​SAACA was founded on the belief that a collaborative approach is the only sustainable and balanced way to build a meaningful arts organization.  SAACA is focused on redefining arts to become inclusive of our diverse creative sector and unique regional assets and heritage. We accomplish our mission through the presentation of key programs, projects, and events. 

A LEGACY OF DIVERSE COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Since the organization was founded in 1997 as the Greater Oro Valley Arts Council, the work has always been focused on the centric work of community based, collaborative outreach programs and events.  Below is a sampling of the programs and community events which we have presented, created, collaborated on and established throughout the State.  

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted SAACA's ability to present community programming.  Although many of our events have been cancelled, paused or altered, we stay committed to engaging in work that is most relevent and needed to sustain and promote the work of artists and the creative sector. 

For a current list of programming and events, please visit the PROGRAMMING & EVENTS tab of our website, or click on the LEARN MORE for active events and programming. 

Due to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the events and festivals may be postponed or remain in the to be announced categories.    

ART FESTIVALS

• Oro Valley Spring Festival of the Arts (2013-present) March 4 & 5, 2023  LEARN MORE
• Oro Valley Festival of the Arts & Holiday Tree Lighting (2013-present) December 3 & 4, 2022  LEARN MORE
• Oro Valley Fall Artisan Market (2021 to present) TBA  LEARN MORE
• La Encantada Fine Art Festival (2011-present)  LEARN MORE
• Sky Islands Fall Artisan Market (Formerly Patagonia Fall Festival) October 8 & 9, 2022  LEARN MORE
• Kierland POP Art in Unexpected Places Festival (2016-present) 2022 TBA LEARN MORE
• Sahuarita Art at the Lake Festival Date TBA  LEARN MORE​

PAST FESTIVALS
Arts in the Plaza (2012-2019)
Open Studio Tours (2016-2018)
Arts in the Park Fine Art Festival (2000-2012) ​

COMMUNITY ART GALLERIES

• The Ventana Medical Systems Gallery at Roche Tissue Diagnostics (2008-present) LEARN MORE
• CAPTRUST Community Gallery (2018-present)  LEARN MORE

PAST GALLERY SPACES
Cox Communications Community Gallery (2016-2020)
Waddell & Reed Community Gallery (2015-2017)
Tanque Verde Dental Community Gallery (2016-2019) 

COMMUNITY ARTS & CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS

• Cruise, BBQ & Blues Community Classic Car Show & Festival (2008-present)  2023 Date TBA  LEARN MORE
• Tempe Marketplace World of Chalk  April 30, 2022  LEARN MORE
• Celebracion Sahuarita (2021) TBA  LEARN MORE​
• Sahuarita Chalk Art Festival  (2019-present) TBA  LEARN MORE

PAST EVENTS
Desert Ridge Plein Air Painting Festival (2018-2019)
Park Place Chalk Art Festival (2012-2016)
Phoenix Chalk Art Festival (2013-2018)
Cox Communications Movies in the Park (2012-2017)
Paper Flower Bomb Festival (2017)
SPLASH – A Celebration of Live Art (2014-2016)
Oro Valley Fourth of July with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra (2003-2009) 

CULINARY ARTS

• Devour Culinary Classic (2010-present) 2022 Dates TBA  LEARN MORE
• Devour the World (2018-present) 2022 Dates TBA  LEARN MORE
• Salsa, Tequila & Taco Challenge (2011-present) 2022 Dates TBA  LEARN MORE
• SAVOR Food & Wine Festival (2014-present) 2022 Date TBA  LEARN MORE
• Tucson 23 Mexican Food Festival (2016-present) 2022 Date TBA  LEARN MORE
• World Margarita Championship (2014-present) 2022 Date TBA  LEARN MORE
• Arizona Wine Growers Association (AWGA) Grand Wine Festival & Awards (Future Dates TBA)

PAST EVENTS
AZ Food & Wine Festival (2018)
Sweet Charity Dessert Challenge (2014-2018) 
Three Sisters Culinary Series (2019)
Monark Great Chef Series (2016-2018)
CARNIVAL (2018-2019)
SWING Cocktails & Classics (2015-2016) 

DIGITAL ARTS & CULTURAL PROGRAMS

• AARP 2020 Digital Arts Series (2020)
• Oro Valley Photography Competition (2021)  LEARN MORE
• Slow Food Cooking Classes (2020-2021)
• Oro Valley Concert Series (2020) 

LIVE MUSIC & CONCERTS

• JW Marriott Live Music (2020-present)  LEARN MORE
• Oro Valley Concert Series (2012-present)  LEARN MORE
• Westward Look Concert Series (2020-present)  LEARN MORE 

PAST EVENTS
Oro Valley Riverfront Concert Series (2019)
Jazz Legends Live (2008-2018)
Musical Gold in the Morning (2010-2019)
Tuba Christmas (2012-present)
MasterWorks Concert Series with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra (2002-2016)
OdySea Cultural Connections (2019)
Musical Magic for Kids (2007-2018)
Opera 101 (2008-2019)
St. Philips Concert Series (2018-2020) 
Tucson Premium Outlets Concert Series (2017-present)
Concert of All Ages (2010-2014)

PUBLIC ART & MURAL PROJECTS

• Oro Valley Summer Transportation Art by Youth Public Art Program (2002-present) LEARN MORE
• Sahuarita Painted Electric Boxes and Mural Project (2018-present)  LEARN MORE
• Oro Valley Public Art Installations 1% for Public Art Code (2000-present)  LEARN MORE
• Umbrella Sky – Phoenix, AZ (2018)
• Scottsdale Quarter Pinwheel Project (2017)
• Sahara Apartments Mural Commission (2019)
• Welcome to Oro Valley Mural (2021)
• Artscapes Project in Phoenix, AZ (2018-present)
• Music Greats Mural Wall in Tempe, AZ (2018)