Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art

Focused on showcasing local and international collections of modern art, architecture and design from the 1950s onwards, the remit of the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art is to educate, inspire and engage. Founded in 1999, it has consistently attracted a variety of visitors who come to experience the creativity and imagination of its many temporary and permanent exhibitions.The museum’s collection will draw you in but the exterior of the building is also worthy of your attention and appreciation. A former cinema, the structure was completely renovated by the award-winning architect Will Bruder. Before you cross the threshold, take a moment to study the astonishing grey chrome façade. This impressive design seeks to replicate the fading shadows left by the Arizona sun on the nearby McDowell mountain range. As you walk around, gaze up at the soft curve of galvanised steel which has been expertly designed to reflect the ever-changing nuances of the desert sky.Once inside, browse through the five main galleries that thoughtfully showcase a selection of interesting and varied exhibitions. The bright and airy spaces are a far cry from their former incarnations as dark cinemas. However, while the subject matter may have shifted somewhat from traditional celluloid to contemporary art, the space still draws the crowds.If you’re visiting the museum on a Friday or Saturday, pop into the SMoCA Lounge. This intimate space is a platform for writers and performers to share personal poetry, stories and music, encouraging cultural discourse and debate.Finally, make sure you stop by the Knight Rise Skyspace – an engaging exhibition by internationally acclaimed artist, James Turrell. In this space, contemplate your perceptions of light and colour as you gaze at the sky through a small hole in the ceiling.The museum is a mere thirty-minute drive from the city centre and with free guided tours every Thursday, this really should be at the top of your cultural to-do list.