Events & Activities

Phoenix Art Museum offers a rich and diverse schedule of monthly activities that enrich and entertain. Scroll below for the latest. Or check out some of the photos from previous events!

All events are included with Museum general admission unless otherwise stated.

Special Events

Walkabout : Celebrating World Culture

January 11, Noon - 4pm

Celebrate the truly staggering range of diversity in world culture through music, food, performance and hands on activities this January at the Museum. Lose yourself in our international collections of art. Listen to opera in the European galleries or Japanese stories in the Asia galleries. Explore your creative side with Asian art inspired brush painting or bring the kids and take part in the world gallery scavenger hunt.

Step outside and satisfy your hunger in Dorrance Sculpture Garden as local ethnic restaurants like Breadfruit, India Palace, Wild Thaiger and Cafe Lalibela offer mouth watering samplings.

Be captivated by the sensual martial art of Brazilian performers from Axe Capoeira. Stomp your feet to the beats of the Arizona Rhythm Connection or bring a blanket and kick back to the laid back sounds of Zona Libre, Mikel Lander & Meredith Moore.

Finally, take a seat and grab a glimpse of our movie, One Giant Leap, a unique and inspiring journey through world music featuring interviews with the likes of Eckhart Tolle, Carlos Santana, Deepak Chopra, Bob Geldof, Susan Sarandon, Stewart Copeland, Billy Connolly and more.

As part of Walkabout, Phoenix Art Museum is proud to partner with Ear Candy Productions, a non profit devoted to creating, developing and sustaining music programs for young people throughout Arizona.

The Museum will be a donation site for Ear Candy's instrument drive. Bring an instrument and get free Museum admission! Find out more about the drive in this recent Arizona Republic story.

Partner Event: Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love

January 22, 23, 2009, 7:30 pm.

In Donizetti’s charming opera love triumphs with the aid of a willing heart and a “magic potion.”

Tickets are on sale now. Call the Arizona Opera Box Office at (602) 266-7464.

**Special ticket prices and advanced sales available to Museum members.

Carnivale!

January 23

Experience the magic of Venice without leaving the Valley, as the Friends of European Art (FEA) hosts its own Carnivale! at Phoenix Art Museum on January 23. Inspired by the revelry enjoyed at historic Venetian celebrations, Carnivale! will combine festive food and drink with exciting music and a silent auction in a setting designed to capture the spirit of 16th Century Venice.

Guests in attendance are encouraged to shed inhibitions and don costumes and masks similar to those worn by Italian masqueraders. Once inside the museum’s Great Hall, they will dance the night away to the upbeat sounds of Snake Eyes, Arizona’s premier party band. They also will have the opportunity to bid on one-of-a-kind artwork, antiques as well as exclusive tickets to cultural and sporting events.

Tickets for the Carnivale! are $150 per person and $75 for Young Collectors (40 and under). All proceeds generated from the event benefit the Friends of European Art’s acquisition and exhibition fund. For more information visit the FEA website or call (602) 852-0217

World Movie Premiere: The Heart Is A Drum Machine

February 6

“The Heart is a Drum Machine,” the hotly anticipated music documentary from the producers of 2006’s “Moog” feature, has wrapped production and features an impressive cast of musicians, music historians, critics and scientists including MTV’s Kurt Loder, Tool’s Maynard James Keenan, KCRW’s Nic Harcourt and actor/musicians Elijah Wood, Jason Schwartzman and Juliette Lewis.

The film, directed Christopher Pomerenke and produced by Ryan Page, Joe Mundo and Hans Fjellestad, explores music’s role in shaping human history the profound connection people have had to music throughout human history and how it has shaped our experiences and its involvement in our daily lives.

The cast includes George Clinton, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ John Frusciante, Kurt Loder of MTV fame, Carl Sagan’s widow Ann Druyan, music supervisor Alexandra Patsavas (Grey’s Anatomy, Mad Men), Tool’s enigmatic frontman Maynard James Keenan, Jimmy Tamborello of the ground-breaking Postal Service, Modest Mouse’s Isaac Brock, music collector/actor/label owner Elijah Wood, Los Lobos, Jason Schwartzman, KCRW’s Nic Harcourt, Spoon’s Britt Daniel, The Silversun Pickups, Juliette Lewis, X’s John Doe, Sleater-Kinney’s Janet Weiss and many others.

