Fall Arts & Culture Directory
Fall Arts & Culture FALL 2017
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Fall Arts & Culture Directory
ACT ONE Founded on the belief that every child should have access to the arts, Act One provides children from Title 1 schools the opportunity to experience educational arts field trips, paying for the tickets and busing that too often are cut from school budgets. This year, Act One has capacity to bring more than 40,000 students on field trips in metropolitan Phoenix and Tucson thanks to the generous support of community donors. Act One also partners with dozens of arts organizations to make free admissions available through the Culture Pass, available in 60 libraries statewide. www.act1az.org
ARIZONA BACH FESTIVAL This annual festival brings the nation’s top artists to perform the masterpieces of Johannes Sebastian Bach. Concerts are held each weekend in January, classical guitarists, pianists and string quartets arrive in Phoenix for this Baroque music immersion. arizonabachfestival.org
ARIZONA BROADWAY THEATRE Arizona Broadway Theatre, a 501 (c)(3) arts organization, has grown to become the highest attended year-round live theatre in the Valley of the Sun. Recognized as the “Best Playhouse” of the Valley by PHOENIX Magazine in 2010, ABT has redefined what it means to “grab dinner and a show.” Avoid having to rush around the Phoenix sprawl to enjoy a night out on the town. The “ABT Experience” has everything you need all in one convenient location! azbroadway.org
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Fall Arts & Culture Directory
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Fall Arts & Culture Directory
ARIZONA CITIZENS FOR THE ARTS Arizona Citizens for the Arts (AzCA) works every day to help build a vibrant, well-funded arts and culture sector that contributes to shaping the future for our young people and the vitality of our local communities. For more than 35 years, AzCA has been the voice of non-profit arts and culture, promoting arts-friendly public policy at all levels of government and increased funding, and insuring arts and culture gets rightful credit for the contributions it makes to local community vitality, tourism, business attraction and job growth. azcitizensforthearts.org
ARIZONA CONSORTIUM FOR THE ARTS The Arizona Consortium for the Arts is an all-volunteer (501c3) community organization. During the Annual Blue Guitar Festival of the Arts, the Annual Fall Festival of the Arts, the monthly Open Mics and Magazines the public celebrates local artists through presentations, exhibitions, readings and performances. The Blue Guitar, a literary and arts magazine features local emerging and established writers and artists. The Blue Guitar Jr. Edition features works by children and works by adults who write for children. Unstrung magazine is solely dedicated to poetry. We support and give voices and visibility to Arizona artists in all disciplines and genres, organizations and audiences, through continuous events, festivals and programs free to the community. artizona.org
ARIZONA HERITAGE CENTER AT PAPAGO PARK Arizona Heritage Center at Papago Park, home of the Centennial Museum, features exhibits spanning 100 years of Central Arizona history, making it the perfect place to enjoy the best of Arizona’s past and present. Journey through time, from western frontier days through the post-war building boom. Learn how water sustains life in the desert and discover the beauty and variety of Arizona’s vast natural resources. Nestled in the foothills of beautiful Papago Park, the museum is ideal for group tours, corporate events, weddings and other indoor and outdoor functions. Arizona Heritage Center features regular presentations on topics and events impacting Arizona. arizonahistoricalsociety.org/museums/tempe/
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Fall Arts & Culture Directory
ARIZONA OPERA Arizona Opera ‘s 2017/18 Season brings a Technicolor special event in October with Hercules vs Vampires, the intrigues and double-crossings of Tosca in November, a celebration of Leonard Bernstein with Candide, in January, the comedic The Barber of Seville and a momentous production of Nordic gods, dwarves and giants in Das Rheingold concludes the season. Arrive early to sip a cocktail and show off your best cocktail attire, then enjoy a spectacular night at the Opera. All performances are held in Symphony Hall with ticket packages available at www.azopera.org azopera.org
ARIZONA SCIENCE CENTER Don’t miss the blockbuster POMPEII: THE EXHBITION, coming to Arizona Science Center in November. Forgotten for centuries after the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius, and then rediscovered 250 years ago, Pompeii is truly awe-inspiring. POMPEII: THE EXHIBITION features nearly 200 artifacts, including frescoes, mosaics and precious items belonging to the residents of Pompeii. The mission of Arizona Science Center is to inspire, educate and engage curious minds through science. The Center features more than 300 hands-on exhibits, live demonstrations, the state-of-the-art Dorrance Planetarium and the five-story Irene P. Flinn Giant Screen Theater and the new CREATE makerspace. azscience.org
ASU GAMMAGE ASU Gammage has announced its historic 2017-2018 Desert Schools Federal Credit Union Broadway Across America – Arizona season. The season is anchored by HAMILTON and is packed with award-winning musicals, classics and the newest hits from Broadway. The season features the last two Tony Award® winners for Best Musical, HAMILTON and FUN HOME, as well as Best Revival winners THE COLOR PURPLE and THE KING AND I. The season also includes 2016’s Tony Award®-winning Best Play THE HUMANS along with other favorite musicals THE BODYGUARD, the hilariousSOMETHING ROTTEN!, and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s SCHOOL OF ROCK. asugammage.com
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Fall Arts & Culture Directory
A relentless advocate for more public and private funding for arts and culture in Arizona... An enthusiastic promoter of arts education in our schools... A reliable source of information on arts and culture issues for advocates, media, elected officials and voters... For more than 35 years, Arizona Citizens for the Arts has been the public voice of non-profit arts and culture. Our goal – a vibrant well-funded arts and culture sector that gets rightful credit for the contributions it makes to shaping the future for our young people and the vitality of our local communities. Along with more than 100 arts and culture organizations statewide and 5,000 citizen advocates, we do together what organizations alone cannot – change perceptions and change policy for the benefit of arts and culture in Arizona.
