SAACA
  • ABOUT
    • ABOUT
    • TEAM CONTACTS
    • PARTNERS, DONORS & SPONSORS
    • BOARD OF DIRECTORS
    • CULTURAL EQUITY
  • WHAT WE DO
    • BUSINESS & ARTS PARTNERSHIPS
    • ARTS & HEALTHCARE
    • ARTS EDUCATION
    • CREATIVE PLACEMAKING
    • CREATIVE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT
  • GET INVOLVED
    • DONATE AND SUPPORT
    • VOLUNTEER
    • INTERN
  • 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 FALL ARTISAN MARKET
      • ORO VALLEY FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS & HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING
      • 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
      • STEAM PUMP CONCERT SERIES
  • ART PROGRAMS
    • OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTS - CALL TO ARTIST
    • PUBLIC ART & MURAL ADMINISTRATION
    • SAHUARITA CAPTURING COMMUNITY PHOTO CONTEST
    • ORO VALLEY PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION
    • VENTANA GALLERY AT ROCHE >
      • 2023 ROCHE CULTURE LENS PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION >
        • OBJECTS
        • PEOPLE
        • PLACE
        • TRADITIONS
      • 2022 ROCHE CELEBRATING MOEMENTS PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION
      • 2021 ROCHE LUNG CANCER AWARENESS EXHIBITION
    • AARP CELEBRATING ARTISTS VIDEO SERIES
    • UNDERCOVER ARTS MAGAZINE
    • SLOW FOOD COOKING CLASSES WITH SLOW FOOD
    • TRANSPORTATION ART BY YOUTH 2022 >
      • Gila Monster
      • Glowing Scorpions
      • Prickly Pear Everywhere
  • CATALYST CREATIVE COLLECTIVE
    • UPCOMING CLASSES & EVENTS
    • ABOUT THE CATALYST CREATIVE COLLECTIVE
    • ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM
    • VENUE & SPECIAL EVENT RENTALS

ABOUT US

MISSION

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. 

​Most importantly, our work creates much needed opportunity and advocacy for our creative sector to thrive, and grow.  
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ORIGIN STORY

Southern Arizona has long served as a hub for art and culture. But despite the profusion of talent, our creative individuals found difficulties in making a living from their work and sharing it with the community. 

We created SAACA (formerly the Greater Oro Valley Arts Council) to address these needs by cultivating programming that puts a spotlight on our local creatives and celebrates our unique culture, while providing direct opportunities for artists to make and sell their work.
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To date, SAACA has created over 300,000 arts-driven experiences, from innovative community festivals and cultural celebrations to creative sector development, and accessible arts enrichment programs. We continue to grow both our footprint and our impact as we pursue our mission of strengthening the bonds between people, place and purpose.  

STEPS TOWARDS ACCOMPLISHING OUR MISSION & VISION

We accomplish our mission by creating and presenting key programs, educational opportunities, and cultural celebrations that create new opportunities for artists, creativity, and makers to thrive. SAACA focuses much of this collaborative programming in places and sectors less commonly known as traditional art spaces.
 
Whether it be partnerships with local developers, healthcare service organizations, government partners, or social service organizations, our work continues to find new places and spaces for our creative sector to grow.

In 2019, to maximize outreach and opportunity for the Creative Sector, SAACA established the 14,000 square foot CATALYST Arts and Maker Space.  The space provides opportunities for artists, organizations, and the community to come together through the Teaching Kitchen, Arts & Crafts Studio, Robotics, and Engineering Lab, Artist Co-Working Spaces, and Digital Arts and Music Studio.  

PEOPLE

​Connection.
Community.
Empathy.
​
Our programming and work fills the need for human interaction in an isolated world.
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PLACE

Diversity.
Culture.
Tradition.
​
We build on the present while preserving the past and instilling pride in our community.
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PURPOSE

Problem Solving.
New Ideas.
Curiosity.
​
We inspire creative solutions to promote a more resilient, empathic and vibrant community.
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WHAT WE DO
SAACA supports and connects creative industries, multidisciplinary artists and arts organizations, and businesses throughout the region. We are honored to serve and connect local arts endeavors to information and opportunities that inspire a creative life. Through innovative arts and business partnerships, arts and healthcare programming, public art, new opportunities for artists, makers, and creatives, education partnerships, and community events, we aim to inspire a vibrant and culturally rich community. 

OUR INSPIRATION
SAACA actively advocates for support for arts and cultural resources and programming. We believe that support for artists and creatives is essential to our region’s economic development and to build momentum for future growth. The arts empower a sense of place and reflect a commitment to a brighter future. Through collaboration and community conversation, we implement innovative resources and programming that serve our diverse community.

WHY
Arts and culture provide foundational contributions to communities’ well-being. By supporting and developing innovative community arts programming, we help create communities capable of positive, diverse and equitable public dialogue and action. The arts provide a tool for mobilization and help build community leadership and capacity.  

OUR WORK
SAACA’s targeted programming and mission are vital to helping build a better future for our community. Our work facilitates a more connected and relevant voice for the arts and cultural organizations. We support individual artists, makers, and creatives who are central to community enrichment. The arts foster a creative and sustainable economy, which contributes to our sense of place.
Statement on Cultural Equity
Strategic Plan 2015-2020
SAACA 501 (c)(3) Non Profit Documents & Filings
2015 Annual Report
2016 Annual Report
2017 Annual Report
2018 ANNUAL REPORT
2019 ANNUAL REPORT
2020 ANNUAL REPORT
2021 ANNUAL REPORT

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.
  • ABOUT
    • ABOUT
    • TEAM CONTACTS
    • PARTNERS, DONORS & SPONSORS
    • BOARD OF DIRECTORS
    • CULTURAL EQUITY
  • WHAT WE DO
    • BUSINESS & ARTS PARTNERSHIPS
    • ARTS & HEALTHCARE
    • ARTS EDUCATION
    • CREATIVE PLACEMAKING
    • CREATIVE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT
  • GET INVOLVED
    • DONATE AND SUPPORT
    • VOLUNTEER
    • INTERN
  • 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 FALL ARTISAN MARKET
      • ORO VALLEY FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS & HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING
      • 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
      • STEAM PUMP CONCERT SERIES
  • ART PROGRAMS
    • OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTS - CALL TO ARTIST
    • PUBLIC ART & MURAL ADMINISTRATION
    • SAHUARITA CAPTURING COMMUNITY PHOTO CONTEST
    • ORO VALLEY PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION
    • VENTANA GALLERY AT ROCHE >
      • 2023 ROCHE CULTURE LENS PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION >
        • OBJECTS
        • PEOPLE
        • PLACE
        • TRADITIONS
      • 2022 ROCHE CELEBRATING MOEMENTS PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION
      • 2021 ROCHE LUNG CANCER AWARENESS EXHIBITION
    • AARP CELEBRATING ARTISTS VIDEO SERIES
    • UNDERCOVER ARTS MAGAZINE
    • SLOW FOOD COOKING CLASSES WITH SLOW FOOD
    • TRANSPORTATION ART BY YOUTH 2022 >
      • Gila Monster
      • Glowing Scorpions
      • Prickly Pear Everywhere
  • CATALYST CREATIVE COLLECTIVE
    • UPCOMING CLASSES & EVENTS
    • ABOUT THE CATALYST CREATIVE COLLECTIVE
    • ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM
    • VENUE & SPECIAL EVENT RENTALS