Phoenix Art Museum: 1,000 years of beauty
Be it European Realists and Impressionists, 8th century Chinese vases, contemporary Latin American muralists, or one of the more extensive collections of Arizona's own surrealist artist, Philip Curtis, the Phoenix Art Museum offers more than 1,000 years of beauty.
Open since 1959, the Phoenix Art Museum provides more than 200,000 square feet of visual art. Featured artists include Rembrandt, Norman Rockwell, Claude Monet, Diego Rivera, Annie Leibowitz and more. The museum's collection boasts more than 18,000 works from all over the world, with Asian, Latin American, European and American art. The collection also features photography, modern and contemporary art and fashion design.
Since 2001, the Phoenix Art Museum has displayed paintings from more than 50 years of Philip Curtis' career in the Ullman Center for the Art of Philip C. Curtis. The American artist, called the "Magritte of the Old West," was the founding director of what became the Phoenix Art Museum, and he died in Scottsdale in 2000. The abstract and surrealist works of other like-minded artists are included in this same exhibit.
Guided tours of the museum are available. They also offer a self-directed free English/Spanish audio guides that features brief information on the artists and their work.
There are also rotating exhibits that highlight different artists and themes. Visit the website for more information about current and future exhibits.
On a budget? You can visist the Phoenix Art Museum and other participating arts and cultural institutions for free by checking out a Culture Pass from the library. The passes are good for a family of up to four members and are available these libraries.
You can also visit the Phoenix Art Museum for free on Wednesday nights or during the First Friday artwalk every first Friday of the month.
The Phoenix Art Museum also hosts art festivals, live performances, film screenings, educational lectures, discussions and children’s and teen programs.
While at the museum, you can visit Arcadia Farms Café for lunch, dinner or just a snack. The restaurant offers sandwiches, salads, a variety of specialty drinks and desserts, as well as a kids' menu. For a complete menu and more information on Arcadia Farms, click here.
The museum offers a variety of membership options, starting at $75. Memberships include free admission, members-only events, advanced ticketing for events and discounts to the museum store, the Arcadia Farms Café, classes, workshops and seminars and more.
- by Jennifer Pruett, Phoenix Reporter for HelloMetro
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Jennifer PruettA self proclaimed “queen of everything," Jennifer is a writer, planner and passionate lover of making exciting events extra special. As a creative mother of two she loves art, music, family, friends, exotic cuisine and exploring new areas of self improvement. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal studies from the University of Oklahoma and has been writing restaurant and attraction reviews in the Phoenix Metro area since January, 2009.
