Voted Best Museum of the Valley Two Years in a Row!

Opened in 1999, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) has established itself as a leader in the arts, presenting innovative exhibitions and educational programs. Designed by award-winning architect Will Bruder, SMoCA’s minimalist building (an ingenious transformation of a former movie theater) has five galleries for showcasing rotating exhibitions and works from the Museum’s growing permanent collection, along with a sixth multiuse area called _____ space (blank space). Always on view is Knight Rise, a Skyspace by Arizona-based artist James Turrell—who is heralded internationally as one of the most significant artists of our time. 

SMoCA engages with emerging and established artists from around the world and from our own community to support new commissions and encourage dialogue about the art of our time. The result is a lively community space that is a laboratory for creative thinking and new ideas. By embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion as organizational values, SMoCA, together with creatives across platforms, promotes cross-cultural dialogue and fosters mutual understanding and respect. 

We are grateful for the support from our partners, such as the City of Scottsdale, The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Billie Jo Herberger, the National Endowment for the Arts, The Walter and Karla Goldschmidt Foundation, The Terra Foundation for American Art, and the thousands of individuals, businesses, and groups who have given time, money, ideas, and energy to help the Museum grow and prosper over our twenty-five-year history. 

Visit SMoCA and experience the unexpected!

Jennifer McCabe
Director and Chief Curator, SMoCA

SMoCA’s Mission Statement

Vision:  

We aspire to broaden participation by cultivating an inclusive space for dialogues, ideas, and connections.  

Mission:  

Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) is an accredited and internationally recognized institution that encourages reflections and conversations about life through art. We produce and mediate creative expressions that lead to shared curiosity and meaning across a wide range of publics.   

Values:  

We value creativity, collaboration, experimentation, and exchange. We strive to adapt to shifting environments by leading with empathy while fostering trust and mutual transformation.  

SMoCA Advisory Council 2023-2024

Members

Officers

Cristóbal Martínez, Chair.