting and sculpture in the Southwestern United States for more than thirty years. The gallery represents mid-career and museum-collected artists from the U.S. and Europe who work in a diverse range of mediums, including painting, sculpture, photography, drawing, textiles, installation art and video.
215 E. Grant St., Phoenix, AZ 85004
(480) 946-6060
Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. or by appointment
Scottsdale
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) showcase changing exhibitions and works from the Museum’s growing permanent collection which includes the celebrated James Turrell Skyspace, Knight Rise.
7374 E. Second St., Scottsdale, AZ 85251
(480) 874-4666
Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday 12-5 p.m.
Admission: Adults $10; Students $7; Seniors (65+) and veterans $7; 15 and under free. Free on Thursdays & the second Saturday of every month
Art One Gallery, Inc. has represented emerging and established Arizona artists since 1993. It provides artists a place of free expression and an opportunity to gain experience to move up the ladder in the gallery world. Art One takes pride in making original and creative art affordable for anyone who is interested in starting their own collection.
4130 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
(480) 946-5076
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.- 5:30 p.m.
Sunday Closed.
ArtWalk every Thursday from 7-9 p.m.
Chandler
Vision Gallery is a non-profit art gallery located in Chandler City Hall that presents works by local and regional artists in rotating exhibitions.
10 E. Chicago St., Chandler, AZ 85225
(480) 782-2695
Hours: Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Free admission
Mesa
Mesa Contemporary Art Museum presents cutting edge and innovative exhibitions of prominent and emerging artists.
1 E. Main St., Mesa, AZ 85201
(480) 644-6560
Hours: Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday 12-4 p.m.
Free admission
