The Mesa Arts Center is a performing and visual arts complex in downtown Mesa, Arizona. At more than square feet, the $95 million facility, completed in 2005, is the largest comprehensive arts campus in the state. Their mission statement is "to inspire people through engaging arts experiences that are diverse, accessible, and relevant." The Mesa Arts Center encompasses four performance venues, from the intimate 99-seat Farnsworth Studio Theater to the 1,600-seat Ikeda Theater. The center is also home to the Mesa Contemporary Arts, which houses five art galleries with of exhibition space. The facility also features 14 unique visual and performing art classroom studios. Multi-use areas throughout the campus provide both indoor and outdoor gathering and presentation spaces.
Architecture
The architecture of the entire complex is primarily post-modern, with sharp, jagged angles, canted walls, sloping roofs, glass walls, and a reflection of the local vernacular in both colors and materials. The introverted campus is inspired by a geode, and guides pedestrians from the outer concrete walls to a central space of glass, water, and color. This campus has been designed to be reflective of the Sonoran Desert. The complex was designed by Bora Architects of Portland, Oregon in associations with DWL Architects + Planners, Inc., of Phoenix, Arizona. Martha Schwartz Inc. served as landscape architect for the project. Michael Tingley, AIA was the Principal Architect from Bora Architects that partnered with Schwartz on the creation of this complex. One of the most stunning pieces of the Mesa Arts Center is its Shadow Walk. The Shadow Walk is a major pathway through the campus that is lined with outdoor gradens, sunken courtyards, performance spaces, water features, stainless steel pergolas, and giant canopies. In addition to the Shadow Walk, public art has been added to the architecture to connect it to the community. This includes "Fragmented Landscapes" by Ned Kahn, "Colorwalk" by Beth Galston, "Light Storm" by Catherine Widgery, and "Memento" by Rebecca Ross.
Awards
American Society of Landscape Architects: 2007 Professional General Design Honor Award.
Frontdoors Finalist of 2010: Winner of Finest Concert Venue.
Arts & Business Council of Greater Phoenix: 2010 Arts Organization of the Year.
Phoenix New Times: 2011 Best Venue to See National Acts.
Best of East Valley Tribune: 2012 Best Performing Arts/Live Music Venue.
The movement to construct the Mesa Arts Center was championed by Wayne Brown, who served as the Mayor of Mesa from 1996 to 2000. Under Brown, the city passed a quality-of-life bond issue in 1998 to help pay for the center. Though he left office in 2000, Brown and his wife, Kathye, continued a private fundraising campaign for the arts center. The couple ultimately raised more than $4.5 million from the private sector beginning in 2000. The Mesa Arts Center's sculpturecourtyard is named for Wayne Brown. Today the Executive Director of the Mesa Arts Center is Cindy Ornstein, who has been director since July, 2010. In addition to her position at the Mesa Arts Center, Ornstein is a faculty associate at ASU's Herberger Institute of Design and the Arts. Position of Assistant Director has been held by Rob Schultz since 2006. Before becoming Assistant Director, Schultz was Visual Arts Supervisor and Acting Arts Administrator. The Performing Arts Administrator is Randall Vogel, CFE. He has been in charge of Theaters and Operations since June 2002.
Programs
These programs are hosted in the four buildings on the Mesa Arts Center campus. This includes the four theaters listed above, the Mesa Contemporary, and the 14 art studios.
Performing Live
* World-class professional touring engagements perform at the Mesa Arts Center; this includes Broadway, classical music, popular music, ethnic artists, western artists, dance, National Geographic Live speaker series, and family entertainment. To view their current list of shows, please visit the Mesa Arts Center website under their "Shows" tab.
* This museum houses many innovative exhibitions, including the Permanent Collection. Other exhibitions, like the gallery for Arizona artists, are rotated out to show prominent and emerging artists. To learn more about the Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum, view the "Museum" tab of their website.
Art Studios
* Many classes are available to take at the Art Studios. These classes educate youth and adults alike on various diverse performing and visual arts. Their ever-changing schedule can be found under the "Classes" tab on the Mesa Arts Center website.
Engagement
* The Mesa Arts Center makes it a point to engage with their community. It hosts many in-school programs, workshops, artist residencies, community art projects, school shows, and satellite classes. The "Engagement" tab on their website tells more of these community engagements.
Events
* The Mesa Arts Center holds a free lunchtime concert series in the fall and spring. Every year, there are four free major festivals: Dia de los Muertos, Mesa Arts Festival, Season Kickoff, and Spark! Mesa's Festival of Creativity. To see recent and upcoming events, please visit the "Events" page on the Mesa Arts Center website.