“The Heart is a Drum Machine” will premiere at Phoenix Art Museum on Friday, February 6th. Celebrity DJs will be in attendance along with special wine tastings from the vineyards owned by Maynard James Keenan.

BUY TICKETS. Showings at 8pm and 9.30pm. Questions? Call (602) 257-2124.

VinArte Monthly Wine Tasting Series
Every First Friday
6 – 8pm
Arcadia Farms at Phoenix Art Museum

The Museum’s Men’s Arts Council presents the VinArte First Fridays Wine Tasting Series. Held on the first Friday of every month, this education wine series is perfect for novices wanting to learn more about wine as well as for connoisseurs.

The cost is $30 per person and includes gourmet appetizers prepared specifically by Arcadia Farms to be paired with the wine being served. All wine is available for sale at below retail prices and for every bottle of wine you buy you will be entered to win some fabulous prizes - tasting tickets, wine and possibly a wine dinner for 10 at Arcadia Farms Scottsdale.

The VinArte Monthly Wine Tasting Series benefits Phoenix Art Museum and is a part of their First Friday's programming. Please note: Advanced Tickets are required and can only be purchased through the VinArte Web Site.

Contemporary Forum 2009 Art Auction and Dinner
February 21, 5:30pm

This culturally rich evening has been acknowledged for years as the most celebrated art auction in Arizona. The live auction, conducted by leading art auctioneer Christine Sullivan, will showcase premier contemporary works of art including paintings, sculpture and photography by internationally recognized artists. In addition, a silent auction featuring works by emerging artists will be offered, continuing a popular tradition of this exciting event.

A new dimension of this year’s event will be a pre-gala reception hosted by Carolyn Ellis of Arcadia Farms, offering inventive fare, specialty cocktails and wines. The distinguished M Catering by Michael’s will create this year’s dinner, featuring innovative cuisine uniquely presented in contemporary settings.

For more information, call (602) 307-2029 or visit the CF Website.

Southwest Blooms

March 6, 7 and 8

Addicted to Azaleas? Love Lilacs? Find gorgeous gardens irresistible? This spring in the Valley of the Sun, three amazing events converge to create a flower lover’s dream. Explore the latest garden trends and products at the first Southwest Flower & Garden Show, appreciate flowers as an artistic medium at Phoenix Art Museum’s Arts & Flowers 2009 and enjoy the celebrated work of renowned glass sculpture artist Dale Chihuly in the beautiful Desert Botanical Garden.

For three fantastic days, March 6, 7 and 8, 2009, the desert becomes a lush oasis as Southwest Blooms brings together the very best in flower and garden design and creativity.

The Southwest Flower & Garden Show brings the great tradition of world class flower shows, such as the Philadelphia Flower Show and the Northwest Flower and Garden Show, to Arizona and the region. More than 1000 displays and hundreds of spectacular landscapes, gardens, plants, trees, flowers, and yard and garden products will transform the University of Phoenix Stadium into a dreamscape of gardening excellence.

At the fifth annual Arts & Flowers, a Phoenix Art Museum signature event, flowers will imitate art, rather than art imitating flowers. Arts & Flowers 2009 showcases scores of breathtaking floral arrangements by more than 40 Valley floral designers and garden clubs. Displayed throughout several galleries, the arrangements compliment and illuminate works in the Museum’s collection currently on view.

Chihuly: The Nature of Glass features new and exciting works of glass created by renowned artist Dale Chihuly artfully displayed throughout the Desert Botanical Garden. Chihuly is known for his innovative glass sculptures and his work is immediately recognized for its grand scale and vibrant colors. Chihuly’s spectacular creations are found in more than 200 museums worldwide however, this exhibition marks his first show in a garden desert environment.

Arts and Flowers included with general admission.

Combined ticket information (for access to other venues) to be announced shortly.

West of Western Wine & Chocolate Opening Gala
March 12, 6 - 9pm
Bentley Projects

To celebrate the festival's 5th Anniversary, we will serve dessert first at the West of Western Wine & Chocolate Opening Gala. Hosted by Bentley Projects, Phoenix's premier gallery of international contemporary art, the event will feature chocolate confections by half a baker's-dozen of Arizona's finest Pastry Chefs and chocolatiers, paired with special reserve wines poured by sommeliers from West of Western wineries.