AZCitizensForTheArts.org
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Fall Arts & Culture Directory
BALLET ARIZONA Ballet Arizona is the official Ballet Company of the State of Arizona whose mission is to create, perform, and teach outstanding classical and contemporary ballet. The company is dedicated to preserving and celebrating classical dance while creating and commissioning new innovative works. The 2017-18 season features a mix of classical ballets against contemporary dances. The season opens with Swan Lake, followed by the festive The Nutcracker, with Cinderella rounding out our classical season. Our spring season features contemporary ballets in Today’s Masters and All Balanchine, while a brand new ballet will be featured at An Evening at Desert Botanical Garden. balletaz.org
BLACK THEATRE TROUPE Black Theatre Troupe’s acclaimed 2017/18 Season includes Caroline or Change, bringing Motown and Gospel set against backdrop of Civil Rights movement, August Wilson’s epic Seven Guitars, Black Nativity, a legendary holiday event based on Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes, a powerful look at school segregation with Lines in the Dust, and concluding with Blackberry Daze, a musical adaptation of Ruth P. Watson’s romantic mystery thriller. blacktheatretroupe.org
THE BRIDGE INITIATIVE: WOMEN IN THEATRE The Bridge Initiative: Women in Theatre incubates and celebrates professional female theatre artists, promoting gender parity across all theatrical disciplines. Upcoming programming: THE BECHDEL TEST FEST at the Tempe Center of the Arts, September 9th and 10th. Two days of play readings and film screenings that satisfy the Bechdel Test: two female characters talk to each other about something other than a man. Events include an audition workshop, a panel discussion, talkbacks, children’s workshops, and lobby mixer. HEARING HER VOICE: NEW WORK BY WOMEN, a monthly play reading series hosted at the ASU Kerr Cultural Center, free to public. bridgeinit.com
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Fall Arts & Culture Directory
CENTER DANCE ENSEMBLE As the resident dance company at the Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix, Center Dance Ensemble performs mesmerizing original works of classic modern dance. Sharpened and honed by the steady hand of Artistic Director Fran Cohen, each performance tells stories through movement, bringing unique choreography rooted in the ground-breaking philosophy of the great Martha Graham. 2017/18 Season opens in October with a celebration for Halloween, Ghosts & Goblins & Witches, Oh My!, followed in December’s holiday classic, the icy and wicked Snow Queen. Center Dance will then bring two distinct pieces to the stage in March, the classic fairy-tale with a modern beat, Cinderella Rock! and a fascinating interpretation of Shakespeare’s Othello paired with pieces choreographed for his famous sonnets. The season concludes with American Voices, where choreography and spoken word converge in a celebration for National Poetry Month.
centerdance.com
CHANDLER CENTER FOR THE ARTS The mission of the Chandler Center for the Arts is to make visual and performing arts available to the entire Chandler population; to become a creative force and an educational resource for the community; and to harness the economic vitality of the arts. As one of the leading performance venues in the Valley, Chandler Center for the Arts presents music, theatre and dance. See our entire season lineup and information on how to support the Chandler Cultural Foundation at chandlercenter.org. chandlercenter.org
CHANDLER MUSEUM The Chandler Museum is an innovative environment where the community comes together to share our stories, store our cultural heritage and experience Chandler as a people and place. The vision of the Museum is to be the community’s principal resource to explore its people’s history, culture, and their place in a rapidly changing world of today – within and without the walls of a building. More about our programs, exhibits and the building, set to open in late 2018, at chandlermuseum.org. chandlermuseum.org
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Fall Arts & Culture Directory
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF PHOENIX The Children’s Museum of Phoenix delivers rich-learning opportunities to children in our community in a way that they learn best -- through play. The Museum offers over 300 hands-on, open-ended, imaginative play experiences in a no-fail environment. Suited for children as small as infants up to 10 years old, the Children’s Museum of Phoenix offers programs and exhibits for multiple age groups. When here, children climb, build, pedal, slide, create, paint and so much more! Baby Zones are included in each exhibit space plus there’s a whole room devoted just for those three and younger. Come Play and Learn Today! childrensmuseumofphoenix.org
CHILDSPLAY Childsplay is a nationally and internationally respected professional theatre company whose chosen audience is children. We believe that young people deserve to experience challenging, thought-provoking theatre of the highest artistic quality. Founded in 1977, Childsplay’s mission is “to create theatre so strikingly original in form, content or both, that it instills in young people an enduring awe, love and respect for the medium, thus preserving imagination and wonder, those hallmarks of childhood that are the keys to the future.” In our 40 year history, we have educated and inspired more than 5 million Arizona residents, and have grown to serve an average annual audience of 250,000 children and families. childsplayaz.org
CITY OF LITCHFIELD PARK The City of Litchfield Park organizes live concerts, large-scale festivals, art exhibitions, and distinct cultural celebrations. We anchor our annual offerings with Oktoberfest in late September, family-friendly holiday events in December, a Native American fine art festival in January, and our Spring Art & Wine Festival in March. Litchfield Park also hosts exceptional musical entertainment, informative lectures, and one-of-a-kind events that showcase the vitality of our city. We proudly partner with the luxurious Wigwam Resort as well as local arts and educational nonprofits. Together we offer events in Litchfield Park that promote a strong sense of community and attract diverse visitors from across the nation. With all of the exciting arts and cultural activities happening year round in the City of Litchfield Park, art enthusiasts and families can experience a variety of event choices. We encourage you to “Discover The Park” and all it has to offer.
litchfield-park.org
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Fall Arts & Culture Directory
CONDER/DANCE Conder/dance, one of the Valley’s leading companies in contemporary dance brings its acclaimed festival, Breaking Ground, to the Tempe Center for the Arts, January 19 & 20, 2018. Breaking Ground draws some of the most important voices in contemporary dance from around the globe, with noted choreographers, movement artists and dance film-makers showcasing their work. The two-day festival features ten tiny dances, with dancers performing short 5 minute pieces on small stages located around the Tempe Center for the Arts. conderdance.com
DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN From sunrise to sunset, Desert Botanical Garden has you covered with many offerings this fall. Desert Botanical Garden is the largest botanical garden in the Southwest featuring 55,000 plants from around the world. The Garden allows visitors to experience the beauty of the like never before. For 78 years, The Garden’s commitment to the community is to advance excellence in education, research, exhibition and conservation of desert plants of the world with emphasis on the Southwestern United States. Fall events include Art in the Garden exhibits, the return of the Monarch butterflies, two Fall Festivals, and Music in the Garden events. For more information about each event, tickets prices and more, visit dbg.org dbg.org
