# 10 Best Art Galleries in Scottsdale, AZ (2026) | Scottsdale Scoop > The best art galleries in Scottsdale from world-class museums to intimate Old Town galleries. Explore the art capital of the Southwest. Source: https://guides.thescottsdalescoop.com/best-art-galleries-scottsdale --- ![Best Art Galleries in Scottsdale](/images/galleries-hero.webp) Activities & Experiences # Best Art Galleries in Scottsdale The art capital of the Southwest Guides › Best Art Galleries in Scottsdale Scottsdale has been an art destination since the 1970s, and today the city has more art galleries per capita than almost anywhere in the country. The Scottsdale Arts District, Marshall Way gallery row, and the quarterly ArtWalk events draw collectors and art lovers from around the world. Whether you're into Western art, contemporary installations, Native American works, or cutting-edge modern pieces, Scottsdale's gallery scene has it. Most galleries are free to browse and the people who run them love talking about art. Here's where to start. Updated July 4, 2026 10 spots ### In This Guide 1 Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) 2 Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West 3 Bonner David Galleries 4 Cattle Track Arts Compound 5 Scottsdale Arts District — Marshall Way 6 Lisa Sette Gallery 7 Heard Museum 8 Scottsdale ArtWalk 9 Wilde Meyer Gallery 10 Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) ![Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) in Scottsdale](/images/smoca.webp) 1 ## [Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA)](https://www.smoca.org) Thought-provoking contemporary art in a stunning minimalist space Old Town Scottsdale (Civic Center Mall) SMoCA is Scottsdale's crown jewel for contemporary art. The museum features rotating exhibitions that range from provocative installations to design-focused shows, and the permanent James Turrell Skyspace 'Knight Rise' alone is worth the visit. The minimalist building designed by Will Bruder is a work of art itself. Admission is free on Thursdays, and the museum hosts regular events including late-night art parties. It's small enough to see in an hour but impactful enough that you'll be thinking about what you saw for days. James Turrell 'Knight Rise' Skyspace Free admission Thursdays Will Bruder-designed building Visit Website View in Directory ![Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West in Scottsdale](/images/western-spirit-museum.webp) 2 ## [Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West](https://www.scottsdalemuseumwest.org) Smithsonian-affiliated museum celebrating Western art and history Old Town Scottsdale Western Spirit is a Smithsonian-affiliated museum that celebrates the art, history, and culture of the American West, and it does it beautifully. The exhibitions feature Western masters alongside contemporary Western artists, with rotating shows that keep it fresh for repeat visitors. The permanent collection includes stunning paintings, sculptures, and artifacts that tell the story of the West. The building itself is gorgeous with a modern Southwestern design. If you're interested in understanding the artistic heritage of the region, this is essential. Smithsonian-affiliated Western art masters and contemporaries Beautiful modern Southwestern building Visit Website View in Directory ![Bonner David Galleries in Scottsdale](/images/bonner-david-galleries.webp) 3 ## [Bonner David Galleries](https://www.bonnerdavid.com) One of the largest galleries in the Southwest with museum-quality art North Scottsdale (Pinnacle Peak area) Bonner David Galleries operates one of the largest gallery spaces in the Southwest and the quality of art on display is genuinely museum-caliber. They represent both established and emerging artists working across painting, sculpture, glass, and mixed media. The gallery space is massive and beautifully lit, making it feel more like a private museum than a commercial gallery. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and welcoming to browsers and serious collectors alike. Even if you're not buying, walking through Bonner David is a remarkable art experience. One of the largest galleries in the Southwest Museum-caliber art Welcoming to all visitors Visit Website View in Directory ![Cattle Track Arts Compound in Scottsdale](/images/cattle-track-arts.webp) 4 ## [Cattle Track Arts Compound](https://www.cattletrackarts.com) Historic artists' colony with working studios and raw creative energy Central Scottsdale Cattle Track is something completely different from the polished gallery scene. This historic artists' compound has been home to working artists since the 1930s, and walking through the rustic studios feels like stepping back in time. Artists work in everything from painting and sculpture to glass-blowing and metalwork, and many studios are open to visitors. The twice-yearly open studio events are legendary. It's raw, authentic, and the opposite of pretentious. If you want to see where art actually gets made in Scottsdale, not just where it gets sold, Cattle Track is it. Working artists' colony since the 1930s Open studio events Raw, authentic creative energy Visit Website View in Directory ![Scottsdale Arts District — Marshall Way in Scottsdale](/images/marshall-way-galleries.webp) 5 ## [Scottsdale Arts District — Marshall Way](https://www.scottsdaleartsdistrict.com) Gallery row with dozens of galleries in a walkable stretch Marshall Way, Old Town Scottsdale Marshall Way and the surrounding blocks in Old Town form the heart of Scottsdale's gallery scene. You can walk from