Art Museums in AZ

Visit Amerind Museum For A Great Native American Art Collection 
The Amerind Foundation and Museum was established in 1937, to promote the works and cultural heritage of Native Americans. The Amerind Museum has been opened to the public since 1985. Prior to this, visits were allowed only by appointments. The Museum has grown since its inception and can be visited for a great insight into the lives and culture of the Native Americans, all the way from the Ice Age.

It is located amongst the rock formations of Texas Canyon, which makes the visit even more interesting. The Museum is open from 10 am to 4 pm on Tuesday-Sunday. It remains closed on Monday and major holidays. The admission fee varies from $5-$8 and is free for children below 12 years and Blue star Program Members. You can make purchases at the Museum Store, which gives a 10% discount to Amerind Members.  This is a great art museum in Arizona t0 visit!

Explore 200 Years of Western Art
The Desert Caballeros Western Museum was established in 1960, though it was open to the public in 1969. The museum thrived well for a few years until a major fire caused irreparable damage in 1972 and hundreds of items were lost. There was massive restoration that was carried out to put the museum back in shape. This art museum in AZ has one of the nation's most comprehensive collections of Western art, with over 700 paintings, photographs, sculptures, and works on paper spanning over 200 years.

The Museum can be visited on Monday – Saturday 10:00 AM –5:00 PM or Sunday Noon to 4:00 PM. It’s closed on major holidays. The admission fee ranges from $7- $9, though it’s free for active military personnel and guests and those under 17.

Spend The day Amidst Native Western American Art
The Heard Museum is renowned internationally for its exceptional galleries and shops, exciting exhibitions and vibrant festivals it organizes. This Museum works with the Native Indian artists and tribal leaders for preservation of the art and culture that has evolved through centuries. If you plan to visit this museum, keep aside 5-6 hours to tour through the 11 exhibition galleries, its sculpture gardens, a renowned café, and its shopping zone.

The galleries open Monday-Saturday from 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the exception of Easter, Christmas and 4th of July. The entry ticket costs between $7.5 to $18 though it is free for children under 5, Native Americans and the members.

Experience the Colorado Art & Culture
The Museum of Northern Arizona was originally established in 1928 by a group of Flagstaff citizens for collecting and preserving the cultural heritage of the Colorado Plateau. Today the visitors can view an amazing collection of Paintings, apart from items related to anthropology, geology and biology. The Museum organizes many events and tours for the visitors and has eight galleries, 5 of which have permanent exhibits, while the other three have changing exhibits.

This Museum can be visited on any day of the week from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. It remains closed on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The Admission ticket price is between $6 and $10 and is free for members and children under 10. 

 NAU's Exhibitions of Modern Art Offer Great Insight
The Northern Arizona University Art Museum is primarily a teaching institution which accentuates the diversity & creativity expressed through various mediums in modern art. The museum believes in the similarity of artistic expression of different cultures and the value of art in education. The museum plays a vital role as a cultural institution in Northern Arizona and has an extensive collection of contemporary art.

The NAU Art Museum is open to the public during exhibitions, 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm Tuesday - Saturday. It is closed on Sunday, Monday, and all University holidays. Parking for visitors is available in the designated stalls in lot P4 and anywhere in P3 with a free guest parking pass available from the museum's staff.

Explore Great Works of Western American Artists
The Phippen Museum was first established in 1974 as the Phippen Foundation in the memory of George Phippen, the first president of the Cowboy Artists of America. Its chief mission remains to preserve and exhibit Western art and portray its advancement through time. It was opened for the public on October 13, 1984. The Museum’s collection includes paintings, etchings, drawings, bronze sculptures, etc., that date from the late 19th century to the early 21st century.

This art museum in downtown Prescott can be visited on Tuesday-Saturday (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.) and Sunday (1 p.m. - 4 p.m. ). An admission ticket price varies from $5.00 to $7.00 though it is free for children under 12 and members. The museum offers free tours of its current exhibits on the first Saturday of every month, at 11 a.m. 

