Excelling in Performing Arts, Visual Arts and Education
Even though the Mesa Arts Center is located in Mesa, residents of the entire Phoenix valley can enjoy the most comprehensive and largest Arts Center in Arizona. Located on a seven-acre campus, the 212,000 sq.ft. $95 million facility focuses on performing arts, contemporary arts, and arts education. The Mesa Arts Center(MAC) features 4 theatres that range in size from the smaller 98 seat Farnsworth Studio Theatre to the larger Ikeda Theatre that seats 1,600, along with five art galleries and 14 studios and classrooms.
The 2010 “Arts Organization of the Year”
The Arts & Business Council of Greater Phoenix named the Mesa Arts Center the 2010 Arts Organization of the Year.
Satellite view of Mesa Arts Center
The goal of the Mesa Arts Center is to encourage visitors to learn about and appreciate, participate in, and experience the arts.
A wide range of live performances are offered in 4 theatres including the 98 seat Farnsworth Studio theatre, the Nesbitt/Elliot Playhouse, the Virginia G. Piper Repertory theatre, and the Ikeda 
Theatre. Patrons enjoy a variety of concerts, theatre, music, and dance in these world class facilities througout the year. Award winning productions include Broadway, musicals, comedy, and family entertainment.
The Contemporary Arts are showcased in 5 galleries. Besides the exhibitions of emerging and internationally known artists, visitors can also enjoy lectures and art workshops by artists and art professionals. On the first Sunday of each month, Target sponsors “3 for Free” at the Mesa Contemporary Arts. It begins with a musical performance in the courtyard at noon followed by free admission to the galleries at 1 pm. This lasts until May 1, 2011.
For those who want to get involved, Mesa Arts Center excels at arts education by offering classes such classes as glass blowing, photography, guitar, printmaking, jewelry, sculpture, music, drama, dancing, ballet, engraving,ceramics, and many, many more in 14 different studios.
Nestled in historic downtown Mesa where many buildings were built half a century ago, the Mesa Arts Center is a world class facility that offers the most comprehensive and diverse art experience in the entire Phoenix valley. Any east valley residents in Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale or surrounding areas must put this on their list of places to visit. There is definitely something for everyone.
Keep up with what is going on at the MAC by visiting the Mesa Arts Center blog or following them on twitter.
