The Arts in Tucson
An Oasis of Culture in the Desert
The Wall Street Journal has referred to Tucson as a "mini-Mecca for the arts." Here's a short list why:
Performing Arts
Catch a play, take in live music, or enjoy a dance performance. Tucson is one of a select few cities of its size that boasts its own ballet company, professional theater, symphony, and opera company. Art Museums
Art aficionados will be thrilled to find that Tucson is home to top-notch art museums, including the nationally acclaimed Center for Creative Photography, Tucson Museum of Art, and University of Arizona Museum of Art. Galleries
With more than 215 art groups and organizations in town and more than 35 art galleries in the downtown district alone, Tucson ranks as one of one of the best places in the state to view works by the masters as well as up-and-coming artists.Concerts
Tucson Convention Center
The Tucson Convention Center is the place for intimate jazz concerts, major headliners, full-blown Broadway productions and more. Desert Diamond Casino
Desert Diamond brings in music headliners and other events. Casino Del Sol
The AVA Ampitheater at Casino del Sol hosts top entertainers in a beautiful open-air venue. The Rialto Theater
The historic Rialto hosts a broad array of performers and talent, including rock bands, jam bands, comedians, heavy metal, hip hop, film, jazz, flamenco, country, skiffle - you name it, we've hosted it. Except chamber music. That belongs in chambers only. Tucson Jazz Society
Your source for Tucson's jazz scene. In our 28th season of promoting, presenting and preserving America's music through concerts and educational activities. Search for Music in our Major Events Calendar >> Search for Music in our Community Events Calendar >> Public Art There are literally hundreds of works of public art in every part of Tucson. Here's a list of the must-see works. For more information call the Tucson/Pima Arts Council at (520) 624-0595. Exchange at the Presidio, by Clyde Ross Morgan, 1996
El Presidio Park. 255 W. Alameda.
This sculpture commemorates the first raising of the American Flag in Tucson in 1846 by the Mormon Battalion. It depicts the peaceful entry of the battalion into the small settlement and the exchange of goods with settlers at the Presidio. Father Kino, by Julian Martinez, 1988
Northwest corner of Kino Blvd. & Winsett St.
This equestrian sculpture commemorates the role of the Jesuit priest, Father Eusebio Francisco Kino, in the European colonization of Northern Mexico and Southern Arizona. Additional castings of this sculpture are on display in Kino's birthplace, Trento, Italy and Magdalena, Mexico, where he is buried. Gila Monsters, by Robert Vint, Dan Wilhelm & Mike Wilhelm
Bridge on Irvington Rd. over the Santa Cruz River near Mission Rd.
Two larger-than-life Gila Monster lizards rise out of the bridge deck, their tails touching at the exact center of the bridge. The work is built of sprayed concrete and encrusted in a mosaic of broken ceramic tile. Murals at El Rio Neighborhood Center,
by Antonio Pazos, David Tineo & Others, 1975-1997
1390 W. Speedway Blvd.
There are more murals at the El Rio Neighborhood Center than at any other location in Tucson. Rich in Mexican and Mexican-American images, several of the early murals celebrate the success of the community in getting the center built. Pioneer Memorial, by Benjamino Bufano & Bernard Maybeck, 1920
200 S. 6th Ave.
This sculpture is the oldest work of public art in Tucson. The large marble bench was designed by a pioneer of modern architecture, Bernard Maybeck. Beniamino Bufano executed the relief in Classic Revival style. Sonora, by David Bleck, 1991
Main Library Plaza. 101 N. Stone.
The large abstract red sculpture was commissioned in conjunction with the construction of the Main Library downtown. The painted steel structure was funded by the "percent for the art" program, which sets aside one percent of all city and county capital improvement projects for public art. Diamondback Bridge, by Simon Donovan, 2003
East Broadway Blvd, West of Euclid Ave.
Also known as "The Snake Bridge," this controversial work is a functioning pedestrian bridge in the shape of a diamondback rattlesnake. |
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Browse Our Arts Businesses:
Tucson was ranked #20 for the 2009 Top 25 Arts Destinations (big-cities category) by American Style Magazine. Tucson was ranked #9 for the 2007 Top 25 Arts Destinations (mid-sized city category) by American Style Magazine.
Upcoming Arts Events
Canyons of the Southwest: cliffs, gorges and chasms - Nov. 13 - Jan. 10 Tohono Chul Park's newest art exhibit in the Exhibit Hall include paintings, fiber art, photography and works in a variety of media that explore specific southwestern canyons, or express a sense of canyon spaces in abstract and imaginative works., 520-742-6455.
Art + Design: etherton invites - Nov. 16 - Nov. 28 Etherton Gallery, in downtown Tucson, hosts an exhibition uniting works of contemporary art and interior design, and featuring such nationally known Tucson designers and artists as Stephen Paul of Arroyo Design, Scott Baker of Baker + Hesseldenz, and Tom Philabaum of Philabaum Glass Studio and Gallery., 520-624-7370.
Day of the Dead Altar at Arizona History Museum - Nov. 16 - Jan. 5 Arizona History Museum presents a traditional Mexican Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) altar featuring offerings from the museum's collection of Territorial artifacts, including photographs and artworks. Opening reception is Oct. 30, 5-7p.m., 520-628-5695.
DeGrazia: 100 Years, 100 Works - Nov. 16 - Jan. 15 A retrospective exhibition of 100 works of art by Tucson artist Ted DeGrazia (1909-1982), including examples of artwork that brought him international acclaim, displayed as part of a centennial celebration commemorating the 100th anniversary of the artist's birth., 520-299-9191.
Scarecrows in the Garden - Nov. 16 - Nov. 30 Tucson Botanical Gardens celebrates the beauty and bounty of autumn with a display and sale of scarecrows handcrafted by local artists, businesses, staff, and volunteers to benefit the Gardens, 520-326-9686.
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Helpful Links
Tucson Downtown Alliance
Central Tucson Gallery Association
Broadway in Tucson
Tucson Scene
Tucson Kitchen Musicians Association |