DESERT FOOTHILLS THEATER Desert Foothills Theater is an award-winning theater that has been presenting work in the far north valley since 1975. Theater changes lives and we invite all community members to be part of that life-changing experience by providing performance, volunteer, education and attendance opportunities for everyone! We invite participation through open auditions for all adult and youth shows; through a variety of educational opportunities including classes, camps, post-performance talkbacks, pre-performance “meet ups”; and by providing volunteer opportunities in all areas and aspect of theater production. We invite everyone to join us in experiencing the life-changing world of theater. dftheater.org
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Fall Arts & Culture Directory
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Fall Arts & Culture Directory
DESERT SOUNDS PERFORMING ARTS A Sense of belonging (Jeremy Project), an opportunity to learn (musical mentors) and an occasion to share is what Desert Sounds Performing Arts gives underserved children. The Jeremy Project refurbishes donates/used instruments and lends them to children who otherwise would not be able to participate in their school based band/orchestra programs. Our Musical Mentors teach children music and help them develop the skills for success in life. Mariachi Sones del Desierto, a multi-tiered program, teaches a diverse group of children in grades k-12 traditional mariachi music. Our programing is passing on to the next generation a love for the arts. desertsounds.org
DESERT STAGES THEATRE A bustling community playhouse, Desert Stages Theatre in Scottsdale, Ariz., will celebrate its 23rd year in 2017. DST is a nonprofit 501 (c) 3, founded in 1995, and delivers performances year-round. Four show schedules occur throughout the year: Actor’s Café performances in the intimate 68-seat theatre; Mainstage Series in Cullity Hall, a 200-seat theatre; On Stage Children’s Series for ages 3-19, andNext Stage Series for 12-19, both also performed in Cullity Hall. DST also operates a theatrical academy (Center Stage, and many other classes) and offers a variety of music, dance and classes open to the community. desertstages.org
FREE ARTS Founded in 1993, Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona is a non-profit organization which heals homeless and abused children through artistic expression. Free Arts programs include creative elements that promote safety, self-expression and a sense of belonging. All Free Arts programs, delivered by volunteers and artists, serve more than 8,000 children annually through partnerships with 45 social service child welfare agencies at 100+ sites across Maricopa County. freeartsaz.org
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Fall Arts & Culture Directory
HALE CENTRE THEATRE Arizona’s Premier Family Theatre in Gilbert since 2003. Hale Centre Theatre is a 350 seat theater-in-the-round that puts on exquisite family-friendly productions throughout the year. Hale is dedicated to providing patrons with the finest theatrical experience possible in an atmosphere as intimate and friendly as their own homes. In doing so, we have always selected shows which reflect our promise to provide fun and affordable entertainment. Come see how incredibly talented local actors bring the plays and musicals to life, making every production here a memorable experience! HaleTheatreArizona.com
HEARD MUSEUM Since its founding in 1929, the Heard Museum, a private non-profit organization, has grown in size and stature to become recognized internationally for the quality of its collections, world-class exhibitions, educational programming and its unmatched festivals. With an education center, an award-winning Shop, the Books & More bookstore, Coffee Cantina and Courtyard Café, the Heard Museum is a place of learning and unforgettable experiences. Dedicated to the advancement of American Indian art, the Heard presents the stories of American Indian people from a first-person perspective, as well as exhibitions that showcase the beauty and vitality of traditional and contemporary art. heardmuseum.com
HEATHER J. KIRK Longtime Artist and Graphic Designer “PhotoGraphic Artistry by Heather J. Kirk” includes her photography on clothing and accessories. Using art and fashion for a cause, she proudly supports World Vision and Eternally Cherished programs that prevent and intervene in sex and human trafficking around the world. In the fashion industry, she seeks to support the human rights of garment workers and encourage ethical purchasing by consumers and clothing designers all along the supply chain. Her learning process resulted in a TEDx Fountain Hills presentation and a “Not On Their Backs” campaign. Find links to her art and fashion at www.HeatherJKirk.com HeatherJKirk.com
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Fall Arts & Culture Directory
Performances Live Music Food Court Children’s Activities Visual Art Pet Adoptions Craft Beer & Wine Tasting and More!
Saturday, November 4, 2017 11:30AM - 5:00PM
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Fall Arts & Culture Directory
HERBERGER THEATER The Herberger Theater is a 501(c)(3) Arizona non-profit organization which supports and fosters growth of the arts in Phoenix as the premier performance venue, arts incubator and advocate. Proceeds from annual fundraising benefits its Youth Outreach Programs, designed to give Arizona children (ages 3-19) opportunities to excel, learn and heal through experience with the arts. Over the last 28 years, four million patrons have enjoyed more than 15,000 performances at the Herberger Theater. For information, call 602.254-7399 or visit HerbergerTheater.org. herbergertheater.org
KIDS IN FOCUS When kids experience trauma, they disconnect from the world and from themselves. A camera in their hands, with the right guidance and encouragement, can switch the light in their eyes back on, giving them a new lens on life. Kids in Focus is a 501(c)(3) that gives at-risk kids the chance to see themselves and their world in a new, more positive light. Through intensive and ongoing mentoring programs, Kids in Focus inspires hope in children ages 10-13 who come from backgrounds of poverty, homelessness, neglect and abuse. The kids receive much more than a camera. Mentored by professional photographers, together they take a journey of discovery culminating in public photography exhibits, a hardbound book, and a new self-confidence for the future. kidsinfocus.org
MESA ARTS CENTER Mesa Arts Center, owned and operated by the City of Mesa, is the largest comprehensive arts campus in the southwestern United States. The unique and architecturally stunning facility anchors the arts and cultural district in Mesa, and is home to four theaters, five art galleries, 14 art studios and an artist cooperative gallery. Visit MesaArtsCenter.com to discover live performances, free community events, the Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum, a robust engagement program, and nearly 1000 performing and visual arts classes offered annually. mesaartscenter.com
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Fall Arts & Culture Directory
MUSEUM OF NORTHERN ARIZONA Founded in 1928, the Museum of Northern Arizona inspires a sense of love and responsibility for the beauty and diversity of the Colorado Plateau. View exhibits relating to the museum’s four main disciplines: anthropology, biology, geology and fine art; attend annual Zuni, Hopi, Navajo and Latino Festivals of Arts & Culture that attract thousands of visitors from around the world; discover the Colorado Plateau on week-long outdoor adventures with museum researchers; take a Navajo weaving or Hopi pottery class; or purchase authentic Native American art and jewelry from the award-winning Museum Shop. Don’t miss the museum’s newest permanent exhibition, Tribal Peoples of the Colorado Plateau, opening in 2018. To learn more, call 928.774.5213 or visit musnaz.org.
