The 2016-17 season at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts achieved 19 sold-out performances in a wide range of genres, programs and artists. Highlights included performances by The Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Grammy® Award-winning singer-songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter and the world’s foremost all-male comic ballet company, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo. The 2016-17 Discovery Series offered an in-depth exploration of French culture throughout the season, including live main-stage performances, films, workshops and culinary experiences.
SMoCA presented seven original exhibitions in 2016-17, which included works by 159 artists from 17 countries and the premiere of 37 new artworks. It also acquired four new works for the permanent collection and produced 63 public programs related to exhibitions.
The runaway success of SMoCA’s year was its summer exhibition, Ocean of Light: Submergence, by the UK-based collective Squidsoup. During its five months at SMoCA, the exhibition broke attendance records and drove record-breaking numbers on all social media platforms.
HYBYCOZO by Yelena Filipchek and Serge Beaulieu at Canal Convergence 2017. Photo: Sean Deckert.
The 2016-2017 fiscal year saw the installation of two permanent artworks and 18 temporary public art installations throughout the City of Scottsdale. In addition to the public art installations, Scottsdale Public Art presented the Creative Residency program at the Scottsdale Livery, engaging art exhibitions at Scottsdale’s Public libraries and the annual interactive art event, Canal Convergence I Water + Art + Light, at the Scottsdale Waterfront.
Madison Elementary preschool students create sculpture as part of Art Start. Photo: Katie Boyle
In fiscal 2016-2017, a total of 51,232 individuals were impacted by Scottsdale Arts’ Education & Outreach programs, events and exhibitions, which resulted in a 38 percent increase in attendance. The department also attained a 70 percent increase in engagement with older adults through its Creative Aging programs.
SMoCA Mix: TECH Sublime held May 6, 2017, to support the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. Photo: Chris Loomis
Community Value and Attendance
In fiscal 2016-2017, Scottsdale Arts presented and hosted 2,363 events, serving 441,538 patrons. See chart and attendance figures.
Concept to Completion: Western Cast Iron Arts Alliance Juried Exhibition of Cast Iron Sculpture opening reception at the Gallery @ the Libary, Scottsdale Civic Center Photo: Sean Deckert.
