​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.  

ARTS & CULTURAL FESTIVALS

  • Oro Valley Spring Festival of the Arts (2013-present)   LEARN MORE
  • Oro Valley Festival of the Arts & Holiday Tree Lighting (2013-present)   LEARN MORE
  • Oro Valley Fall Foodie & Art Festival (2021 to present)   LEARN MORE
  • Downtown Glendale Arts & Culture Fest   LEARN MORE
  • La Encantada Fine Art Festival (2011-present)  LEARN MORE
  • Patagonia Fall Festival  LEARN MORE​
  • Sahuarita Art at the Lake Festival  LEARN MORE​​
  • Cruise, BBQ & Blues Community Classic Car Show & Festival (2008-present)  LEARN MORE
  • Tempe Marketplace World of Chalk    LEARN MORE
PAST FESTIVALS
  • Arts in the Plaza (2012-2019)
  • Open Studio Tours (2016-2018)
  • Arts in the Park Fine Art Festival (2000-2012) ​
  • Celebracion Sahuarita (2021) 
  • ​Sahuarita Chalk Art Festival  (2019-present) 
  • ​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) 

COMMUNITY GALLERY SPACES

  • The Ventana Medical Systems Gallery at Roche Tissue Diagnostics (2008-present) LEARN MORE​
  • Fountains at La Cholla Gallery
  • ​Flinn Foundation Gallery
PAST GALLERY SPACES
  • Cox Communications Community Gallery (2016-2020)
  • Waddell & Reed Community Gallery (2015-2017)
  • Tanque Verde Dental Community Gallery (2016-2019) 
  • CAPTRUST Community Gallery (2018-present)  

CULINARY ARTS

  • Devour Culinary Classic (2010-present)   LEARN MORE
  • Devour the World (2018-2020) 
  • Salsa, Tequila & Taco Challenge (2011-present)   LEARN MORE
  • SAVOR Food & Wine Festival (2014-present)  LEARN MORE
  • Tucson 23 Mexican Food Festival (2016-present)   LEARN MORE
  • World Margarita Championship (2014-present)  LEARN MORE​
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) 
  • Arizona Wine Growers Association (AWGA) Grand Wine Festival & Awards (Future Dates TBA)

LIVE MUSIC

  • 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)
  • JW Marriott Live Music 

PUBLIC ART & MURAL INSTALLATIONS

  • 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) 

DIGITAL ARTS PROGRAMMING

  • AARP Digital Arts Series (2020)
  • Oro Valley Photography Competition (2021)  LEARN MORE
  • Slow Food Cooking Classes (2020-2021)
  • Fountain Hills Photography Competition 2023-present
  • Sahuarita Photography Competition 2023-present
  • Oro Valley Concert Series (2020 to present)