Generations of artists, architects and performers have found their muse in Scottsdale's Sonoran Desert. Today, you'll find art located throughout the city, from monumental public art installations to galleries, museums and artists' studios.

Begin your exploration of Scottsdale's vibrant arts and cultural scene in the downtown Scottsdale Arts District, where dozens of outstanding galleries showcase art in a wide range of styles and mediums. The Arts District also is the setting for the Thursday night ArtWalk, a 30-year Scottsdale tradition in which galleries stay open into the evening and treat guests to artist receptions, demonstrations and entertainment.

Just a few blocks east of the Arts District, on the lush grounds of Scottsdale Civic Center Mall, are two more must-see attractions: the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) and the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. At SMoCA, cutting-edge contemporary art takes center stage with exhibits by renowned artists like William Wegman and Nick Cave, as well as a permanent installation by acclaimed light artist James Turrell. Next door, the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts is set to debut this month following a $16 million renovation. Gracing the Center's stage over the next few months are such luminaries as Tony Award-winning actress/singer Kristin Chenoweth, comedian John Cleese and master cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

In central Scottsdale, an easy 20-minute drive north of downtown, you'll find Taliesin West, an oasis of desert-inspired architecture created by the legendary Frank Lloyd Wright. Considered one of Wright's greatest masterpieces, Taliesin West was designed to serve as his personal home, studio and architectural laboratory. A variety of guided tours are available year-round that showcase Wright's brilliant ability to integrate indoor and outdoor spaces. One of the students who came to Taliesin West to study with Wright was an Italian Architect named Paolo Soleri. Soleri later settled in Scottsdale and constructed Cosanti, a collection of desert-friendly concrete structures that house a gallery and working studio for Soleri's world-famous bronze and ceramic windbells.

In celebration of the area's first artists, the Native Americans, the Heard Museum North Scottsdale features two exhibit galleries of American Indian artwork from the original Heard Museum's renowned collection. The Heard Museum North also offers educational programs and special events like the annual Navajo Folk ArtFestival in March.

Scottsdale also boasts a robust calendar of events that’s filled with al fresco art festivals, cutting-edge gallery exhibits and concerts under the stars. Up-coming highlights include:

Scottsdale Fashion Week - Nov. 5-7, 2009
Scottsdale Latin Jazz Festival - Nov. 13-15, 2009
ArtFest of Scottsdale - Nov. 21-22, 2009
Pueblo Grande Indian Market - Dec. 12-13, 2009
Arizona Fine Art Expo - Jan. 14 - March 28, 2010
Celebration of Fine Art - Jan. 16 – March 28, 2010
Native Trails - Jan. 21 – April 10, 2010

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