The Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance specializes in building dynamic, diverse and creative business and arts partnerships. We collaborate with over 20 sectors to build meaningful programming that is constantly evolving the way we invest in the local Creative Sector.
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Businesses in every sector can unlock new pathways to innovation and achieve both internal and external goals by investing in cultural programming. Partnering with local artists and cultural organizations sparks creativity, drives development, and strengthens relevance in today’s rapidly changing world.
These collaborations foster essential skills, adaptability, and leadership, building sustainable communities where people want to live, work, and grow. At SAACA, our programs demonstrate how integrating the arts into business strategies leads to healthier businesses and more vibrant communities. Our vision is simple: inspire Arizona’s business community to team up with the arts. When businesses invest in employee led creative programs, and partner with local artists and cultural organizations, they spark innovation, create new opportunities, and drive development in our creative sectors. These partnerships don’t create places where people want to live, work, and grow. In today’s rapidly changing business world, companies need talent that can adapt and thrive.
We believe that encouraging creative thinking and leveraging artistic expression through arts and business partnerships is key to building healthy businesses and vibrant communities. SAACA’s innovative programs with diverse businesses—from healthcare and banking to retail and tourism—showcase the impact of these collaborations. |
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HOW BUSINESSES ARE PARTNERING WITH SAACA
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Our custom-designed programs can service a range of opportunities and challenges commonly sought after by our business partners.
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WHAT WE KNOW TO BE TRUE
How do arts and businesses make great partners?
By fostering these partnerships, we’re not just enriching the arts—we’re building a brighter, more innovative future for everyone.
- Employees: 89% of executives agree that creativity is a top skill for today’s workforce.
- Company: 69% of companies recognized as a 'best place to work' foster creativity and integrate arts programming.
- Community: 76% of artists and creative workers say their artistic practice has been used to boost morale, create community cohesion, or lighten the experience of community members during crises like COVID-19.
- Diversity & Empathy: 73% of people agree that the arts help them understand other cultures better.
By fostering these partnerships, we’re not just enriching the arts—we’re building a brighter, more innovative future for everyone.
ARTS & BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS HIGHLIGHTS
ROCHE & SAACA
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For over 14 years, the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance (SAACA) has proudly partnered with Roche, one of the world’s largest biotech companies and a leader in in-vitro diagnostics.
Together, we've developed a series of impactful and diverse programs that have transformed our community. Our collaboration has given rise to Southern Arizona's largest community-based gallery space, featuring mission-focused exhibitions on cancer awareness, employee art programs, classes, community engagement projects, and integrated public art initiatives. These programs have reached Roche sites worldwide, showcasing over 1,000 original artworks from local and national artists, as well as Roche employees. This partnership has not only provided a vital outlet for creativity and inspiration but has also positioned Roche as a leader in integrating arts and culture into the workplace. Through this innovative collaboration, Roche has inspired and engaged its employees, fostered creative thought leadership in healthcare, and enhanced the quality of life for its entire community. |
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TUCSON MALL & SAACA
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Since 2009, SAACA and General Growth Properties (now Brookfield Properties) have been driving an extraordinary partnership that has revolutionized community engagement through a vibrant series of events and programs. From summer art festivals and art auctions to live music concerts, fashion shows, holiday programs, and stunning mural and sculpture installations, this collaboration has consistently brought art to life in dynamic ways.
But the partnership reached new heights in 2018 when SAACA and GGP envisioned a transformative space within the Tucson Mall. This vision culminated in the creation of the Catalyst Arts and Maker Space, a project that redefined the potential of community spaces. After years of exploration, community outreach, and ideation, Brookfield Properties recognized the profound impact this space could have and underwrote the project, making a significant investment in its long-term success. Catalyst is not just a space; it’s a vibrant hub of creativity and collaboration. Spanning over 14,000 square feet, it offers flexible meeting, event, classroom, and production spaces. It’s a place where artists, creatives, educators, teams, and cross-sector organizations come together to connect, celebrate, and collaborate. Catalyst uplifts sustainable collaboration and fosters collective impact, embodying a mission of connection and community building. Since opening in 2019, Catalyst has welcomed over 4,000 community members and collaborated with more than 30 nonprofit organizations. It has become a beacon of innovation, hosting countless educational and artist-in-residency programs, and pioneering new ways for organizations to work together. This partnership between SAACA and Brookfield Properties exemplifies the transformative power of art and business collaboration, creating a lasting impact that strengthens and enriches our community. |
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VESTAR PROPERTIES & SAACA
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For the past decade, the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance (SAACA) has proudly partnered with Vestar Properties to transform their commercial centers into vibrant hubs of arts and culture. At properties such as Westgate (Glendale, AZ), Tempe Marketplace (Tempe, AZ), Desert Ridge (Scottsdale, AZ), and Oro Valley Marketplace (Oro Valley, AZ), our collaboration has brought innovative projects to life, branding these spaces as community connectors through the power of art.
Our partnership has introduced a wide array of programs that not only support artists but also inspire and engage the community. We've hosted cultural music presentations, chalk art festivals, large-scale arts and culture festivals, culinary events, and the enchanting Flower Bomb Festival. By utilizing vacant spaces, we've collaborated with artists to create temporary and permanent cultural and mural installations, beautifying these centers and infusing them with creativity. Additionally, our art markets and integrated programs have strengthened the community brand and enhanced the overall experience at each Vestar property. Through these initiatives, SAACA and Vestar Properties have fostered a deeper connection between the arts and the community, creating dynamic environments where people can gather, celebrate, and be inspired. Together, we continue to build a stronger, more vibrant community where arts and culture thrive. |
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CAPTRUST & SAACA
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The Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance (SAACA), in partnership with the Phoenix offices of CAPTRUST designed a custom gallery space that showcased local emerging artists, clients and local artists.
This collaborative community and employee art space was designed to enrich the workplace environment, making art as integral to the business setting as it is to personal spaces. By curating a gallery that showcases community and employee art, CAPTRUST enhances its unique style, spirit, and character, creating an inviting and inspiring atmosphere for employees, partners, and clients. This custom Arts and Business Partnership exemplifies how the intersection of art and business can drive community engagement, foster creativity, and enhance the overall employee experience. It demonstrates that when arts and business collaborate, communities thrive, proving that art has the power to transform spaces and lives, both personally and professionally. |
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PARK PLACE & SAACA
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The Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance (SAACA) and Park Place have forged a dynamic partnership, placing arts at the heart of their business approach. Together, they have transformed Park Place into a vibrant cultural hub through a series of innovative programs.
The Park Place Chalk Art Festival, Guitar Festival, childnre's club, and large-scale art and mural installations have brought color and creativity to the mall. The Delightful Diversions program employed artists to perform year-round, adding a lively and artistic ambiance. Ongoing concert series, culinary programs, and adaptive reuse of vacant spaces further enriched the experience, making Park Place a thriving center where art and business seamlessly intertwine to inspire and engage the community. |
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cox communications & saaca
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SAACA and Cox Communications teamed up to bring the magic of film to our community with the Cox Communications Movies in the Park program.
SAACA also partnered with Cox Communications to create a community gallery space at Cox's Tucson headquarters to showcase local artists' work. This gallery adds a unique touch to the office, making it an inspiring place for employees, partners, and clients. By blending art and business, this partnership not only boosts community engagement and creativity but also shows how powerful it is when companies and the arts come together. When art meets business, everyone benefits, and communities thrive. |
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BUILDING A CUSTOMIZED PROGRAM
To learn more about the hundreds of programs, events and community outreach projects that SAACA has created in collaboration with local businesses, contact Kate Marquez at (520) 240-2766, [email protected]