musnaz.org
MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEM Rated Phoenix’s #1 attraction by TripAdvisor, MIM displays more than 6,500 musical instruments and objects and provides a one-of-a-kind experience for visitors of all ages. MIM’s five Geographic Galleries showcase music and cultures from every country in the world through multimedia that allows you to hear, see, and feel the creative spirit of people as they play their instruments. Visitors can also get a close-up look at instruments played by influential artists, such as Elvis Presley®, Johnny Cash, Taylor Swift, and Maroon 5 in MIM’s Artist Gallery and have fun making some music of their own in the Experience Gallery. mim.org
MUSICANOVA ORCHESTRA Known for performing unique and rare pieces from the classical repertoire, MusicaNova Orchestra is comprised of the best musicians from the Valley. Led by Music Director Warren Cohen, the 2017/18 Season opens with Mid-Century Masters, with cinematic pieces from Twentieth Century English composers, evoking images of 40s, 50s and 60s spy films, the morning, mid-day and evening symphonies of Haydn in A Day with Papa Haydn; Johannes Sebastian Bach’s controversial and highly unusual Eastertide Oratorio, St. John Passion and Ports of Call, featuring orchestral compositions inspired by music from exotic locales around the world, from Bali and the Mediterranean to tribes of the New World. musicanovaaz.com
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Fall Arts & Culture Directory
THE NASH The Nash located in the heart of Roosevelt Row in downtown Phoenix has been named one of the top jazz clubs in the United States. Named for Phoenix native and world-renowned jazz drummer, Lewis Nash, the venue showcases top local and national jazz artists each weekend. From Latin, mainstream, Big Band, fusion and alternative to Be-bop, The Nash brings the best of jazz to this intimate venue. Craft beer and wines available for purchase to enjoy while you relax and enjoy the best jazz in Phoenix. thenash.org
PHOENIX CENTER FOR THE ARTS Phoenix Center for the Arts, also known as “The Center,” is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, providing the community with opportunities to participate in the visual and performing arts through quality programming, events, and education for youth and adults. In addition to offering more than 600 unique art classes throughout the year in two locations, The Center also boasts several amazing resident arts organizations including Phoenix Children’s Chorus, Radio Phoenix, Cultural Coalition, Rising Youth Theatre, SOUNDS Academy, Emancipation Arts, Aliento, Essential Theatre, Teatro Bravo, and Restore Arts. Join us December 8-10 for Phoenix Festival of the Arts! phoenixcenterforthearts.org
PHOENIX CHORALE Phoenix Chorale has become one of the most well respected choral groups in the United States, with multiple Grammy nominations and two Grammy wins including 2015 Best Chorale Performance. Led by Artistic Director Charles Bruffy, the Phoenix Chorale will present a thrilling season of vocal fireworks for 2017/18, including Bruffy’s Best, a selection of Charles Bruffy’s most beloved pieces, the holiday tradition of A Chorale Christmas, music inspired by the ethereal phenomenon of light, Lux, and Spring Songs, featuring the magical song cycle, Five Centuries of Spring. phoenixchorale.org
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Fall Arts & Culture Directory
PHOENIX THEATRE Phoenix Theatre creates exceptional theatrical experiences by using the arts to inspire hope and understanding. We believe the arts are essential because they foster the hero within, create a greater understanding of cultural and political differences and, in an era of simulated virtual gatherings, continue to provide a forum in which the community can gather – live and in person. Phoenix Theatre values theatre as a place where people can be accepted regardless of race, creed, orientation or color. By inspiring empathy and the ability to see things from another’s point of view, we encourage qualities that lead to visionary leadership and build communities in which we are proud to work and live. Join us for our 2017/2018 season! phoenixtheatre.com
PHOENIX YOUTH SYMPHONY Celebrating our 65th season, the Phoenix Youth Symphony (PYS) trains and equips young musicians for success. For the past 64 years, PYS has trained over 15,000 student musicians, awarded over $1 million in student music festival scholarships and performed at over 500 events. With five orchestral ensembles, annually serving our 250+ student musicians, from all parts of the Valley, PYS continues carrying out our mission of providing high quality musical training, equipping young musicians for future success, right now! We invite you to join us and see for yourself at one of our 2017/18 Season concerts. phoenixyouthsymhpony.org
PHOENIX ZOO The Arizona Center for Nature Conservation, through its flagship organization, the Phoenix Zoo, has been a point of pride for Arizona for over 50 years. The organization strives to advance the stewardship and conservation of animals and their habitats while providing experiences that inspire people and motivate them to care for the natural world. The Phoenix Zoo is one of the largest nonprofit zoos in the United States, caring for more than 3,000 animals, with nearly 400 species represented, including many threatened or endangered species. phoenixzoo.org
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Fall Arts & Culture Directory
Visit Shop Discover Celebrating the Colorado Plateau FALL 2017
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Fall Arts & Culture Directory
PRELUDE Holiday Prelude 32nd annual event will be held Friday, December 8, 2017 at the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn and features an expanded boutique shopping space, designer runway show, luncheon and prize drawing. Proceeds benefit two of the Valley’s premier non-profit organizations, Phoenix Youth Symphony and Phoenix Theatre Guild, funding programs bringing the Arts and Musical opportunities to children and the community. As a friend of the Arts, we invite you to partner with us to support development and enrichment of performing and visual arts in the Valley for youths and adults. Dana Dean 480-342-9124
ROSIE’S HOUSE A Music Academy for Children is committed to playing a pivotal role in a child’s future and strengthening our local community. At Rosie’s House, a free afterschool program for children facing economic adversity in Phoenix, we bridge achievement in life through achievement in music. Serving 450 youth annually, Rosie’s House provides training in strings, piano, winds, mariachi and choir. Serving our community for over twenty-years, Rosie’s House is certified for the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit. Get involved today, and make a difference tomorrow. rosieshouse.org
SCOTTSDALE ARTISTS’ SCHOOL Scottsdale Artists’ School, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is dedicated to the artistic enrichment of the community and to developing the capabilities of artists and aspiring artists of all ages by teaching the applied fundamentals of fine art. SAS founded in 1983, is located in the historic Loloma school building, in the heart of the Scottsdale Arts’ District. AS a multifaceted visual arts organization; we feature over 200 diverse art programs along with an innovative youth academy, arts-outreach programming, community availability, and scholarship offerings. We believe in the importance of the arts on society and continuing the tradition of fine art education. scottsdaleartschool.org
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Fall Arts & Culture Directory
SCOTTSDALE ARTS Through its partnership with the City of Scottsdale, the nonprofit Scottsdale Arts creates diverse, inspired arts experiences and educational opportunities that foster active, lifelong community engagement with the arts. Founded in 1987, Scottsdale Arts has grown into a regionally and nationally significant, multidisciplinary arts organization offering an exceptional variety of programs through three acclaimed divisions – Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) and Scottsdale Public Art – serving more than 400,000 participants annually. scottsdalearts.org
SCOTTSDALE GALLERY ASSOCIATION A visit to the Scottsdale Arts District is one of the best fine art experiences anyone can have. For over 40 years, galleries have exhibited a diverse selection of paintings, sculpture and jewelry by world class artists. Along with the City of Scottsdale, the Scottsdale Gallery Association is proud to sponsor another year of the famed Thursday Night ArtWalk including 9 special Gold Palette ArtWalks beginning with DEMONSTRATE! on November 16 where galleries will host live demonstrations by artists. Please check www.scottsdalegalleries.com for the seasons schedule. All are invited! scottsdalegalleries.com
SHEMER ART CENTER Located in the very first home built in Arcadia, the Shemer Art Center provides a unique setting in which residents and visitors can learn about and enjoy visual art through daily classes, weekend workshops, monthly lectures, exhibitions and events. After-school art classes and summer camp programs for children are also offered, and an on-site gift shop and outdoor sculpture garden offer one-of-a-kind works of art for sale, all of which foster the Shemer Art Center’s mission to support and showcase Arizona artists. shemerartcenter.org
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Fall Arts & Culture Directory
JOIN US FOR OUR 2017/2018 SEASON!
