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Mesa Arts Center: A Sonoran Desert Gem

Arizona's premier arts destination with world-class performances, exhibitions, and creative spaces in the heart of downtown Mesa.

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The Mesa Arts Center, the largest comprehensive arts campus in Arizona, is a vibrant hub in downtown Mesa. Opened in 2005, this architecturally striking center offers world-class performances, visual art exhibitions, and dynamic creative spaces for all ages.

A brief summary to Mesa Arts Center

  • Tuesday 12 pm-5 pm
  • Wednesday 12 pm-5 pm
  • Thursday 12 pm-5 pm
  • Friday 12 pm-5 pm
  • Saturday 12 pm-5 pm

Local tips

  • Check the Mesa Arts Center's website for a current schedule of events, exhibitions, and classes.
  • Admission to the Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum is free.
  • Consider attending a free community festival hosted by the Mesa Arts Center.
  • Parking is available in several lots and garages near the Mesa Arts Center, with fees typically around $10 for events.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the intersection of Main Street and Center Street in downtown Mesa, the Mesa Arts Center is located one block east on Main Street. The entrance is easily visible from the street.

  • Public Transport

    The Mesa Arts Center is conveniently located near the Center and Main Street light rail stop. From the stop, walk south to Main Street, then east one block to the Arts Center. A one-way fare on Valley Metro Rail is $2.00.

  • Driving

    From US-60, exit onto Mesa Drive and head north. Turn west onto Main Street. The Mesa Arts Center will be on your right. Several parking lots and garages are available in the immediate vicinity, with event parking typically costing $10. Street parking is also available.

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Discover more about Mesa Arts Center

The Mesa Arts Center stands as a beacon of culture in the heart of downtown Mesa. Spanning over 210,000 square feet, this $95 million facility, completed in 2005, is not only the largest arts campus in Arizona but also a testament to the city's commitment to revitalization through the arts. The center's architecture, primarily post-modern, is inspired by the Sonoran Desert landscape, featuring sharp angles, sloping roofs, and a color palette that reflects the surrounding environment. The complex guides visitors from outer concrete walls to a central space filled with glass, water, and color, creating a unique and inviting atmosphere. The Mesa Arts Center encompasses four performance venues, including the Ikeda Theater, a grand proscenium-style theater seating nearly 1,600, and the intimate Farnsworth Studio Theater with 99 seats. The Nesbitt/Elliott Playhouse offers a steep incline for unobstructed views, while the Virgina G. Piper Repertory Theater brings audiences close to the stage. The Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum (MCA), a part of the center, features five galleries with rotating exhibitions of contemporary art. Admission to the museum is free. Additionally, the center houses 14 art studios, offering nearly 1,000 classes in visual and performing arts. The center's Shadow Walk is a major pathway through the campus, adorned with outdoor gardens, sunken courtyards, performance spaces, and water features. Public art is integrated throughout the architecture, connecting the center to the community. The Mesa Arts Center plays a vital role in Mesa's cultural and economic landscape. It attracts world-class performances, engaging exhibitions, and a wide range of events, contributing significantly to the city's economy and quality of life.

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