About Scottsdale Public Art

Transforming Scottsdale Through Public Art

Scottsdale Public Art is a department of Scottsdale Arts, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that administers the city’s arts and cultural affairs through a City Council-approved agreement.

The mission of Scottsdale Public Art is to serve as a leader in defining art in the public realm through creative place-making, signature cultural events, exhibitions, and installations—contributing to the community’s creative, cultural, and economic vitality.

Scottsdale Public Art focuses on commissioning and maintaining large-scale permanent and temporary public art, curating exhibitions at the Scottsdale Civic Center Library, caring for, diversifying, and displaying the portable works collection, and implementing numerous public art events throughout the year, including Canal Convergence.

Since 1987, Scottsdale Public Art has managed the city’s public art program, which includes: 

  • The Art in Public Places public art program, using funds from the city’s capital projects.
  • The Art in Private Development public art program, guiding private developments inclusion of public art onto their property.
  • Care and management of the city’s Portable Works and Permanent Public Art Collections.
  • Exhibitions at Scottsdale Civic Center Library.
    Special programming including temporary public art projects and Cycle the Arts.
  • Canal Convergence, a 10-day temporary public art event every November.
How does the city pay for public art?
What city ordinances provide the fund allocation for the public art program?
Does the city have a dedicated tax for public art?
What was the first public art piece commissioned by Scottsdale?