A Statewide Canvas of Creativity

Arizona’s creative spirit is on display at art galleries and museums throughout the state. The major metro areas exhibit internationally collected Southwestern and contemporary art. The Heard Museum offers what many consider the world's finest collection of American Indian art. The neighboring Phoenix Art Museum presents a worldwide art tour while Tucson Museum of Art takes a more Western and Latin slant.

Many small towns in Arizona owe their identities to the creators that moved in. In Jerome and Bisbee, artists transformed abandoned mining towns into artist enclaves. In Tubac and Sedona, spectacular natural backdrops attracted artists who grew their new hometowns into major visitor destinations. Plan a trip to any of these creative outposts during art festivals, gallery walks or open-studio tours.

Art galleries in Prescott and Wickenburg display Western art that honors the pioneer spirit of the desert Southwest. At art spaces in Winslow, the Winslow Studio Artists are transforming the railroad and Route 66 town into an international arts pilgrimage. Other surprising museum collections include the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix and the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson. Visit two of the nation’s top natural history displays at the open-air Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson.

In many Arizona cities, self-guided mural walks give even more insights into Arizona’s creative heritage. Throughout Globe, find commercial artworks that depict the town’s mining history. In Benson, cowboy culture dominates the town’s public art while Ajo’s murals capture multicultural scenes.