SEPTEMBER 6 - OCTOBER 15 A MEGA-HIT BASED ON THE SONGS OF ABBA
JERRY LEE
ELVIS JOHNNY
SEPTEMBER 20 - OCTOBER 15
NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 31
CARL
FOUR ROCK LEGENDS. ONE AMAZING NIGHT.
MARCH 7 - APRIL 8
...and more! TICKETS START AT $29!
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PHOENIXTHEATRE.COM | 602.254.2151 FALL 2017
Fall Arts & Culture Directory
SONORAN DESERT CHORALE Led by Music Director Jeff Harris, the 60 voices of the Sonoran Desert Chorale bring a delightful annual program showcasing the vast styles and themes found in choral music. The SDC’s 2017/18 Season opens with To Everything There Is A Season, evoking both the storms and joys of life. December brings performances of the Desert Voices of Christmas, with traditional carols to celebrate the “hap-happiest season of all,” followed in March with All The Earth, Sing As One as the Chorale is joined by a chamber orchestra to perform an uplifiting, new piece, Jubilate Deo. The season concludes with a powerful concert, Long Road To Freedom, as the Chorale performs songs originated by African people in bondage from slavery to emancipation. sonorandesertchorale.org
THEATER WORKS Theater Works is a non-profit theater that provides the most comprehensive programming of any performing arts organization in the West Valley. Now entering its 32nd season, Theater Works serves students from preschool through college age by producing full seasons of theater (MasterWorks), youth theater (YouthWorks), puppet theater (PuppetWorks), educational camps, workshops, and youth performances troupes (Stardust, Kids Alive!, and YouthWorks Academy). As the managing tenant of the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts, Theater Works also offers a diverse range of programming from nationally-known musicians and comedians, through regionally significant culturally-specific theater and dance troupes, to locally-based community events. theaterworks.org
VALLEY YOUTH THEATRE Valley Youth Theatre (VYT) is in its 29th Season of inspiring young people to be the best they can be! VYT is an award-winning professional youth theatre company. Alum extend from Hollywood to Broadway, into boardrooms across America and many more influential places. Some of these include: Oscar Award-winning actress Emma Stone and award-winning celebrities: Jordin Sparks and Kimiko Glenn, television star Chelsea Kane, Broadway actors Max Crumm, Nick Cartell, Charity Dawson and many others. VYT is a unique place where young people from diverse backgrounds can learn and grow as individuals, performers and creators through a wide variety of performing arts opportunities. Camps and classes taught by professional arts instructors are offered throughout the year. VYT produces six MainStage productions each season, three of which are at the Herberger Theater Center. All youth are always welcome to audition.
VYT.com
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Fall Arts & Culture Directory
VISION GALLERY The Vision Gallery is a fine arts gallery representing more than 300 regional artists and home to one of two Art-O-Mats in Chandler. Visitors can discover a varied palette of original artworks from oil and acrylic canvasses to ceramic works, sculpture, jewelry, and more. Exhibits are rotated on a regular basis and are free for the public to view at this nonprofit gallery supported by the Chandler Cultural Foundation.In 2017, Vision Gallery was named one of the ten best Best Art Galleries in Arizona by Best of Arizona. visiongallery.org
WESTERN SPIRIT: SCOTTSDALE’S MUSEUM OF THE WEST Learn the stories of the West through engaging exhibits of Western art, Old West artifacts and historic Native American objects in a stunning, contemporary setting that meets the highest standards for sustainability and conservation of natural resources. The museum became a Smithsonian Affiliate in 2015, and was named “Best Western Museum” in the nation (2017, 2016) by True West magazine’s editors. This TripAdvisor highly rated attraction is owned by the City of Scottsdale. Scottsdale Museum of the West, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that relies upon private support to fund the museum’s operation, is the managing operator. Located in downtown Scottsdale. scottsdalemuseumwest.org
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FALL 2017
Fall Arts & Culture Directory
2017-18 season
sep 8 - 24
oct 13 - 29
oct 27 - nov 12
dec 8 - 24
feb 16 - mar 4
mar 30 - apr 15
season subscriptions, flex passes and single tickets FALL 2017 noW on sale
tickets and information at 623.815.7930 or theaterWorks.org FRONTDOORSMEDIA.COM | 25
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Most Anticipated Exhibits Jamie Killin | CONTRIBUTING WRITER
A TRIBUTE TO JAMES GALANOS Phoenix Art Museum | August 19 - January 7
This exhibit, which pays homage to the late American designer James Galanos, will feature gowns created by his high-profile clients, such as Sybil Harrington, Kitty Carlyle Hart, Nancy Reagan, Ann Bonefory Taylor and Marie Vanderbilt Whitney. The exhibition’s pieces span five decades of his designs, as well as never before seen photographs from Galanos’ personal archives.
________________________________ ALEXANDER CALDER: AN OUTBURST OF COLOR Phoenix Art Museum | September 9 - April 1
This exhibit features the spontaneous and lively lithographs created by 20th century American artist Alexander Calder. Though known as the sculptor who created the mobile, his lithographs prove to carry the same feeling of creativity and movement.
________________________________ MARKING THE INFINITE: CONTEMPORARY WOMEN ARTISTS FROM ABORIGINAL AUSTRALIA Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art September 23 - January 21
are revered matriarchs and celebrated artists in their communities. The exhibit tells the story of the sisterhood between the artists, addresses personal issues and contemporary themes and reflects on ancient cultural traditions.
________________________________ SHELLA PEPE: HOT MESS FORMALISM Phoenix Art Museum | October 14 - January 28
This exhibit will be the first mid-career survey on the work of sculptor, Sheila Pepe. Pepe has created large-scale installations and sculptures made from domestic and industrial fibrous materials for over 20 years, often incorporating feminist themes into her work.
