Scottsdale Art Week presented by Scottsdale Ferrari is returning for their second installment on March 19–22, 2026, at WestWorld of Scottsdale. And in addition to welcoming 120 international galleries, they will also be including a curated series of panel discussions and conversations that bring together museum directors, curators, artists, scholars, art professionals and market specialists. These dialogues explore the ideas, practices and perspectives shaping the art world today, bridging institutional insight, creative vision and market expertise in a setting that encourages both reflection and discovery.

The programming is set to unfold within the Cultural Programming Theatre, an intentionally designed space situated at the heart of the fair at WestWorld, a venue known for hosting the world-famous Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction. This forum serves as a gathering place for thoughtful exchange, offering audiences the opportunity to engage with leading voices in art and culture while immersed in the energy of the art fair.

Topics will range from curatorial and artistic practice to collecting, photography, trends in the global contemporary art market, LatinX art, Indigenous contemporary art, the relationship between art and design, Western art, and the ever-evolving art market. By situating these conversations within the fair, Scottsdale Art Week plans to create a seamless experience in which intellectual engagement complements the show, enhancing both context and connection.

In collaboration with distinguished cultural partners—including Phoenix Art Museum, Arizona State University Art Museum, the Heard Museum, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, the Center for Creative Photography, and the Denver Art Museum, alongside specialists from Heritage Auctions – the Cultural Programming Theatre reflects Scottsdale Art Week’s commitment to excellence, education and cultural leadership.

All tickets include access to Scottsdale Art Week’s daily cultural programming at the fair from Friday, March 20, through Sunday, March 22.

While organizers will unveil additional details in the coming weeks, here’s an early look at what to expect:

Friday, March 20, 2026:

Indigenous Representation in American Institutions

Join curators of Native American art from leading institutions, including the Heard Museum’s David Roche and the Denver Art Museum’s John Luchavic, to discuss the current state of collecting, exhibiting and presenting contemporary Native art in American museums.

In Conversation: Cara Romero and Emilia Mickevicius

Join leading contemporary photographer Cara Romero, Scottsdale Art Week’s Indigenous Artist of the Year, and curator Emilia Mickevicius for an exciting behind-the-scenes look at Romero’s exhibition “Panûpünüwügai (Living Light).” Romero and Mickevicius will discuss bringing the show to life at Phoenix Art Museum and the centrality of collaboration in Romero’s practice. 

Exploring the Intersection of Art + Design

This dynamic panel discussion explores the relationship between art and design and how the two disciplines inform and elevate one another. Moderated by Phoenix Home & Garden Editor-in-Chief John Roark, the conversation brings together leading architects, designers and tastemakers to examine how art and design work in unison to shape thoughtful, engaging environments.

Inside the Studio with Naomi and Tyler Glasses

Step inside the studio of Diné weavers Naiomi and Tyler Glasses, who create textiles inspired by the traditions of their grandmother. The Arizona-based siblings have been sought out by national brands across the country, with Naiomi serving as the first-ever artist in residence for Ralph Lauren and the pair recently teaming up on their second collaboration with Lauren, a collection for the home.

Scottsdale Art WeekSaturday, March 21, 2026:

Trends in the International Contemporary Art Market

Explore the current state and trends shaping the international contemporary art market alongside a panel of esteemed global art professionals, including Gallerist Phillip Blond of Blond Contemporary. 

In Conversation: ASU Art Museum Director Miki Garcia with the Ford Foundation’s Rocio Aranda-Alvarado

Join ASU Art Museum Director Miki Garcia as she discusses “A Handbook of LatinX Art with the book’s co-editor Rocio Aranda-Alvarado, who is part of the Creativity and Free Expression team at the Ford Foundation. The book is the first anthology to examine the rich, complex and often overlooked contributions LatinX artists have made to art in the United States. It brings together texts by artists, critics and scholars, reflecting the diversity of Latinx experiences across the nation, from the West Coast and the Mexico border to the East Coast.

The schedule is subject to change, so please visit ScottsdaleArtWeek.com for the most up-to-date information.

Author

image sources