Amazing View of the Southwestern American Art & Culture
The Smoki Art Museum in AZ came into existence to create awareness and respect for indigenous art and cultures of the southwestern Americans. The structure created from local stone and wood, resembles an Indian Pueblo. The museum’s art collection includes watercolor and oil paintings, charcoal sketches, hundreds of Hopi photographs and the remarkable Kachina paintings.

The admission fee ranges from $5 to $7, though the admission is free for children under 12. You can plan a visit to the Smoky Museum on a Monday – Saturday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., or Sunday between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. You should contact them to check the timings for major holidays and worst-weather days.

Experience Exemplary Contemporary Art & Design at SMoCA
SMoCA is dedicated to contemporary art, architecture and design, and is the best place in Arizona to experience contemporary art and culture. This offers an unmatched display of innovation and creativity that goes beyond expectations in this part of the country. The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art’s approach to art is of global standards.

SMoCA’s visiting hours on Tuesday, Wednesday or Sunday is between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. and on Fridays and Saturdays it is extended till 9 p.m. There is no admission fee for members and visitors under 15 years, for others it varies between $5 and $7, though on Thursdays full-day and Fridays & Saturdays (evenings only) it’s free.

Historic and Contemporary Art From All Over The World
The Museum was originally established as the Tucson Fine Arts Association in 1924 and much later in 1954, it was officially renamed as the Tucson Art Center. It has come a long way to evolve as the Tucson Museum of Art and History where it offers interesting permanent and changing exhibitions focusing on Latin America, American West, Modern and Contemporary and Asian Art apart from many other events and programs.

The Arizona art museum is open on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.), Thursday (10 a.m. -8 p.m.), and Sunday (12 p.m. – 5 p.m.). They are closed on Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.  The Admission charges vary between $ 5 and $10, though it is free for those under 18, active military & veterans and the museum members. First Sunday of each month is free for all. 

Don't Miss One of The Most Beautiful Museums
The SACAMA (Shemer Art Center and Museum Association) was established in 1985 to provide support and contribute to the operation of the art center. The Shemer Art Center, Phoenix nurtures creativity and imagination through art. It has a fascinating and unique collection.

They are very proud to have been chosen as one of the “Points of Pride” for the city of Phoenix. This Arizona art museum is open to the general public on Tuesday – Saturday (10:00AM - 3:00PM). It remains closed on Sunday, Monday and National Holidays. The Shemer Art Center is wheelchair accessible. Visitors of the center enjoy free admission and free parking on site.

Explore the Best Contemporary Ceramic Art Collection
The Arizona State University Art Museum was founded in 1950 with a major contribution of artworks by Oliver B. James who was a renowned lawyer. The art collection of the museum continued to expand in prints and American craft collection. In the west -end of the campus is the Nelson Fine Arts Center which is a beautiful building and is mainly used for the museum’s exhibitions. The ASU Art Museum has, one of the biggest collections, of contemporary American and British ceramics in the United States. It offers innovative approaches to educational programs for expanding its reach in the community.

The Museum can be visited on Tuesday: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. (though from May through August it is open till 5 p.m. only), Wednesday–Saturday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. It is closed on Sunday, Monday and major holidays. There is no admission fee.

Explore The History of Photography At CPP
The Center for Creative Photography in Tucson is a premier research institution that has the largest collection in the world dedicated to items that portray the history of modern North American photography. This Museum is visited by photographers, scholars and others with interest in creative expression through artistic photography. The Center has the archives of over 200 photographers, scholars, galleries, and organizations, which amounts to over 4.5 million items, matched by about 90,000 fine prints.

Photographers come to the Center to be inspired by studying the collections, and their unparalleled creativity. Visitors get to experience the rich heritage of modern North American photography. The museum does not have any entry fee and is open to the public. You can visit on Monday – Friday (9am – 5pm) or Saturday and Sunday (1pm – 4pm).