Photo Credit: PHOENIX Magazine
Arizona’s most ambitious cultural event is returning for its second year, and it’s already shaping up to be bigger and better than its blockbuster debut. Scottsdale Art Week, presented by Scottsdale Ferrari, returns to WestWorld of Scottsdale March 19-22, 2026, and in conjunction with the myriad art galleries in Old Town is helping cement Scottsdale’s position as a premier arts destination in all of the western United States.
The inaugural 2025 edition set the bar remarkably high, drawing 14,000 attendees and 106 galleries from nine countries to the iconic WestWorld venue. The four-day extravaganza generated millions in art sales while showcasing everything from contemporary masterworks to powerful Indigenous art, alongside fashion shows, cultural performances, and immersive installations that transformed the 120,000-square-foot space into a world-class art destination.
For Scottsdale, this event represents far more than another addition to the calendar. It positions the city alongside the nation’s premier art markets and reinforces the Southwest’s growing reputation as a cultural powerhouse. As co-owner Trey Brennen notes, Scottsdale already knows how to host world-class events: the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction, the WM Phoenix Open, the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show, and MLB spring training all draw massive crowds. Scottsdale Art Week was designed to claim that same marquee status for the visual arts.
The event also benefits from strengthened partnerships with Arizona’s leading cultural institutions. Phoenix Art Museum, the Heard Museum, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, ASU Art Museum, and the Center for Creative Photography are all continuing their collaboration, while organizers are actively courting additional out-of-state arts organizations to expand the fair’s national reach.
Amy Gause, who serves as director for the 2026 edition, emphasized that metropolitan Phoenix’s status as the nation’s fifth-largest city demands an art event of this caliber. The region boasts a sophisticated collector base and vibrant gallery scene that deserves international recognition, and Scottsdale Art Week delivers exactly that platform.
The fair kicks off with an elegant opening night Vernissage on Thursday, March 19, from 6 to 9 PM, followed by full days of exhibitions Friday through Sunday. With many 2025 exhibitors already committed to returning and booth space filling rapidly, early ticket purchases are recommended.
For art lovers, collectors, and anyone who appreciates world-class cultural events, Scottsdale Art Week has quickly established itself as a must-attend destination that showcases the very best of contemporary art against the stunning backdrop of the Sonoran Desert, and is quickly becoming an integral aspect of the positioning of the city of Scottsdale as a regional mecca for culture.