"Tucson ... Mini Mecca for the Arts"- Wall Street Journal

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 purchase fine art and jewelry.

Photographic Collection to Rival New York & L.A.

The Center for Creative Photography's (CCP) collections include such greats as Ansel Adams, Edward Weston and Richard Avedon, and totals more than 80,000 works by 2,000 photographers, making it one of the best and largest collections in the world. CCP holds more archives and individual works by 20th-century North American photographers than any other museum in the nation. Viewing of works not currently on display is by appointment.

Visit the Artist Colony of Tubac

The late painter Dale Nichols recreated Tubac as an art colony, staring a school in 1948 and painting in a Tubac studio for six years. Since then, notable artists such as (the late) Hal Empie, Hugh Cabot, Nicholas Wilson and Michael Gibbons have made Tubac their home, along with dozens of other painters, potters & sculptors. Works by internationally known artists fill Tubac's burgeoning galleries, bringing national acclaim to the area.

Performing Arts in a Peerless Historic Setting

See a concert or movie in grand 1930s style at the Fox Theatre. Designed in 1929 as a dual vaudeville/movie house with Art Deco, Mayan, Egyptian and Native American inspired decor, the Fox underwent a 13-million-dollar restoration to its original splendor and reopened on New Year's Eve in 2005. In addition to a schedule of classic movies this summer, the Fox hosts performers, Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra in June and Leon Russell in July.

Let the Music Move You

Tucson sways to the beat of a myriad of different drums from all over the world. On June 21, the Arizona State Museum on the UA Campus is Marking the Summer Solstice with a festival that features songs, stories, dances and demonstrations relating to the summer solstice and a magical evening performance of fire and acrobatics by Flam Chen.

And throughout the summer you can get into the swing with jazz from the Tucson Jazz Society, or take your blanket to Reid Park and enjoy free Music Under the Stars with the Tucson Pops Orchestra.