Arts & Culture
Arts and culture is part of Tempe’s fabric
Whether you have a passion for arts and culture, are an occasional theater goer, or your artistic preferences are decidedly fancy or funky, you’ll find something to suit your artistic bent in Tempe. You’ll discover the arts at every turn in Tempe, from contemporary art to Broadway productions to public art installations.
Explore the Arts in Tempe
Public Art in Tempe
Explore Tempe’s diverse collection of permanent and temporary public art.
Learn MoreThe Thought Card Podcast: Where to Experience Arts and Culture in Tempe, AZ
Art Museums, Murals and More
“Air Apparent”, a Skyspace designed by James Turrell
ASU Tempe Campus
Rural Rd. and Terrace Rd.
Tempe, AZ 85287
Arizona Heritage Center
Discover Arizona’s history and visit the Arizona Heritage Center! Experience exhibits, go retro with Phoenix icons like Bob’s Big Boy and Wallace and Ladmo, hang out at an old-time general store, and take a look at a WWII training aircraft.
1300 N. College Ave.
Tempe, AZ 85281
ASU Art Museum
The ASU Art Museum exhibits national and international contemporary artists, with a focus on Latin American art. The Museum houses the largest collection of Cuban art in the U.S. and an award-winning print collection. Exhibitions change seasonally. Admission is free.
ASU Tempe Campus
51 E. 10th St.
Tempe, AZ 85281
ASU Art Museum Ceramics Research Center
The Ceramics Research Center houses and displays the ASU Art Museum’s extensive ceramic collection of close to 4,000 objects. Exhibitions change seasonally and admission is free. The Museum Store is open during Gallery hours.
699 S. Mill Ave., Ste. 108
Tempe, AZ 85281
ASU Gammage
ASU Gammage is among the largest university-based performing arts presenters in the world. It is the home theater of the Desert Financial Broadway Across America – Arizona and the Beyond series. This historic 3,000 seat hall was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
ASU Tempe Campus
1200 S. Forest Ave.
Tempe, AZ 85281
ASU Innovation Gallery
School of Human Evolution & Social Change Bldg.
900 S. Cady Mall
Tempe, AZ 85281
Ballet Arizona
Experience the artistry and excitement of Arizona’s nationally recognized ballet company. The 2022-2023 season offers ballets that will inspire, entertain, and showcase the growing artistic excellence of Ib Andersen and the awe-inspiring Ballet Arizona dancers.
2835 E. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85034
Carnival of Illusion
You will laugh, have fun and celebrate a magical night out at the Carnival of Illusion. This top-rated show is revitalizing magic by blending an “Around the World in 80 Minutes” travel theme with all the charms of a Vaudeville-inspired roadshow.
Tempe Center for the Arts
700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy.
Tempe, AZ 85281
Childsplay Theatre
Herberger Theater Center
222 E. Monroe St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
City of Tempe Galleries – United States Post Office windows
This space, located in Downtown Tempe, highlights local artists working in a variety of media. The exhibitions are fun, eye-catching and unusual and displayed in the windows on the north and east side of the building. Photo: artist installation by Dale Andress.
500 S. Mill Ave.
Tempe, AZ 85281
City of Tempe Public Art
Tempe’s diverse collection of permanent and temporary public art complements the natural and built environment through innovative place-making, installations, and infrastructure enhancements. Tempe Public Art promotes artistic expression, bringing people together to strengthen Tempe’s sense of community and place.
Desert Botanical Garden
Discover the tranquil vibrancy of 50,000 desert plants nestled amid the red rocks of the Papago Buttes at Desert Botanical Garden. An Arizona icon celebrating 80 years, the Garden has grown into a compelling attraction and desert conservation pioneer.
1201 N. Galvin Pkwy.
Phoenix, AZ 85008
Downtown Tempe Public Art Walking Tour
This self-guided tour takes you around Tempe’s vibrant downtown to explore its diverse collection of public art. The works seek to complement the natural and built environment through innovative place-making, installations, and infrastructure enhancements. Photo (by Michael Williams): Movement by The Lady Egg.
Gallery 100
ASU Tempe Campus
65 E. University Dr. Room 111
Tempe, AZ 85281
Gallery at TCA
700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy.
Tempe, AZ, 85281
Gallery of Design
ASU College of Design Bldg. South
810 S. Forest Mall
Tempe, AZ 85287-1905
Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting
National Firefighting Hall of Heroes. Over 70 classic pieces of firefighting apparatus on display, dating from 1725 to 2004. Fire safety exhibits, games and activities for kids. A full-sized fire engine available for boarding. Open Tues. – Sat., 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., closed Sun., open Mon. by appointment for guided group tours.
6101 E. Van Buren St.
Phoenix, AZ 85008
Harry Wood Gallery
ASU Tempe Campus
900 S. Forest Mall
Tempe, AZ 85281
Hayden’s Ferry Chamber Music Series
Classical chamber music is performed by top musicians from all over the world at the Tempe Center for the Arts. Tickets include a reception with the artists following each concert.
Tempe Center for the Arts
700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy.
Tempe, AZ 85281
Heard Museum
2301 N. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
ASU Tempe Campus
Dixie Gammage Hall
1001 S. Forest Mall
Tempe, AZ 85287
Lakeshore Music, Inc.
Tempe Center for the Arts
700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy.
Tempe, AZ 85281
Musical Instrument Museum
Explore the world’s music and cultures at the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM). MIM takes you on a journey around the world, deep into the heart of human creativity. Rated Phoenix’s #1 attraction by TripAdvisor, MIM displays more than 6,800 musical instruments and objects.
4725 E. Mayo Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85050
S’edav Va’aki (formerly Pueblo Grande) Museum & Archaeological Park
4619 E. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85034
Scottsdale Musical Theater Company
Scottsdale Musical Theater Company prides itself on presenting affordable large-scale productions of Broadway musicals in their original versions. Shows feature well-known guest stars from TV, film and Broadway, professional sets and costumes, great local talent and a 20+ piece orchestra.
700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy.
Tempe, AZ 85281
Stray Cat Theatre
Indie theatre company – producing four shows each season that you will not find anywhere else in the Valley. Performances are held primarily at the Tempe Center for the Arts.
Tempe Center for the Arts
700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy.
Tempe, AZ 85281
Tempe Center for the Arts
Tempe Center for the Arts, Arizona’s premier waterfront arts center, is an iconic venue offering exceptional, diverse, inclusive and accessible arts experiences. Enjoy dance, music, theater, comedy and visual arts all under one roof.
700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy.
Tempe, AZ 85281
Tempe History Museum
The museum explores Tempe history through collections, research services, exhibits and programs that captivate and connect with audiences throughout the community and beyond. Open Tuesday – Saturday. Closed Sundays, Mondays and major holidays.
809 E. Southern Ave.
Tempe, AZ 85282
Tempe Symphony Orchestra
The Tempe Symphony Orchestra is a made up of volunteer performers and is owned and operated by the city of Tempe Library & Cultural Services Division.
Tempe Center for the Arts
700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy.
Tempe, AZ 85281
Tempe Town Lake Public Art Walking Tour
This self-guided tour takes you along Tempe Town Lake and through the TCA to explore the city’s diverse collection of public art. The works seek to complement the natural and built environment through innovative place-making, installations, and infrastructure enhancements. Photo: Tree of Life by Marilyn Zwak