________________________________ REPOSITIONING PAOLO SOLERI: THE CITY IS NATURE Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art October 14 - January 28
Paolo Soleri is an Italian architect best known for his work as the creator of Arosanti. This 4,500-square-foot exhibit will be the first and only retrospective exhibition of Soleri’s work since his death in in 2013. This exhibition will also be SMoCA’s third and final exhibition exploring the Soleri’s art, architecture and philosophy.
This exhibit features the art of nine Australian women born between the 1920s and 1970s who
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Shella Pepe: Hot Mess Formalism Photo Credit: Phoenix Art Museum
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NEALE PERL, SCOTTSDALE ARTS CEO Neal Perl
Neale Perl is president and CEO of Scottsdale Arts, which manages three of the city’s cultural assets: Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and Scottsdale Public Art. He took over as CEO exactly three years ago this month. Perl has more than 25 years of experience in arts administration and presentation. He’s also an accomplished musician, having earned his bachelor of music in cello performance from The Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University and his Master of Music from Temple University. Frontdoors caught up with him recently to ask how things are going in the Scottsdale arts world. FRONTDOORS: You’ve been the CEO for Scottsdale Arts for three years now. How are you liking the Valley so far, what has surprised you in this role and what has surprised you about the arts scene in the Valley?
community. We have Broadway, jazz, classical, dance, world music, film, and amazing festivals. With some 1,000 events a year in Scottsdale and Phoenix, we attract over 400,000 people. It is almost impossible for one person to know everything we do. So it’s a very exciting and demanding job and I love every minute of it. What surprised me about the Valley is the richness of the arts scene in Scottsdale and the Valley. Everything you could want is here – and it is close by. On our Scottsdale Campus we have the best of the performing and visual arts – and then there is the Museum of the West around the corner from us, the art galleries around the corner, the Artist School as well, Phoenix Art Museum, the Heard, Mesa, the MIM, Taliesin, the theatre companies, I’m probably only scratching the surface here — the list is almost endless of things to do in the arts.
PERL: My wife and I love living here. We have some family members who used to live here in Phoenix before we were married and I remember visiting them and saying, ‘Oh, this would be a nice place to move to someday.’ So it worked out.
FRONTDOORS: SMoCA and the Performing Arts Center have some exciting shows and exhibits coming up this fall. What are you looking forward to in particular? What has the process been like in terms of curating acts and exhibits — does it get easier due to a boost in reputation for both institutions?
I guess if I had name one thing that has surprised me about my role, it is the incredible variety of what Scottsdale Arts has to offer the
PERL: Of course, as our reputation for excellence continues to grow, it makes bringing big name artists and musicians easier.
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Stuart A. Weiner, [Soleri sketching at his desk, Cosanti], ca. 1960. Gelatin-silver print, 10 x 8 inches. Collection of the Cosanti Foundation. © The Weiner Estate
In addition, my staff is very well connected in the art and music world, so we leverage those friendships to benefit the community. That is how we got Yo-Yo Ma here. I am looking forward to everything. If I had to choose, I love our new Broadway Series with Seth Rudetsky at the Center (Megan Hilty, Kelli O’Hara) — so I’m really looking forward to that. We’re doing Parsons Dance Company, so that’s a big event for us. We’re doing the Moscow State Symphony — and to do a 100-member orchestra in a hall that’s less than a thousand seats is really an exciting opportunity to see a huge international orchestra up close and personal. Then we’re also launching another new series at the Center, with Rob Kapilow and it’s all about the American Songbook. And at SMoCA we have the new new Soleri Exhibition — it has been in the making for years — and, as you know, our Public Art division was responsible for building the Soleri Bridge. The only one of its kind in the world! I heard that he designed hundreds of bridges and this was the only one to be built. In Public Art, I look forward to inviting friends from around the country to see Canal Convergence at the Waterfront in Scottsdale. They’re amazed by the beauty of the event
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Paolo Soleri, [Untitled fabric design], 1950. Tempera, collage and black ink on paper, 11 ¼ x 17 inches. Collection of the Cosanti Foundation. © Cosanti Foundation
— a festival of light, art and water — and they love coming to Scottsdale. Everyone’s heard of Scottsdale but some people haven’t made it here yet. They’ve been to Santa Fe, Grand Canyon but they just haven’t been here. But with a personal invitation from a friend they come here and stay at one of the beautiful resorts, and they go, ‘Wow, we’re going to come back!’ I go to almost all the events and sometimes it’s just a personal discovery. We had (blues musician) Taj Mahal. I went and it was such a rocking show. On a personal level, it’s rewarding to see the work that my colleagues do, bringing these artists here. Is our growing reputation helping? Absolutely. FRONTDOORS: What are some of your favorite arts destinations in the Valley? PERL: Obviously, in high season, I am out 4-5 nights a week just attending our own events — which doesn’t allow for a lot of free time. Still, I enjoy attending the Symphony, the Ballet, the Opera, the theatre companies, Phoenix Art Museum and the MIM. Whether its taking visitors or going with my wife, there’s just so much here.
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Top Art Classes to Take This Fall Jamie Killin | CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Art classes aren’t just for kids — they’re just as enriching and fun for adults. While many people enjoy all the great art in our city, you might be apprehensive about creating your own. That’s why we put together this list of unique classes for aspiring artists of all ages to get you started in what might be your next favorite hobby.
Shemer Art Center TRAVEL SKETCHING with John Erwin August 4 - August 25 | Fridays 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Prepare for your holiday travels with this all-level class that will teach you how to quickly sketch and watercolor in a travel journal while traveling to create your own beautiful memories.
________________________________ EXPERIMENTAL WATER MEDIA with Sue Hunter
Thunderbird Arts Center MIRROR, MIRROR with David Jarvinen September 7 - September 14 Thursdays 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
In this unique class, artists of all abilities, will create an 8x12 mosaic mirror complete with grouting.
________________________________ MASTER ESSENTIAL DIGITAL CAMERA with Lloyd Lande September 11 - October 2 | Mondays 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Ever wonder why your digital camera photos aren’t as good as the pros? This introductory class might be the answer. You’ll learn the basic workings of your camera including exposure and composition.
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September 12 - October 24
ABSTRACT MARK MONOTYPE with Wendy Willis
Tuesdays 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
October 10 - October 24 | Tuesday 6:00 - 8:45 p.m.
Try something new by combining medias such as tar gel, molding past and alcohol inks with more traditional watercolor and fluid acrylics to add variety and texture to your paintings.
