Mesa Arts Center | Mesa

Mesa Arts Center is Arizona’s largest multidisciplinary arts campus and one of the most ambitious cultural projects in the Southwestern United States. Located in the heart of downtown Mesa, this 212,000-square-foot facility functions as a visual and performing arts complex, an educational space, and a public gathering place. Designed with architectural boldness and community-centered philosophy, it is a place where art, innovation, education, and civic life intersect.

🏛️ Architectural Design & Campus Layout

Opened in 2005, the Mesa Arts Center was designed by a collaborative team led by Bora Architects (Portland, OR) and DWL Architects (Phoenix), with landscape design by Martha Schwartz Partners. The design philosophy was inspired by the Arizona desert itself-its raw beauty, organic shapes, and intense light.

Key Architectural Elements:

Geode-inspired layout: The outer perimeter mimics the rough exterior of a geode, while the interior reveals light-filled glass and colorful architectural "crystals"-symbolizing creative energy within.

Shadow Walk: A signature architectural spine-an outdoor promenade that flows through the campus, blending light, color, and mist in an immersive sensory experience. The space is designed for informal performances and spontaneous interaction.

Desert-adaptive landscaping: The site includes sunken gardens, shallow fountains, native plants, sculptural walls, and stainless-steel trellises for shade, representing the fusion of urban and ecological aesthetics.

🎭 Performing Arts Theaters

Mesa Arts Center features four distinct theaters, accommodating a wide range of events-from Broadway shows to chamber concerts, ballet, comedy, and community plays.

Ikeda Theater

Capacity: 1,588 seats

The largest theater on campus, designed with top-tier acoustics, a full fly system, orchestra pit, and large stage for major touring productions and orchestras.

Virginia G. Piper Repertory Theater

Capacity: 550 seats

A more intimate proscenium venue with a modern, garden-inspired interior design; used for mid-scale theater, musicals, and spoken-word events.

Nesbitt/Elliott Playhouse

Capacity: 200 seats

A flexible performance space, ideal for youth theater, community productions, and independent performances.

Farnsworth Studio Theater

Capacity: 99 seats

A black-box theater used for experimental works, student showcases, and immersive performances.

🖼 Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum (MCA)

A core feature of the campus is the Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum, located on the southern end of the complex.

Museum Highlights:

Five gallery spaces, totaling 5,500 square feet, showcasing rotating exhibitions by local, national, and international artists.

Emphasis on contemporary art forms including mixed media, installation, street art, photography, sculpture, and interactive art.

Past exhibitions have included artists such as El Mac, Alex Grey, and Ron English.

The museum is free and open to the public, serving as an accessible portal to the visual arts for visitors of all backgrounds.

Hosts curator talks, community receptions, artist-led tours, and educational programming.

🎨 Visual Art & Education Studios

One of the Mesa Arts Center’s most impactful functions is as an arts education hub, offering hands-on studio experiences for all ages and skill levels.

Studio Disciplines:

Ceramics – full kilns, wheels, hand-building areas.

Glass arts – flame-working, stained glass, and kiln-formed glass.

Metal arts – blacksmithing, jewelry-making, and metal sculpture.

Printmaking – including etching, block printing, and silkscreening.

Painting and drawing, photography, fiber arts, and mixed media.

Dance and acting studios for both recreational and professional training.

Classes run throughout the year and are segmented for youth, teens, adults, and seniors. Programs range from one-day workshops to semester-long courses. Specialized offerings also exist for Creative Aging, designed to keep older adults engaged in artistic practice.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Community & Cultural Events

Mesa Arts Center is not just an elite venue-it’s a deeply rooted community resource. It organizes and hosts a broad calendar of public events that celebrate diversity, heritage, and creativity.

Signature Events:

Día de los Muertos Festival – One of the largest and most colorful in the region, featuring altars, mariachi, folklórico, artists, food vendors, and cultural demonstrations.

Spark! Festival – Focused on creativity and innovation across generations.

Out to Lunch Concert Series – Free lunchtime concerts held in the outdoor Shadow Walk.

First Fridays & Second Sundays – Community art markets and family activity days.

Youth media showcases, spoken-word slams, and summer arts camps.

👥 Resident Arts Companies

The Mesa Arts Center provides a permanent home for several important local performing arts organizations:

Southwest Shakespeare Company – Classical plays and educational outreach.

Mesa Encore Theatre – Community-driven musicals and plays.

East Valley Children’s Theatre – Youth-focused productions and camps.

Sonoran Desert Chorale – Choral music inspired by global traditions.

Salt River Brass – Regional symphonic brass ensemble.

Ballet Etudes – Hosts annual Nutcracker and youth dance performances.

These companies use the campus for rehearsal, education, and public performances, keeping the center active year-round.

🌟 Awards & Recognition

The center has earned multiple awards for architectural and civic excellence:

ULI Award for Excellence (2006)

ASLA National Honor Award (2007)

Named Best Performing Arts Center by Phoenix New Times (2024)

Serves over 500,000 visitors per year, making it one of the most impactful arts institutions in Arizona.

🧭 Visiting Experience

Location: 1 E Main Street, Mesa, AZ 85201

Parking: Multiple garages and lots (including Sirrine and South Lot); affordable rates and accessibility.

Hours:

Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum: Tue–Sat 10 AM–5 PM, Sun 12–5 PM, closed Mon.

Classes and performances run on individual schedules.

Amenities: Box office, gift shop, art installations, outdoor seating, water features, and shaded courtyards.

The campus is ADA accessible, with ramps, elevators, and listening-assist systems in theaters.

✅ Summary: Why Visit Mesa Arts Center

A cultural landmark blending visual and performing arts, education, and public engagement.

Architecturally stunning and purpose-built for artistic exploration.

Offers year-round access to world-class performances, contemporary exhibitions, art education, and family-friendly events.

Serves as a dynamic anchor for downtown Mesa’s civic identity and creative economy.

Mesa Arts Center is more than an arts venue-it’s a living, evolving public space that fosters inspiration, connection, and expression across generations.