Scottsdale: the vibrant art capital of Arizona. Maybe it’s the Southwestern light or the creosote-scented air after a desert rain. Maybe it’s the technicolor sunrises and sunsets, or the strength and beauty of the ubiquitous Saguaro cactus. Perhaps it’s the independent, free spirit of this Southwestern city. For many reasons, Scottsdale has always inspired creative expression among artists working in all mediums, from ancient Puebloan potters to today’s cutting-edge installation artists.
SCOTTSDALE PUBLIC ART
In a destination that embraces creativity and boasts 330 days of sunshine per year, it’s no wonder art is found on nearly every street corner. When visitors stroll down the streets of Scottsdale, they notice striking statues, dramatic fountains and other large-scale public works, thanks to the Scottsdale Public Art Program.
The city’s public art collection includes 162 public artworks and more than 1,000 temporary artworks found in city-owned buildings, preserving Scottsdale’s cultural heritage for future generations.
In the heart of Old Town Scottsdale, visitors will find a variety of public artworks of note, including Robert Indiana’s iconic “LOVE” sculpture and “Knight Rise,” a Skyspace created by internationally celebrated earth and light artist, James Turrell.
Nearby, Soleri Bridge and Plaza is built over the Arizona Canal, serving as a pedestrian passage and solar calendar — the only bridge ever constructed by the late, famed architect and designer, Paolo Soleri.
See these three works and many more inspiring pieces in Old Town on a Scottsdale Public Art self-guided walking tour.
MUSEUMS
Designed by famous local architect Will Bruder, the downtown Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art is a stylish space with five ever-changing galleries devoted to art, architecture and design.
Old West meets New West at Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, which opened in January 2015 to showcase historic and contemporary works from all 19 western states. Following a landmark expansion in March 2026, the museum now features 55,000 square feet of gallery and exhibition space, anchored by the brand-new, two-story Louis Sands IV Center. This 12,000-square-foot wing introduces four major new exhibitions, seamlessly integrating historic frontier works and contemporary Southwestern art with the museum’s existing galleries and outdoor sculpture courtyard.
The vision of former Target CEO Robert Ulrich, Musical Instrument Museum awes music lovers of all ages. Home to a global collection of more than 15,000 musical instruments and historic artifacts sourced from nearly 200 countries and territories, MIM features approximately one-third of its treasures on display at any given time. Dynamic, interactive galleries allow visitors to engage deeply with instruments spanning diverse global cultures as well as those played by musical icons like Elvis Presley and John Lennon.
Taliesin West was built by iconic architect Frank Lloyd Wright and his apprentices in the 1930s as his personal home, studio and architectural laboratory. Tucked into the foothills of Scottsdale, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the ultimate masterclass in organic architecture, blending seamlessly into the surrounding desert landscape. Today, the campus serves as the lively global headquarters for the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, offering daily tours that provide insights into his life’s work.
PERMANENT ATTRACTIONS
Wonderspaces is a breakthrough concept that partners with U.S. and international artists to bring engaging artwork to new audiences. In 2019, Scottsdale Fashion Square became Wonderspaces’ first permanent home, where visitors enjoy an ever-changing art show featuring immersive, interactive installations and a full bar.
Every Thursday night since 1975, the art galleries in the Old Town are lit up by Scottsdale ArtWalk, where visitors and locals mingle with artists and art enthusiasts, exploring everything from modern, contemporary art to large-scale sculptures. Throughout the year, themed art walks feature additional entertainment and unique experiences.
Since opening in 1975, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts has provided a diverse season of dance, music, theater, comedy and film. More than 1,000 indoor and outdoor performances, educational programs, festivals and other events are presented and hosted annually.
Cosanti, just north of Old Town Scottsdale, is the former home and studio of renowned architect Paolo Soleri. Now a designated Arizona Historic Site, the location is famous for its unique, earth-cast concrete structures and terraced landscapes. Visitors can take a walking tour of the grounds and watch artisans continue Soleri’s work firsthand, pouring molten bronze and firing ceramic wind bells on site.
