Museums, Curators & Cultural Partners to Lead Panel Discussions, Q&A Sessions, Educational Programming & More at Four-Day Art Fair
Scottsdale Art Week presented by Scottsdale Ferrari, taking place March 19–22, 2026, at WestWorld of Scottsdale, will welcome 120 international galleries and include a curated series of panel discussions and conversations that bring together museum directors, curators, artists, scholars, art professionals and market specialists. These dialogues explore the ideas, practices and perspectives shaping the art world today, bridging institutional insight, creative vision and market expertise in a setting that encourages both reflection and discovery.
The programming unfolds within the Cultural Programming Theatre, an intentionally designed space situated at the heart of the fair at WestWorld, a venue known for hosting the world-famous Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction. This forum serves as a gathering place for thoughtful exchange, offering audiences the opportunity to engage with leading voices in art and culture while immersed in the energy of the art fair.
Topics range from curatorial and artistic practice to collecting, photography, trends in the global contemporary art market, LatinX art, Indigenous contemporary art, the relationship between art and design, Western art, and the ever-evolving art market. By situating these conversations within the fair, Scottsdale Art Week creates a seamless experience in which intellectual engagement complements the show, enhancing both context and connection.
In collaboration with distinguished cultural partners—including Phoenix Art Museum, Arizona State University Art Museum, the Heard Museum, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, the Center for Creative Programming Theatre reflects Scottsdale Art Week’s commitment to excellence, education and cultural leadership.
All tickets include access to Scottsdale Art Week’s daily cultural programming at the fair from Friday, March 20, through Sunday, March 22. While organizers will unveil additional details in the coming weeks, here’s an early look at what to expect.
The schedule is subject to change, so please visit ScottsdaleArtWeek.com for the most up-to-date information.
Friday, March 20, 2026:
Indigenous Representation in American Institutions
Join curators of Native American art from leading institutions, including the Heard Museum’s David Roche and the Denver Art Museum’s John Luchavic, to discuss the current state of collecting, exhibiting and presenting contemporary Native art in American museums.
In Conversation: Cara Romero and Emilia Mickevicius
Cara Romero
Join leading contemporary photographer Cara Romero, Scottsdale Art Week’s Indigenous Artist of the Year, and curator Emilia Mickevicius for an exciting behind-the-scenes look at Romero’s exhibition “Panûpünüwügai
Emilia Mickevicius, Ph.D. Norton
Family Assistant Curator of Photography at Phoenix Art Museum and Center for Creative Photography (Living Light).” Romero and Mickevicius will discuss bringing the show to life at Phoenix Art Museum and the centrality of collaboration in Romero’s practice.
Exploring the Intersection of Art + Design
This dynamic panel discussion explores the relationship between art and design and how the two disciplines inform and elevate one another. Moderated by Phoenix Home & Garden Editor-in-Chief John Roark, the conversation brings together leading architects, designers and tastemakers to examine how art and design work in unison to shape thoughtful, engaging environments.
Inside the Studio with Naomi and Tyler Glasses
Step inside the studio of Diné weavers Naiomi and Tyler Glasses, who create textiles inspired by the traditions of their grandmother. The Arizona-based siblings have been sought out by national brands across the country, with Naiomi serving as the first-ever artist in residence for Ralph Lauren and the pair recently teaming up on their second collaboration with Lauren, a collection for the home.
Saturday, March 21, 2026:
Trends in the International Contemporary Art Market
Explore the current state and trends shaping the international contemporary art market alongside a panel of esteemed global art professionals, including Gallerist Phillip Blond of Blond Contemporary.
In Conversation: ASU Art Museum Director Miki Garcia with the Ford Foundation’s Rocio Aranda-Alvarado
Join ASU Art Museum Director Miki Garcia as she discusses “A Handbook of LatinX Art” with the book’s co-editor Rocio Aranda-Alvarado, who is part of the Creativity and Free Expression team at the Ford Foundation. The book is the first anthology to examine the rich, complex and often overlooked contributions LatinX artists have made to art in the United States. It brings together texts by artists, critics and scholars, reflecting the diversity of Latinx experiences across the nation, from the West Coast and the Mexico border to the East Coast.
Sunday, March 22, 2026:
The Western Art Market Today
Gain insight into the current state of the Western art market with American and Western art expert Alissa Ford of Heritage Auctions as she discusses recent trends, market shifts and factors influencing collecting today.
Art Collection Care and Preservation
Gain inside knowledge from leading art professionals, including Art Solutions and Installations’ Scott Talbot, on caring for and preserving art collections, with insight from appraisers, art handlers, installers and other industry experts.
“Our cultural programming was a highlight of last year’s inaugural event, and we’re building on that momentum with an expanded lineup of talks, events and immersive experiences designed to spark meaningful dialogue and create lasting moments well beyond the gallery floor,” said Scottsdale Art Week Director Amy Gause. “As the largest new American art fair in decades, we want visitors to leave with fresh perspectives, new industry connections and a deeper appreciation for the artists, galleries, museums and cultural partners that make Scottsdale Art Week so dynamic.”
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Benefiting Phoenix Art Museum, the Opening Night Vernissage grants guests exclusive access to view and acquire works ahead of the general public and will feature a fashion presentation of wearable art courtesy of Galina Mihaleva, of Arizona State University’s FIDM. Attendees will also see several arts industry leaders receive prestigious awards during the celebration.
Scottsdale Art Week starts at a time when the region shows its best side, with ideal weather, comfortable temperatures and seasonal events like MLB spring training making March one of the best months of the year to visit the city. And with the Phoenix metro area, and, specifically, Scottsdale, now surpassing Austin, Texas, as the nation’s fastest-growing city for millionaires, the city serves as a prime destination for artists and gallerists looking to showcase their works in front of an international audience with a strong appetite for collecting.
For more about Scottsdale Art Week 2026 or to purchase tickets, visit ScottsdaleArtWeek.com or follow developments on Facebook, Instagram and X.