________________________________
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Learning a new skill can be stressful — but in this abstract monotype class you can rejoice in knowing you can’t make a mistake. Throughout the three-week course you’ll create multiple 4 x 4 inch monotypes that will be more than worthy of a prominent place in your home. ________________________________ AUGUST 2017
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Mesa Arts Center: Fabrication
Mesa Arts Center: Stained Glass
Mesa Arts Center: Flameworking
________________________________ HOLIDAY CARD WORKSHOP with Wendy Willis Thunderbird Arts Center November 9 - November 16 | Thursday 6:00 - 8:45 p.m.
What better way to get into the holiday spirit than a custom holiday card workshop? In this class, you’ll have the opportunity to create a custom design that will be printed on 10 blank cards. Your family and friends will love the custom touch!
FLAMEWORKING: BOROSILICATE: BEGINNING by Laurie Nessel August 29 - October 10 | Tuesdays 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
While it may sound a bit dangerous, this flameworking class is very safe, even for those as young as 13. Learn basic techniques like cutting and bridging and by the end of the seven-week class you’ll be creating small sculptures and hollow pendants.
________________________________ Mesa Arts Center
STAINED GLASS by Troy Moody
BEGINNING ART JEWELRY: FABRICATION BASICS by Victoria Altpeter
October 24 - December 5 | Tuesday 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
August 28 - December 11 | Mondays 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
In this beginner class, you’ll gain the creative freedom of learning how to make your own jewelry — including earrings, rings, pendants and brooches. AUGUST 2017
Learn one of the world’s most traditional and celebrated art practices — stained glass. The curriculum includes leading techniques, design principles and glass paints and stains. Participants will also learn how to make custom decals. FRONTDOORSMEDIA.COM | 31
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Art in the Southwest’s Most Renowned Garden DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN Jamie Killin | CONTRIBUTING WRITER
While many might not immediately connect arts and a garden — the Desert Botanical Garden has become a driving force in Phoenix’s culture scene with their wide variety of arts events and activities. The garden is a treasure in itself, with an array of 55,000 plants from around the world, making it the largest botanical garden in the Southwest. This fall will be no exception when it comes to the garden’s community building initiatives, with a strong lineup of concerts, art events and festivals. The Art in the Garden series will kick off on September 22 with Phoenix-based designer and sculptor, Larry Kornegay who creates sculpture, graphic artistry, sign painting and fine art painting, and will run through January 7 and will feature more than 20 pieces. Internationally renowned ceramic artist, Jun Kaneko, will display his bold, colorful and monumental pieces begin October 13. The display will include 20 large-scale ceramic and bronze sculptures through May of next year.
natural space. Concerts will take place in October and November. Other activities will include the family friendly annual event The Return of the Butterflies, on September 30 and a Dia de los Muertos festival November 4 and 5, the Chiles & Chocolate Festival on November 11 and 12 and the Dog’s Day in the Garden event on November 18. On November 19, plant-lovers can also take advantage of the fall plant sale, which will feature of 30,000 varieties to choose from. The garden will also host plenty of holiday events with 8,000 of the beloved Las Noches de las Luminares.
The fall will also include the venue’s highly anticipated Music in the Garden series, which will showcase some of the state’s best musicians outdoors in the garden’s beautiful
Photo credit: Adam Rodriguex
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Top Left: Art in the Garden series with Larry Kornagay Photo Credit: Bill Timmerman Bottom Left: Jun Kaneko Sculpture Exhibit Photo Credit: Takashi Hatakeyama Top Right: Desert Botanical Gardens Bottom Right: Día De Los Muertos festival Photo credit: Desert Botanical Gardens
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Five Fab Fall Tunes The world would be a dull place without music, and luckily in the Valley we have access to a lot of great tunes — from sold out tours at Jobing.com arena to captivating, classic compositions at Symphony Hall or musical numbers at ASU Gammage. Here are our top five tunes for this upcoming arts and culture season and where to find them.
“In My Own Little Corner” RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN’S “CINDERELLA” Performed at ASU Gammage, 12/19 - 12/24
This well-known tune comes from the Tony Award-winning production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella,” a Broadway musical that offers viewers a modern rendition of the classic fairytale complete with a full orchestra, beautiful sets and a lot of comedy.
“Prologue” HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE Performed by the Phoenix Symphony, 10/6 -10/8
This mystical number, composed by John Williams — who’s won Grammy Awards, Emmy Awards and everything in between, is musically synonymous with the larger-than-life Harry Potter film franchise. See this song, and the rest of the Academy Award-nominated soundtrack performed live by the Phoenix Symphony.
“Mamma Mia”ABBA Performed in “Mamma Mia! The Musical” by Phoenix Theatre, 9/6 - 10/15
The chart-topping song by ABBA, which inspired the award-winning Broadway musical turned Golden Globe Award-nominated movie is set to be performed in Phoenix this fall as part of Phoenix Theatre’s adaptation of the
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play, “Mamma Mia!” along with other classic ABBA hits such as “Dancing Queen” and “The Winner Takes it All.”
“Big Bright Beautiful World” SHREK THE MUSICAL Performed in “Shrek The Musical” at Valley Youth Theatre - 8/11 - 8/27
If any song performed this fall in Phoenix is going to captivate your entire family this is it — not only is it inspired by the Academy Award-winning family film, “Shrek,” it’s being performed by the children of Valley Youth Theater. Don’t write this off as a typical kids’ production. Valley Youth Theater puts on topnotch performances and boasts alumni like Emma Stone and Jordin Sparks.
“If I Could Turn Back Time” CHER Performed by impersonators at Mesa Arts Center at “An Evening with Cher, Stevie Wonder, Bette Midler & Streisand Starring World Impersonators The Edwards Twins” - 10/18
Experience your favorite artists from the ‘70s and ‘80s, like Cher, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles and many more through the art of impersonation during this variety show in which you’ll hear the hits you love like they were performed by the artists themselves. NBC “Today Show” hosts called it “one of the most extraordinary shows we have ever seen.”
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"Cinderella" Photo Credit: Takashi Hatakeyama AUGUST 2017
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EMBRACING THE PERSONAL AND ECONOMIC
POWER OF THE ARTS Benito Almanza | GUEST COLUMNIST
Few things are more powerful and personal than the arts. Each brush stroke, musical note and body movement creates a journey. My journey didn’t start in a typical way, but it brought me to a profound appreciation of the arts that has led me to a special opportunity to support Arizona’s rich arts scene as a banker. Growing up in a small California farming community, there were no arts. My parents were farm laborers, moving around the Central Valley with the seasonal crops where we worked hard in the fields every day. In college I got my first taste of the arts by hearing things I’d never heard before –a Grateful Dead concert. Some may not think of the Grateful Dead as art. But that incredible night planted something in me, and not just a Grateful Dead
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obsession. I came to appreciate creativity that can appear in any art form. The power of the arts is diverse. It reflects and inspires individual expression. It stimulates conversation and debate, opens us up to new ideas and possibilities. It creates a common thread that engages, connects, educates and enriches us as a society. And, importantly, the arts contribute to the economic vitality of our community. A study, Arts & Economic Prosperity 5, estimates that nonprofit arts and cultural organizations and their audiences spent more than $400 million in Phoenix - nearly $23 million in the West Valley - in 2015, and that the arts and culture industry supported more than 12,800 full-time jobs in Phoenix, generating $19.5 million in local revenue and nearly $25 million to state coffers.
