Phoenix Art Museum is at 1625 N Central Ave in central Phoenix, with galleries spanning art from around the world and across centuries. You can move from European and Asian works to modern and contemporary art, fashion, photography and Western American pieces. Rotating exhibitions add new subjects to explore; past displays have included Japanese clay and fashion from the 1960s. Make time for the Thorne miniature rooms and the striking glass-and-metal installation above the entrance. The museum also has a café, restaurant, shop and theater.
Collections from around the world
The museum’s galleries cover American, Asian, European, Latin American and Western American art, as well as modern and contemporary work. The collection also includes photography and fashion design. The range makes it possible to shift from historic pieces to newer work without leaving the museum.
The European galleries include works from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, while Asian art reaches back thousands of years. In the Western American collection, look for art connected to the landscapes and culture of the Southwest. The museum has also shown work by artists including Claude Monet, Georgia O’Keeffe, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. Which works are on view can change, so check the current exhibitions before setting out.
Fashion, miniatures and contemporary art
Fashion has its own place among the museum’s subjects. Past exhibitions have explored 1960s fashion, and the fashion galleries sit alongside contemporary art, photography and more traditional collections. Special exhibitions rotate, bringing in new themes and ways to approach the collection.
The Thorne miniature rooms offer a change of scale: small, detailed interiors based on rooms from different historical periods. Contemporary displays have included Yayoi Kusama’s mirror-room installation and exhibitions of Japanese clay. These works are among the reasons to check what is currently on view, as exhibition access and displays can change.
The building and its beginnings
Phoenix Art Museum opened in 1959. Its collection has roots in an earlier community art collection begun by the Phoenix Women’s Club in 1915. Architect Alden B. Dow designed the museum building, a modernist structure in central Phoenix.
Above the entrance, look for Josiah McElheny’s The Last Scattering Surface, a suspended work made from glass and metal. It was acquired by the museum in 2008. Inside, the galleries are spread across a large museum, so a couple of hours can still leave more to see. Some galleries may close for renovation or private events, and special exhibitions can have separate access arrangements.
Tours, events and a break between galleries
Tours can add context to a visit, especially if you want help looking closely at a particular collection or exhibition. The museum also hosts live performances, films, lectures, workshops and programs for families. Check the calendar for what is scheduled on your date; events and exhibitions vary.
There is a café and a restaurant on site, along with a gift shop and theater. These give you options for a pause between galleries or before a performance. If you are planning to eat there, check current details ahead of time, as the supplied information does not list a menu.
Planning your visit
The museum is at 1625 N Central Ave. It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays; on Wednesdays it is open until 8 pm, and on Fridays it also stays open into the evening. Wednesday entry becomes pay what you wish after 3 pm, with donations encouraged. Check the museum’s current ticket information for regular admission and any special-exhibition charges.
Parking can become difficult when there is a performance at the nearby theater. If your visit coincides with an event, consider alternative transport. The museum has wheelchair-accessible entrances, parking, restrooms and seating, as well as assisted listening devices.
Preguntas frecuentes
When is Phoenix Art Museum closed?
It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Can you visit Phoenix Art Museum for pay what you wish?
Yes. On Wednesdays, entry is pay what you wish after 3 pm. Donations are encouraged.
How long should you spend at Phoenix Art Museum?
Allow about 2 to 3 hours to explore the galleries. The collection and exhibitions are extensive, so you may not see everything in one visit.
Is parking available at Phoenix Art Museum?
Free parking is available, but it can be difficult when a nearby theater has a performance. Consider alternative transport on event days.
