SAACA
  • ABOUT
    • ABOUT US
    • EQUITABLE OUTREACH
    • TEAM CONTACTS
    • SAACA BOARD LEADERSHIP
  • GET INVOLVED & SUPPORT
    • SUPPORT OUR WORK - DONORS & PARTNERSHIPS
    • CURRENT PARTNERS, DONORS & SPONSORS
    • SPONSOR A PROGRAM OR EVENT
    • VOLUNTEER
    • INTERN
    • ARTIST & VENDOR APPLICATIONS
  • EVENTS & FESTIVALS
    • CALENDAR OF EVENTS
    • EVENT & EXHIBITOR APPLICATIONS
    • ART & MUSIC FESTIVALS >
      • CRUISE, BBQ & BLUES
      • DESERT RIDGE MUSIC & MURALS
      • DOWNTOWN GLENDALE ARTS & CULTURE FEST
      • LA ENCANTADA FINE ART FESTIVAL
      • SAHUARITA ART ON THE LAKE FESTIVAL
      • SKY ISLANDS FALL ARTISAN MARKET
      • ORO VALLEY FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS & HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING CELEBRATION
      • ORO VALLEY FALL ARTISAN MARKET
      • ORO VALLEY SPRING FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
      • TEMPE ART BLOCK PARTY
      • TUCSON FOLK FESTIVAL
    • CULINARY EVENTS >
      • DEVOUR CULINARY CLASSIC
      • SALSA, TEQUILA & TACO CHALLENGE
      • SAVOR FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL
      • WORLD MARGARITA CHAMPIONSHIP
    • LIVE MUSIC >
      • LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOOKOUT
      • ORO VALLEY CONCERT SERIES
      • RIVERFRONT PARK CONCERT SERIES
  • ART PROGRAMS & COLLABORATIONS
    • ARTIST OPPORTUNITIES - CALL TO ARTIST LISTINGS
    • SAHUARITA CAPTURING COMMUNITY PHOTO CONTEST
    • ORO VALLEY PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION
    • PUBLIC ART IN ORO VALLEY, AZ
    • PUBLIC ART IN SAHUARITA, AZ
    • VENTANA GALLERY & ART EXHIBITIONS AT ROCHE >
      • UNCOMMON KNOWLEDGE ART EXHIBITION
      • 2023 ROCHE CULTURE LENS PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION
      • 2022 ROCHE CELEBRATING MOMENTS PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION
      • 2021 ROCHE LUNG CANCER AWARENESS EXHIBITION
    • CREATIVE AGING AT THE FOUNTAINS
    • DIGITAL ART PROGRAMS >
      • AARP CELEBRATING ARTISTS VIDEO SERIES
      • SLOW FOOD COOKING CLASSES WITH SLOW FOOD
    • UNDERCOVER ARTS MAGAZINE
    • TRANSPORTATION ART BY YOUTH 2022 >
      • Gila Monster
      • Glowing Scorpions
      • Prickly Pear Everywhere
  • CATALYST CREATIVE COLLECTIVE

CATALYST CREATIVE COLLECTIVE PARTNERS

A non-profit community space fueled by collaboration, cooperation, and connection
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The CATALYST Creative Collective is a dynamic and inclusive space that reflects the essence of the hundreds of artists, creatives, community members, and nonprofit organizations that come together at CATALYST to collaborate and build shared value.
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Current CATALYST partners include digital creators, culinary-based businesses, visual and performing artists, business networking groups, and nonprofit organizations such as the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra, Esperanza Dance Project, Tucson Youth Music, and the educational nonprofit Waters Center for Systems Thinking.   
JOIN THE COLLECTIVE

CURRENT CATALYST CREATIVE COLLECTVE PARTNERS

SOUTHERN ARIZONA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

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Founded in 1979, the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra is a vital community resource that unites performers and audiences through a passion for music. The orchestra presents world premieres, seldom-performed treasures and classical gems.

Mission
The Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra Association seeks to nurture and inspire audiences and artists alike through the joy of classical music. Serving our Southern Arizona community as well as connecting to the international music community at large, we create unique, vibrant and accessible experiences that celebrate the tradition and future of classical music in its many forms. We invite you to help our orchestra grow. We welcome musicians, patrons, volunteers, donors and board advisors.

ART MIXER

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Art Mixer is a unique step-by-step painting experience located right here in CATALYST Creative Collective, as well as offering mobile painting experiences across the metro Tucson area.  Specializing in creative gatherings like birthday parties, bachelorette parties, singles mixers, and family gatherings, you can choose a step-by-step painting project on canvas, wood, wine glasses, or paint-and-take ceramics. Classes are available for ages 6 and up. Ages 21+ can BYOB for paint-and-sip sessions in CATALYST. Make an appointment today and have some fun with Art Mixer! 