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Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera Exhibit Photo Credit: Heard Museum Design
I am proud that my own employer, Bank of America, gets that the arts matter. The local dance troupe is just as important as the world-class museum in its culture and economic contribution. Core to this is ensuring widespread access to the arts, and the bank takes a thoughtful approach to this locally. Through our Museums on Us program, now in its 20th year, card holders get free access one weekend a month to local galleries like Phoenix Art Museum. The Arts in Our Communities program loans complete or customized exhibits at no cost to nonprofit galleries and museums to help stimulate local economic and cultural activity. The Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum benefitted from a stunning 32-piece minerals collection from the bank that is now part of its permanent collection.
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Preserving notable pieces for future generations is vital, and our Arts Conservation Project helped the Heard Museum restore eight iconic bronze sculptures by American Indian artists. Finally, through direct funding such as the popular Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera exhibit at the Heard Museum, we can help cultural and art institutions do what they do best – offer diverse and often life-changing art that speak to us in a universal language and becomes its own currency.
Benito Almanza is Bank of America market president in Phoenix. He has seen the Grateful Dead 87 times.
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Less Obvious Places to Explore the Arts Jamie Killin | CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Most of us are already familiar with the heavy hitters in Phoenix’s arts scene, like the Phoenix Art Museum, Heard Museum and Phoenix Symphony to name a few. However, the arts and culture scene in Arizona is more expansive than ever, with plenty of smaller organizations you might not even be aware of. This fall is a great time to visit at least one new spot, so we put together a list of our top less obvious places to explore the arts. SHEMER ART CENTER AND MUSEUM The Shemer Center was converted from a historic building in 1984 into an art education center for the residents of Phoenix. In 1992, it was named one of the 21 Points of Pride for the City of Phoenix. Today, the center still provides plenty of art classes features several exhibits each year — ranging from photography to sculpture. MODIFIED ARTS Modified Arts was opened in 1999, and in 2010 it transitioned into a full-time contemporary art gallery with musical performances. It hosts monthly exhibits featuring local, national and international artists of all media, including painting, sculpture, photography and more.
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THE MONORCHID The Monorchid is a dynamic, multi-purpose space in the heart of downtown Phoenix, and while it houses work spaces and a studio, those elements only add to the charm of its art galleries. It first opened in 1999 and was one of the first galleries of its size in the area and was instrumental in the inception of the now incredibly popular First Fridays. ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY ART MUSEUM While it’s unlikely that any Phoenicians aren’t familiar with Arizona State University, many may not know about its robust art museum, which opened nearly 70 hours ago and now spans three locations and hosts 12,000 pieces. Its specialties include contemporary art, post World War II ceramics, southwest art, art of the Americas and historic and contemporary prints. CHANDLER CENTER FOR THE ARTS The Chandler Center for the Arts has a variety of arts activities — from full exhibits to theatre activities for kids and music performances — like concerts by local and national artists.
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Arizona State University Art Museum
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Catch This One Fascinating Exhibit Before it’s Gone CHANDLER MUSEUM
Photo Credit: Chandler Museum
Jamie Killin | CONTRIBUTING WRITER If you can’t wait to see terrific exhibits before the start of fall, the Chandler Museum is hosting “Un-American: Japanese Internment in Our Backyard” until September 2. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, more than 120,000 Japanese Americans were confined to internment camps. Of those, 16,655 women, men and children were relocated to Gila River Internment Camp, only a few miles away from Chandler, simply because they looked like the enemy. Experience the photos and stories of the people who were forced to leave behind almost everything they owned to live in stark conditions in the middle of the desert. “Un-
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American” has attracted people from all over the Valley and Arizona, including former internees. The exhibit, which opened in February, features an installation of 16,655 paper origami cranes (one representing each person incarcerated at the camp) created by people from across the Valley and beyond and a wall with names of each family moved to Gila River Internment Camp with markers indicating former internees or family members who have visited the exhibit.
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5 People to Watch in the Arts Jamie Killin | CONTRIBUTING WRITER
DAVID EMITT ADAMS Photographer Adams is an award-winning Tempe-based photographer and Arizona native who was recently named a 2016 Contemporary Forum artist grant winner by the Phoenix Art Museum. He has also received the Lens Culture International Exposure Award in 2011, the Freestyle Crystal Apple Award for Outstanding Achievement in Black and White Photography in 2012 and the Fish/Pearce Award in 2014. This year, he has had solo exhibitions in Roswell, New Orleans and Phoenix.
JAIME DEMPSEY Executive Director of Arizona Commission on the Arts Dempsey is set to take over as executive director of Arizona Commission on the Arts this month, replacing Robert Booker, who held the position for over a decade. Previously, Dempsey had served as the deputy director since 2006. She has also held the position of program manager for Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing, taught courses in art leadership and nonprofit management at ASU and managed programs for Idaho’s nexStage theatre and the multidisciplinary Sun Valley Center for the Arts. She currently serves on the board of Grantmakers in the Arts and DataArts.
KATHY WILLS
has served on since 2013. She has previously served on its executive committee and chaired the development committee and Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts Advisory Board. Willis is a Scottsdale native and currently serves as a senior vice president and private banker at MidFirst Bank.
THERESA DWYER Board Chair for the Herberger Theater Center Dwyer was recently elected chair of the board for Herberger Theater Center. She was nominated for her first term in 2016, and began serving as vice chair in 2016. She is currently a director with Fennermore Craig, where she has worked since 1994. She has previously served as a board and executive committee member of Florence Crittenton of Arizona and currently volunteers at Perryville State Women’s Prison.
AMY NESBITT Director of Performing Arts for Scottsdale Arts Nesbitt will join Scottsdale Arts this month as the Director of Performing Arts, overseeing the implementation of music, dance, theater, film and family events. Nesbitt previously served as the artistic director of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival in Michigan where she helped expand the festival’s programming to include 175 events, with an attendance of over 80,000.
Board Chair for Scottsdale Arts Board of Trustees Wills was recently appointed the chair of the Scottsdale Arts Board of Trustees, a board she AUGUST 2017
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