Origins and History of the Museum
Established on 18 November 1959, the Phoenix Art Museum is the largest museum for visual art in the southwest United States. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, the institution has grown through significant community support. Much of this expansion was funded by successful City of Phoenix Bond Elections and voter-approved bonds. These contributions have allowed the museum to develop its physical presence and its holdings over several decades.
The museum has hosted more than 400 exhibitions from all over the world. This history of international exchange has helped establish the institution as a significant cultural center in the region. It has been designated a Phoenix Point of Pride, reflecting its role within the local community. The museum continues to operate from its location on the Central Avenue Corridor.
Major Collections and Art Departments
The museum organizes its holdings into several distinct departments. The Art of the Americas Collections include Art of the American West, American Art (Pre-Modern), and Viceregal Latin American Art. These departments examine historical connections across the Americas, spanning from the late 18th century to the early 20th century. The Art of Europe Collection contains works from the 14th through the 19th centuries, representing significant traditions of Western European art. Additionally, the Art of Asia Collection features both historical and modern works from across the Asian continent.
The Modern and Contemporary Art Collection integrates American, European, and Latin American holdings. Within this department, the Latin American Art Collection serves as a specific focus area for works produced from 1960 to the present. This collection explores artistic traditions relevant to the shared experience of the border region. The museum also maintains a dedicated collection of fashion design.
- Rose Flowered Arches at Giverny, 1913 - Claude Monet
- Beach at Dieppe, 1870 - Gustave Courbet
- Woman Driving Geese, 1878 - Winslow Homer
- Portrait of King Charles I of England, 1633 - Anthony van Dyck
- A river landscape with a waterfall, c. 1660 - Jacob van Ruisdael
The Museum's Diverse Art Holdings
The collection comprises more than 18,000 works spanning American, Asian, European, Latin American, and Western American art. This includes modern and contemporary art, as well as fashion design. The holdings in the Art of Asia Collection cover more than one thousand years of history, with origins in regions such as India, Iran, China, and Japan.
The museum maintains a specific focus on photography through a partnership with the Center for Creative Photography at the University of Arizona. This collaboration results in three annual exhibitions of photography. For those interested in historical interior design, the Thorne Rooms offer detailed replications of rooms found in America and Europe, constructed at an exacting 1:12 scale.