WATER CENTER FOR SYSTEMS THINKING

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From California to Liberia, Idaho to Honduras, STEMAZing Systems Thinking brings its effective teacher professional development to educators around the world. Director DaNel Hogan brings an incredible amount of passion, humor, and scientific expertise to the community and we feel very lucky to have her energy in CATALYST. Her career began teaching physics for nearly a decade at Catalina Foothills High School.  She served as an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow at the U.S. Department of Energy in Washington, DC before founding The STEMAZing Project for the Pima County School Superintendent's Office. 
DaNel has extensive experience organizing and participating in STEM initiatives at the local, state, and national levels.  Including many workshops that have happened right here in CATALYST!
In her work with The Waters Center for Systems Thinking, Danel is excited to be offering 100 K-12 teachers the opportunity to participate in STEMAZing Systems Thinking Cohorts again this coming school year. This work is part of ASU's Arizona STEM Acceleration Project.

ESPERANZA DANCE PROJECT

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Esperanza Dance Project is a community-based collaboration that uses a multimedia dance performance to educate about the issue of childhood sexual trauma and deliver a message of hope, strength and empowerment. Company members perform in high schools, at community events, and across Arizona and rehearse every Monday and Thursday night in CATALYST. 

MISSION
Empowering survivors of childhood sexual trauma by eradicating stigma and secrecy while inspiring hope for healing through our impactful dance performance, discussions, and advocacy.​

TUCSON YOUTH MUSIC

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Tucson Youth Music is a nonprofit music center answering the call for music education. We offer music lessons free of charge to underserved youth. Qualifying students are provided with group and/or private instruction as appropriate, music books, necessary supplies, and loaner instruments, all at no charge. Students learn to play an instrument, as well as proper technique, repertoire, sight-reading, music theory, ear-training, performance, improvisation, and music appreciation. ​TYMC is fortunate to be affiliated with music instructors who are musicians and educators of the highest caliber. Our teachers are accomplished professionals in their respective fields, bringing compassion and understanding to their lesson plans and interactions with our students.

HUMBLE BOARD

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Humble Board creates grazing tables, charcuterie & more for weddings or any occasion. Founder and and Tucson-native Emili Krzyzanowski started out making boards for her friends parties, family weddings, and small gatherings. Quickly she decided she wanted to share this with everyone. Her business is now thriving, and she provides beautifully arranged boards for weddings, corporate events, birthdays, showers & more.  Find out more and order a board today at https://www.humbleboard.com/.

MR ICE GUY

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Locally made Italian Ice right here in the CATALYST kitchen!
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IGNACIO GARCIA - ARTIST

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When Ignacio Garcia was a 4-year-old preschool student he would draw pictures of Spiderman’s face. It was easy to do, and he liked the attention. Nowadays, his artwork reflects border life, pop culture and the social changes currently sweeping the nation. It covers the surface of tall buildings and shows Garcia's decades of experience as an artist.
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His work utilizes multiple mediums and spans the whole of Southwestern culture. Garcia can often be found—paintbrush in hand—crafting his next collection inside the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance’s Catalyst Arts & Maker Space located in the Tucson Mall.

BNI

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We are the world’s leading business referral organization supporting 300,000 Member businesses in over 75 countries worldwide. BNI Platinum Performers and BNI Sunrise Success chapters meet in CATALYST weekly.


CONTINUING PARTNER HIGHLIGHTS

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Red Herring Puppets
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Ben's Bells
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Bookmans
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Plant Based Potential

A LEGACY OF SUPPORT

BOB & VIVIAN WEEDE MUSIC & DIGITAL ARTS STUDIO​
​Bob & Vivian Weede are true disciples of the arts. As co-founder of the Greater Oro Valley Arts Council (GOVAC), Bob Weede believes in the trans-formative power and purpose of the role arts and culture play in a community. As lifelong supporters of music and arts education, it is our honor to dedicate the CATALYST Music & Digital Art Studio to Bob & Vivian Weede. Their firm belief, and tenacious support for the arts were truly the founding catalyst behind SAACA's drive to change the community we serve.
 
Philanthropy, leadership, and service barely touch the surface of that which describes what Bob & Vivian Weede have done for, and continue to do for the arts in Southern Arizona. Their life-long support for the arts are an inspiration to us all. 
DON LURIA & DONNA NORDIN TEACHING KITCHEN
In 1981, Donald Luria retired from government work in Washington D.C. having served as a Consultant to the Assistant Secretary of Policy Development & Research at HUD, then as Chief, Center for Applied User Research at the Bureau of the Census and as Director of Research, Executive Office of the Mayor, Washington, DC. He moved to Tucson, Arizona (not knowing a single person) bought the Tasting Spoon Cooking School and launched a culinary career. He then started Gourmet to Go as a catering company and gourmet take out to-go.
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After participating and donating food to the Tucson Festival Society, Tucson Museum of Art and the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, he was asked to join their Boards of Directors.  With a dedicated passion for community, culinary arts and giving back, Don has served on over 25 area non-profit Boards, and is fully committed to moving Southern Arizona forward. Many of the Board leadership roles were related to his interest in expanding Tucson’s culinary field.

