Arizona Commission on the Arts

This past weekend, Arts Commission Senior Programs Coordinator Delia Ibañez set up a table at the @sedonafilmfestival Theater during the annual Piano on the Rocks International Festival in Sedona! Thanks to our hosts and everyone who stopped by the table to learn more about the Arizona Commission on the Arts!

The Arizona Commission on the Arts is proud to share its new strategic plan for 2027-2031! Grow, Sustain, & Thrive is the culmination of a year-long public input and planning process that engaged more than 1,000 Arizonans from communities across the state. You can review the plan for yourself at https://azarts.gov/strategic-plan/ You can also join us online for an info-packed webinar and Q&A session on Wednesday, May 13, from 2:00 to 3:00 pm. Registration link in bio.

Let's hear it for 2026 Arizona Poetry Out Loud State Champion Liam McLaughlin of Gary K. Herberger Young Scholars Academy! Yesterday, Liam represented the state in the semi-finals of the national poetry recitation competition in Washington, DC, ultimately progressing to the final round! Photo © James Kegley, courtesy the @neaarts

We are now accepting applications for Artist Opportunity Grants. Artist Opportunity Grants (AOGs) provide up to $1,500 to help Arizona artists take advantage of unique opportunities to... - introduce their work to new audiences - develop new skills - build their artistic careers Apply by June 11 for activities taking place between July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027. Link in bio.

Please join us in welcoming Jacob Buttry, the upcoming Artist in Residence at Oracle State Park! Jacob brings a ton of unique creativity to the park with his experience as a theatre artist, facilitator, and educator guided by compassion and connection. In Jacob’s experience he has been a director, playwright, performer, intimacy director, dramaturg, and sound designer. However, he focuses most on community-based theatre and imagination new works! As part of the residency, Jacob will be hosting several events and workshops! We hope to see you at some of these events to welcome him and support his work. See event info below or check out our website for more information: Voiceover Acting Workshop Sunday April 26th, 1-2P.M. Transform footage of the park using your voice and a little creativity! Learn from resident artist Jacob Buttry about techniques for voiceover acting, try these ideas yourself with a script, and work together as a group to add your voices to a video of the park. Puzzle Room Friday May 1st, 1-2P.M. Work together to solve puzzles in this interactive, escape-room like experience! You will learn about Oracle State Park and follow a story with characters created by resident artist Jacob Buttry based on his experiences in the park. Artist Open Studio Sunday May 3rd, 11A.M.-1:30P.M. During this Open Studio you will have a chance to meet Jacob and see his process of writing, performing, and recording theatre based on his experience at Oracle State Park. Jacob will also have a Work In Progress Showing on Saturday May 9th to show off the in-progress play that Jacob is creating based on his experience as the Artist in Residence at Oracle State Park. [📸: Photos 1 and 4 by Jack Kapple, Photo 2 by Devon Christopher Adams courtesy of Mesa Encore Theatre, and Photo 3 by Edna Vihel Arts Center]

Applications for Creative Capacity Grants, Festival Grants, Lifelong Arts Engagement Grants, and Youth Arts Engagement Grants are due today, April 16, by 11:59 pm! Staff are available to answer questions and offer technical assistance until 5:00 pm.

Reminder: The application deadline for Creative Capacity Grants, Festival Grants, Youth Arts Engagement Grants, and Lifelong Arts Engagement Grants is this Thursday, April 16! Arts Commission staff are standing by from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm through Thursday to answer your questions, but don't wait until the last minute or it may be too late!

Final day to apply! azarts.gov

The Arizona Commission on the Arts is now accepting applications for Creative Youth Grants (CYGs). Designed by and for young artists, CYGs support Arizonans, ages 12-17, as they develop new skills or advance their artistic practice outside the traditional school day. This may include… - private lessons, -attending a workshop, or - buying supplies and equipment. Applicants can request between $250 and $500 based on eligible expenses. Link in bio

We are excited to announce that Gabriela Muñoz will be (re)joining the Arizona Commission on the Arts team as Director of Grants! Muñoz will leave her current position with the Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona later this month in advance of taking on her new role on April 6, 2026. Welcome back, Gabriela!

Laura Tohe, Arizona's poet Laureate, will present a poetry workshop at @campverdelibrary on Thursday, March 26, 2026. All ages and experience levels are welcome to participate! Event Details Location: Camp Verde Community Library, 130 Black Bridge Rd, Camp Verde Date/Time: Thursday, March 26, 2026, 10:00 – 11:30 am

This March the Arizona Commission on the Arts is coming to Verde Valley! Residents of the region will have multiple opportunities to engage with Arts Commission staff and board members March 25-26, 2026. Open Office Hours at Prescott Public Library Wednesday, March 25, 3:00-5:00 pm Arts Commission staff will be at Prescott Public Library on Wednesday, March 25. Come by, say hi, and let’s talk about how the Arizona Commission on the Arts can help you! Quarterly Board Meeting Verde Valley Archaeology Center & Museum Thursday, March 26, 1:00 – 4:00 pm The Arizona Commission on the Arts will convene for its quarterly board meeting in Camp Verde. These meetings are always open to the public. Arts Community Reception Thursday, March 26, 4:30 – 6:30 pm Verde Valley Archaeology Center & Museum Join us for an evening of art, discovery, food, and conversation! The Arizona Commission on the Arts and our hosts at the Verde Valley Archaeology Center invite art makers and partakers from throughout the region to join us for this casual reception. Hors d’oeuvres, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided by Verde Valley Archaeology Center & Museum. During the evening, museum docents will also be available to lead guided tours of the galleries. Members of the Arts Commission’s staff and board will also be in attendance. RSVP at /ev/reg/4u4t8fw