We will also introduce our latest exhibition "In Contemporary Rythm: The Art of Ernest L. Blumenschein," opening the Sunday March 15 during West of Western Culinary Festival at Phoenix Art Museum. A variety of musical entertainment and informal food and wine demonstrations will accompany this black tie event. Admission: $80, tickets limited. Call (602) 262-5652 for more information.

Bentley Projects stands at the center of historic downtown Phoenix and offers a remarkable 22,000 square feet of interior gallery space devoted to "art of our time." Originally a linen laundry dating back to 1918, this renovated warehouse features distinct architectural details such as original brickwork and soaring ceilings with exposed wood bow-truss beams. The interlocking gallery rooms display world-class contemporary painting, photography, sculpture and prints by both major international and local artists. Exhibitions change frequently, providing guests a unique experience at each visit.

West of Western

March 14 & 15

“It’s an upscale chef’s dream come true…In only four years, West of Western has become the premier culinary event in Arizona.”- Howard Seftel, Arizona Republic restaurant critic, Mar. 16, 2008

The 2009 West of Western Culinary Festival, presented by Phoenix Art Museum, will celebrate its 5th Anniversary with their largest event yet, March 12-15, 2009. The highlight of the Festival is the Chefs’ invitational two-day food and wine tasting held at Phoenix Art Museum, Saturday March 14 and Sunday, March 15, 2009. Over the weekend 50 of Arizona’s most renowned Executive Chefs, Chefs de Cuisine and Pastry Chefs and their crews chosen from Arizona’s premiere independent restaurants and resorts will perform their culinary skills al fresco at The Grand Tasting held on the grounds of the Museum’s Dorrance Sculpture Garden.

Different restaurants will present each day.

Inside the Museum’s Great Hall over 100 wines and spirits from around the world will be poured and discussed by experts at The Wine Table. Festival Chefs and guest food and wine experts present cooking demos and classes throughout the day, along with interactive art activities for children organized by the Museum. Local foods join local culinary talent at talks presented by Slow Food Phoenix. Live music completes the garden party ambience.

General admission to the Museum is included in the Festival ticket, and the weekend is the opening of our Spring exhibition: “In Contemporary Rhythm: The Art of Ernest L. Blumenschein,” co-founder and the most successful of the Taos School of artists working in the early 20th century.

The West of Western Opening Gala & In Contemporary Rhythm Opening Party will be held Thursday, March 12. For information about West of Western events, and to purchase advance tickets, please visit the website at: westofwestern.com, or call Call (602) 262-5652. Discounted tickets available to Phoenix Art Museum members. Quote your membership number when ordering.

Check back soon for an update on participating chefs and wineries as well as schedule of the day's activities.

Bell Lexus Copperstate 1000
Departure: April 5
Tempe Diablo Stadium
Gates open at 8am, departure starts at 10am
Rally: April 5 – 8

The Bell Lexus Copperstate 1000 is the preeminent vintage car road rally in North America. Created in 1990 by the Men’s Arts Council, the Copperstate 1000 is Phoenix Art Museum’s most unique fund raising event.

The annual Copperstate 1000 celebrates the cultural legacy of the automobile by featuring over 70 of the finest vintage, sports, racing, classic and grand touring automobiles manufactured before 1974. In past years, the field has included Ferrari, Porsche, Mercedes Benz, Jaguar, Rolls Royce, Maserati, Corvette, Aston Martin, Alfa Romeo and more.

The annual rally traverses 1,000 miles of the most diverse scenery in the American Southwest – desert terrain, verdant river valleys and alpine landscapes. With the sweeping curves, long straight-aways and cliff-hugging switchbacks, this 4-day adventure is a must-do for any driving enthusiast. Although the route changes each year, one thing remains constant – the natural beauty that is Arizona.

The Copperstate 1000 is one of three fund raising events organized by the Men’s Arts Council to support the operation and endowment of Phoenix Art Museum. During its 18-year history, the Copperstate 1000 has raised over $800,000 for the Museum.

Find out more by visiting the Copperstate 1000 dedicated website.