He founded the Tucson Originals Restaurants and the Tucson Culinary Foundation and notably served on the Board of Tucson Meet Yourself, Native Seeds/SEARCH and Local First Arizona. He was Board Chair and then President of the Council of Independent Restaurants in America. 

Donna Nordin, whose teaching and culinary career began in San Francisco, is the former owner/chef of Terra Cotta in Tucson, Arizona. Under Donna’s culinary guidance for 23 years, Café Terra Cotta was one of Tucson’s most popular restaurants. This success came from her creative merging of French culinary techniques with the flavors of the American Southwest.
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Donna studied at Le Cordon Bleu and Lenôtre Pastry School in Paris. Donna continues to teach cooking in Arizona and California. Donna was the 1993 James Beard nominee for Best Chef Southwest and was inducted into Arizona’s Culinary Hall of Fame in 1994. In 1999, Donna received IACP’s Award of Excellence for Chefs. Donna was seen in segments of three nationally televised cooking shows.
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The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance is honored to pay tribute to Don Luria and Donna Nordin, with the naming of our community teaching kitchen, in their honor.

Social
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About
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The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the creation, preservation and advancement of the Arts. SAACA strengthens the bonds between people, place and purpose through collaborative, arts-driven experiences.

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  • ABOUT
    • ABOUT US
    • EQUITABLE OUTREACH
    • TEAM CONTACTS
    • SAACA BOARD LEADERSHIP
  • GET INVOLVED & SUPPORT
    • SUPPORT OUR WORK - DONORS & PARTNERSHIPS
    • CURRENT PARTNERS, DONORS & SPONSORS
    • SPONSOR A PROGRAM OR EVENT
    • VOLUNTEER
    • INTERN
    • ARTIST & VENDOR APPLICATIONS
  • EVENTS & FESTIVALS
    • CALENDAR OF EVENTS
    • EVENT & EXHIBITOR APPLICATIONS
    • ART & MUSIC FESTIVALS >
      • CRUISE, BBQ & BLUES
      • DESERT RIDGE MUSIC & MURALS
      • DOWNTOWN GLENDALE ARTS & CULTURE FEST
      • LA ENCANTADA FINE ART FESTIVAL
      • SAHUARITA ART ON THE LAKE FESTIVAL
      • SKY ISLANDS FALL ARTISAN MARKET
      • ORO VALLEY FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS & HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING CELEBRATION
      • ORO VALLEY FALL ARTISAN MARKET
      • ORO VALLEY SPRING FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
      • TEMPE ART BLOCK PARTY
      • TUCSON FOLK FESTIVAL
    • CULINARY EVENTS >
      • DEVOUR CULINARY CLASSIC
      • SALSA, TEQUILA & TACO CHALLENGE
      • SAVOR FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL
      • WORLD MARGARITA CHAMPIONSHIP
    • LIVE MUSIC >
      • LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOOKOUT
      • ORO VALLEY CONCERT SERIES
      • RIVERFRONT PARK CONCERT SERIES
  • ART PROGRAMS & COLLABORATIONS
    • ARTIST OPPORTUNITIES - CALL TO ARTIST LISTINGS
    • SAHUARITA CAPTURING COMMUNITY PHOTO CONTEST
    • ORO VALLEY PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION
    • PUBLIC ART IN ORO VALLEY, AZ
    • PUBLIC ART IN SAHUARITA, AZ
    • VENTANA GALLERY & ART EXHIBITIONS AT ROCHE >
      • UNCOMMON KNOWLEDGE ART EXHIBITION
      • 2023 ROCHE CULTURE LENS PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION
      • 2022 ROCHE CELEBRATING MOMENTS PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION
      • 2021 ROCHE LUNG CANCER AWARENESS EXHIBITION
    • CREATIVE AGING AT THE FOUNTAINS
    • DIGITAL ART PROGRAMS >
      • AARP CELEBRATING ARTISTS VIDEO SERIES
      • SLOW FOOD COOKING CLASSES WITH SLOW FOOD
    • UNDERCOVER ARTS MAGAZINE
    • TRANSPORTATION ART BY YOUTH 2022 >
      • Gila Monster
      • Glowing Scorpions
      • Prickly Pear Everywhere
  • CATALYST CREATIVE COLLECTIVE