Tucked away on 13 acres just north of Old Town Scottsdale, Cattle Track Arts Compound is a historic, rustic artist colony that has championed local craftsmen since the 1930s. Visitors can tour the grounds to see working studios spanning pottery, printmaking and blacksmithing or attend community heritage events. A recent partnership with Scottsdale Arts has expanded public programming and access while preserving Cattle Track's independent spirit. The campus also is home to The School of Architecture. Celebrating nearly 100 years of design education, TSOA began as Frank Lloyd Wright’s apprenticeship program at Taliesin West.
ANNUAL EVENTS & FESTIVALS
Experience the intersection of art, water and light at Canal Convergence. Held annually in November, this premier free event by Scottsdale Public Art transforms the Scottsdale Waterfront into a canvas of large-scale, cutting-edge light installations from international artists. Beyond the glowing water features, visitors experience live music, dance performances and artist talks.
Every January through March for more than 30 years, the Celebration of Fine Art has called Scottsdale home. During the event, visitors traverse 40,000 square feet of working studios for 100 renowned and emerging artists from across the country, interacting with them along the way.
Each March, Scottsdale Art Week is a premier four-day international art fair that brings together global galleries, serious collectors and art enthusiasts. Held annually at WestWorld of Scottsdale, the event showcases an array of fine art, ranging from blue-chip masterworks by legendary artists to contemporary, Indigenous, Western and emerging talents.
While in Scottsdale, art connoisseurs shouldn’t miss the bi-annual Larsen Art Auction (held in April and October) for modern and contemporary consignment pieces from renowned artists, and film buffs will want to make time for the Western Week Movie Series (in late January and early February), to see a collection of classic and award-winning Western musicals and films.
ARTSY HOTELS
Some of Scottsdale’s finest resorts boast impressive art collections that are free to browse as a resort guest or just a curious day-tripper.
The Gallery at Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale adds a special touch to this modern resort, with museum-quality exhibitions and new works debuting every few months. Self-led gallery tours and opening receptions with the artists are also open to guests.
The Phoenician and The Canyon Suites at The Phoenician are home to 11 sculptures from renowned Native American artist Allan Houser, who was awarded the 1992 National Medal of Arts by President George H.W. Bush. Take a self-guided tour of Houser’s work, located throughout the resort grounds, and explore the resort’s extensive art collection, known as the Eaton Fine Art program.
Considered by many to be the best-preserved midcentury modern hotel in the U.S., Hotel Valley Ho offers expert-led architectural tours of the buildings and grounds, designed by Edward L. Varney, a contemporary of Frank Lloyd Wright. Having opened in Old Town in 1956, the hotel’s design is defined by its minimalist lines and functional elegance, referred to as “desert modernism.”
The Art Walk at The Hermosa Inn blends historic Western heritage with international fine art. Originally the 1930s home and studio of cowboy artist Alonzo "Lon" Megargee, the inn houses one of the largest permanent collections of his original work, alongside an outdoor exhibition of more than 20 stone sculptures representing Zimbabwe's world-renowned Shona art movement. Hand-carved from unique regional minerals like serpentine and springstone, these contemporary pieces are on loan from Scottsdale's Paul Scott Gallery.
The desert pathways of the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa feature striking monumental bronze sculptures by master realist Dave McGary. Celebrated for his historical accuracy and deep cultural respect, McGary’s work depicts lifelike Native American figures, capturing the intricate textures of feathers, leather and fringe entirely out of bronze.
Through the Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows’ partnership with Cattle Track, local artists from the compound participate in talks, lectures, exhibitions and live performances on property – and are the people behind the artwork displayed in the guestrooms and throughout the resort’s common areas.
Discover more ways to experience the arts in Scottsdale.