gallery to gallery and see everything from traditional Western art to contemporary abstract to Native American jewelry and pottery. The Thursday ArtWalk (select Thursdays throughout the year) is the best time to visit when galleries host receptions with wine and the streets come alive. Even on a regular day, you can spend hours browsing. Many of the gallery owners and artists are present and love talking about their work. It's free, it's walkable, and it's uniquely Scottsdale. Dozens of walkable galleries Thursday ArtWalk events Free to browse Visit Website View in Directory ![Lisa Sette Gallery in Scottsdale](/images/lisa-sette-gallery.webp) 6 ## [Lisa Sette Gallery](https://www.lisasettegallery.com) Internationally recognized gallery with cutting-edge contemporary work Central Scottsdale Lisa Sette Gallery has been one of the most important contemporary art galleries in the Southwest for decades. The gallery represents an impressive roster of international and national artists working in photography, painting, sculpture, and mixed media. The exhibitions are thoughtfully curated and often feature work that challenges and inspires. Lisa Sette herself is deeply connected to the international art world, and the gallery punches well above what you might expect in a city of Scottsdale's size. For serious contemporary art lovers, this is a must-visit. Internationally recognized program Cutting-edge contemporary work Decades of influence Visit Website View in Directory ![Heard Museum in Scottsdale](/images/heard-museum.webp) 7 ## [Heard Museum](https://www.heard.org) World-renowned museum of Native American art and culture Phoenix (15 min from Old Town Scottsdale) The Heard Museum in Phoenix is one of the finest museums dedicated to Native American art and culture anywhere in the world. While technically in Phoenix, it's a short drive from Scottsdale and absolutely essential for any art lover visiting the area. The collections span centuries of Native American artistic tradition with stunning pottery, textiles, jewelry, paintings, and sculpture. The museum also addresses the complex history of Native American experience with sensitivity and depth. Plan at least two to three hours. It's genuinely one of the best museum experiences in Arizona. World-class Native American art Centuries of artistic tradition Essential Arizona museum Visit Website View in Directory ### 🌵 Get the Scottsdale Scoop Join 15,000+ Scottsdale locals who get the best events, restaurants, and hidden gems delivered every week. ![Scottsdale ArtWalk in Scottsdale](/images/scottsdale-artwalk.webp) 8 ## [Scottsdale ArtWalk](https://www.scottsdalegalleries.com/artwalk) Free gallery walk with receptions, wine, and live art Throughout Old Town Scottsdale Arts District The Scottsdale ArtWalk isn't a single gallery but it's the single best art experience in Scottsdale. Held on select Thursday evenings throughout the year, galleries across the Arts District open their doors for receptions with wine, artist talks, and new exhibition openings. The atmosphere is festive and social, and it's completely free. You can wander from gallery to gallery at your own pace, discovering new artists and seeing work you'd never encounter otherwise. It's one of Scottsdale's best traditions and the perfect way to experience the depth of the city's art scene in one evening. Free gallery walk evenings Wine receptions and artist talks Best way to experience the arts district Visit Website View in Directory ![Wilde Meyer Gallery in Scottsdale](/images/wilde-meyer-gallery.webp) 9 ## [Wilde Meyer Gallery](https://www.wildemeyer.com) Colorful, vibrant Southwestern art that's fun and accessible Marshall Way, Old Town Scottsdale Wilde Meyer Gallery on Marshall Way is one of the most visually striking galleries in the Arts District. The art here is colorful, vibrant, and deeply Southwestern in character, featuring bright desert landscapes, whimsical animal paintings, and mixed-media pieces that are genuinely fun to look at. It's the kind of gallery where you walk in smiling. The artists represented here capture the spirit and energy of the desert in ways that are accessible and joyful. It's a great gallery for people who are new to gallery-browsing because the work is immediately engaging. Vibrant Southwestern art Colorful and accessible Fun and engaging for all visitors Visit Website View in Directory ![Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) in Scottsdale](/images/musical-instrument-museum.webp) 10 ## [Musical Instrument Museum (MIM)](https://www.mim.org) Unique museum with instruments from every country on earth North Scottsdale MIM isn't a traditional art gallery but it's one of the most remarkable cultural experiences in Scottsdale. The museum houses instruments from virtually every country on earth, presented with interactive audio stations where you can hear each instrument played. The collection is staggering in its breadth and the presentation is world-class. The Artist Gallery features instruments and artifacts from legendary musicians. It's the kind of place where you think you'll spend an hour and end up staying three. Consistently rated one of the top museums in the entire country by visitors. Instruments from every country Interactive audio stations Top-rated museum nationally Visit Website View in Directory ## Never Miss a Scottsdale Pick Subscribe to the Scottsdale Scoop newsletter and get the best local spots, events, and inside scoop delivered to your inbox every week. It's free. Join 15,000+ Scottsdale locals. 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