I love art. Art is an amazing way to express yourself, your creativity, your inner world, and your worldviews. Not only is art a great tool for discovering more of yourself but it's also a beautiful way to connect with others and learn from each other.
Art museums are amazing places to visit because you get to learn so much about the inner worlds of people you've perhaps never even met. Through their work, you get to explore the most intricate parts of the human mind.
If you're in Tucson, Arizona, for whatever reason - you're a local, a tourist or you're just passing by - don't hesitate to visit some of the art museums mentioned below.
Let's have a look at the two great art museums you can find in Tucson.
Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block
First on the list is the Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block, which comprises many different houses, namely Stevens/Duffield House, Romero House, Fish House, La Casa Cordova and J. Knox Corbett House. All houses have their own historic value worth exploring.
The museum was first established in 1924 and back then, it was called the Tucson Fine Arts Association. Apart from the historic houses, the museum offers many exhibitions that center around for example Arts of the American West, Art of Latin America, Asian Art, and many more.
The vision and mission of the museum are described on the official website:
"The Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block, a regional museum and center for artistic inquiry and appreciation, seeks to inspire dynamic human experiences, create a passion for the visual arts and celebrate Southern Arizona’s rich and diverse culture. The Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block connects art to life through meaningful and engaging experiences that inspire discovery, spark creativity and promote cultural understanding."
At the time of writing this article (17th May 2021), the current exhibitions are for example "Pictures of Hope" or "Indigenous Arts | Arte Indígena".
Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block is open Thursday to Sunday from 10 AM until 5 PM. The ticket price is 12 dollars per adult, 10 dollars per senior 65+, and 7 dollars per college student or child. If you're interested in visiting the museum located right in Tucson, head to 140 North Main Avenue in Tucson.
Tucson Desert Art Museum
The second art museum worth visiting in Tucson is the Tucson Desert Art Museum, which opened in 2013 and was founded by James E. Conley, Jr..
The mission of the Tucson Desert Art Museum is described on their website thus:
"Our mission is to display art and artifacts of the Desert Southwest and surrounding regions, and educate our guests about the history, cultures, and art of the region. The Museum includes 25,000 square feet of exhibit space, classrooms, meeting and auditorium space and a library."
The motto of the museum is to apparently "visualize history through art", which is why you can find so many southwestern artifacts and works of art there. One of the main things being displayed is the Navajo and Hopi pre-1940s textiles.
At the moment (17th May 2021), some of the current exhibitions in the museum include "All the Single Ladies: Women Pioneers of the American West" or "Buffalo Soldiers: The 10th Cavalry Regiment Told Through the Art of David Laughlin (1928 - 2020)".
The opening hours during COVID-19 are: Wednesday to Friday (10 AM till 2 PM) and Saturday (9 AM till noon). The price of the ticket is 10 dollars per adult, 8 dollars per senior, 6 dollars per student, and 4 dollars per child. The Tucson Desert Art Museum can be found at 7000 E Tanque Verde Road in Tucson.
Final Thoughts
Both the Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block and the Tucson Desert Art Museum are wonderful places that can broaden your knowledge of art and the region, as well as enrich your inner world with creativity and awe.
If these museums have sparked your interest, don't hesitate to visit!