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Scottsdale Arts and Culture

From Talieson West, Frank Lloyd Wright's "winter camp" in the desert, to the array of over 125 art galleries, Scottsdale has a terrific culture for artist's and art lovers the world over.  In fact, Scottsdale has more art galleries per capita than any other city in America!  Many of the art galleries feature Western and/or Native American art.  There is a weekly "Art Walk" on Thursday evenings in downtown Scottsdale where some of the most prominent artists in America are featured.   The event is sponsored by the Scottsdale Gallery Association.

Love Artwork by Robert Indiana

LOVE
by Robert Indiana

Conceived in a time when the United States was consumed by the Vietnam War, LOVE became a symbol for Peace. This famous sculpture is one of the most celebrated works within the pop art movement as well the art world as a whole.

Location

The sculpture sits in the Civic Center Mall, between the Scottsdale Center for the Arts and the Civic Center Library.

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Scottsdale Public Art Project

The mission of the Scottsdale Public Art Program is to make Scottsdale one of the most desirable communities in the country in which to live, work and visit by incorporating art and design projects throughout. As a central defining characteristic of our community, public art enhances Scottsdale's unique character, image and identity.

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Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art

Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art LogoFounded in 1999, the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art [SMoCA] is the only museum in Arizona devoted to the art, architecture and design of our time. Global in its focus, the Museum is a unique and vital cultural resource for the Southwest, serving local audiences as well as visitors from throughout the United States and abroad. Designed by award-winning architect Will Bruder, SMoCA's minimalist building (an ingenious renovation of a former movie theater) has five galleries for showcasing changing exhibitions and works from the Museum's growing permanent collection. SMoCA also features an outdoor sculpture garden housing James Turrell's Knight Rise, one of the renowned artist's few public skyspaces, and Scrim Wall, a monumental curtain of prismatic glass by James Carpenter Design Associates. The Museum presents a wide variety of educational programs and special events for adults and families, including lectures, docent-led tours, workshops and classes. The Store @ SMoCA offers classic design objects and furnishings, contemporary jewelry, art and architecture books and imaginative gifts for all occasions.

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Scottsdale Arts Festival

Scottsdale Arts Festival LogoThis is one of the premier arts festivals in America and has been in existence since 1971.  In March, during the height of the tourist season in Scottsdale, the Festival is held during a three day weekend and usually attracts up to 40,000 attendees.  Various organizations benefit from the proceeds of the Arts Festival including the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts' arts education and community outreach programs.

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