Fine Arts
Fine Art can be described in broad definition as art created for purely aesthetic expression, communication, or contemplation. In the Phoenix metro area there are many outlets for personal expression and enjoyment for Phoenicians of all ages and interests. The Valley has a history of inspiration for artists and art enthusiasts dating back to the petroglyphs first carved by native American peoples who inhabited Arizona as early as 300 B.C.
Arts in Phoenix has come a long way since that auspicious beginning. Throughout the Valley of the Sun you will see art expressed everywhere from the art on our highways roads and bridges to the treasures in our museums to the resounding melodies echoing through our symphony halls.
Youth Arts
Phoenix Activity Center is a program sponsored by Phoenix Parks and Recreation for kids. It is offered after school and in the summer at 100 sites throughout the Valley. Kids spend time in a supervised program in schools, community centers and churches in locations close to home. The program encourages youth to express themselves through art, music, drama and dance. At the same time they make friends, have physical activity and foster cultural awareness.
The Metropolitan Youth Symphony, founded in 1982 by a group of parents and music educators and is now in its 24th season with 267 members. Under the direction of Wayne Roederer, Musical Director/Principal Conductor. MYS is divided into three string orchestras and one full symphonic orchestra. Members attend weekly rehearsals and perform in at least four formal concerts each season.
The Phoenix Boys Choir boasts 170 members ranging in age from 7 to 14 singing in 5 choirs. The touring members have traveled to France, Austria, London, Paris, Taipei, Beijing and Sydney.
The Phoenix Children's Chorus provides a comprehensive choral music education with performance opportunities in a positive learning environment for kids form 2nd grade up through high school.
Ballet Etudes targets dancers from age 9-18. Its mission is to recreate the experiences of a professional ballet company for serious young dancers. It is dedicated to providing the highest quality in dance education and optimum performing opportunities for its members.
Music
Music venues and opportunities are rich in the Phoenix Metro area. The Phoenix Symphony has been commended by the National Endowment for the Arts for its high level of musicality. Founded in 1947, it became a full time symphony in the 1980's and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1997.
Michael Christie, the Virginia G. Piper Music Director of The Phoenix Symphony, has guest conducted many leading orchestras in Europe including the City of Birmingham Symphony, Lausanne Chamber Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, and the Swedish Radio Symphony. From 1996-98, he was associate conductor of the Helsinki Philharmonic, and he has worked with all the major Finnish orchestras.
In addition to the Phoenix Symphony, the Valley also supports the Scottsdale Symphony Orchestra, the Chandler Symphony Orchestra, and the Mesa Symphony Orchestra.
The Arizona Opera performs for audiences in Phoenix and Tucson. Maestro Joel Revzen is an award-winning conductor and pianist who has been on the Metropolitan Opera conducting staff since 1999. Arizona Opera produces a five opera season, with three performance dates in Tucson at the TCC Music Hall and four performances at Symphony Hall in Phoenix. Arizona Opera's principal talent is engaged from all over the country and often, from around the world.
The Phoenix Chamber Music Society performs in the Scottsdale Center for the Arts and boasts a commitment to provide the finest chamber music in the world. They currently offer approximately eight concerts in their 2007-2008 season.
Dance
Ballet Arizona is one of Arizona's largest performing arts companies. The company is dedicated to preserving and celebrating classical dance while creating and commissioning new innovative works. Ballet Arizona is under the artistic direction of Ib Andersen.
The Center Dance Ensemble is the resident modern dance company of the Herberger Theater Center. The Center was built in 1989 to support and foster the growth of performing arts in Phoenix as a performance venue and arts incubator.
Theater
The Phoenix Theater offers a full range of theatrical programming including musicals, comedies and dramas. Their Cookie Company Theater is aimed at young audiences. New Works Festival is a month long festival which provides an opportunity to playwrights (new and seasoned) to stage public readings of new scripts performed by professional actors, followed by an audience feedback session.
The Arizona Theater Company has developed an impressive national reputation and now attracts some of the nation's most respected and talented theatre professionals. All of the staff of ATC are full-time professionals.
The Actors Theatre is theater with a social conscience in an urban setting. The ideas and themes are the framework for civic dialogue within our community. The company has built a reputation or producing thought-provoking theatre.
Throughout the Valley there is other live theater of note: Arizona Black Theater Troup, Southwest Shakespeare Company, Scottsdale Community Players, among others.
