Mesa Arts Center
Mesa Arts Center
4.5
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Friday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
Closed
About
The Mesa Arts Center mission is to inspire people through engaging arts experiences that are diverse, accessible, and relevant. Owned and operated by the City of Mesa, Arizona’s largest arts center is recognized as an international award-winning venue. The unique and architecturally stunning facility is home to four theaters, five art galleries, and 14 art studios and an artist cooperative gallery.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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See what travelers are saying
- Bev2227West Memphis, Arkansas166 contributionsDavid Foster and Katharine McPhee delivered an electrifying concert that captivated the audience with their extraordinary musical talents and undeniable chemistry. The evening was a perfect blend of musical prowess, humor, and intimate storytelling. David Foster showcased his musical genius, engaging the audience with his down-to-earth personality and quick wit. Katharine McPhee dazzled with her sensational vocals and dynamic stage presence, moving effortlessly through the venue and connecting with fans. The guest performer brought an additional layer of excitement with a remarkable solo performance. While the marquee explicitly permitted photos and video, some audience members created unnecessary tension by attempting to control others' behavior. The audio announcement requested electronic devices be put away but did not explicitly prohibit their use, leading to confusion and unwarranted confrontations. The show was a testament to Foster and McPhee's musical brilliance, featuring a mix of iconic hits, personal anecdotes, and playful banter. Their performance demonstrated not just musical skill, but a genuine connection that resonated throughout the venue. Overall, the concert was an unforgettable evening of music, entertainment, and pure artistic joy.Visited January 2025Traveled with friendsWritten January 26, 2025
- Pete H1 contributionRush Tribute were three guys from Milwaukee who all have full time jobs. The lead singer is a college professor. The band is worthy of booking arenas. They were mind blowing great! Getty Lee meet your voice twin. It is unbelievable a band this good drives their own equipment. They are relatively new and played to a sold out show whose demographics were 70 percent men (heads glued to the stage).Visited February 2025Traveled with friendsWritten February 22, 2025
- GastroEclecticoPhoenix, Arizona1,726 contributionsMy wife and I are frequent visitors to the Mesa Arts Center and enjoy the myriads of events, showings, activities, performances and much, much more this incredible institution has to offer. Their offerings encompass such a vast array of arts and culture, it’s not possible to elaborate in a short review – it’s simply a fantastic venue! From cultural art, arts and crafts, visual arts, Day of the Dead exhibits, and whether your interests are one or the other, you’re going to enjoy a visit, or a few visits to this extraordinary interactive and personable museum. Congrats and Kudos to all involved – a terrific management and staff. And let us not forget thoughtful donors and continual patrons!Visited November 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten December 13, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
546 reviews
Excellent
413
Very good
105
Average
15
Poor
4
Terrible
9
JRMADA
United States3,473 contributions
Dec 2024 • Couples
We went to see the Nutcracker here and the show was excellent; however, the theater it was performed in was awful. The Piper Repertory Theater is poorly designed. Perhaps the architect was a novice or just the bottom of his/her class. In this theater the seats are at the same level, and the incline is barely noticeable if there is one, so if you are travel size and have the bad luck of seating behind someone slightly taller, you will barely see the stage. We had a hard time seeing the stage on the third row smack center. If you attend a performance here, I suggest buying first row seats, or first row balcony seats. If these are not available and you are travel size, I suggest skipping the show and saving your money and aggravation. The people working there are lovely, and street parking was easy to find. We refused to pay for parking. Good luck.
Written December 16, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jared P
2 contributions
Dec 2020
The Mesa Arts Center has the WORST online ordering system I have ever seen! It is slow, always. It crashes constantly. Whenever there is a big performance with a lot of interest, the system WILL GO DOWN. You won't be able to get the tickets you want because of the system itself. I don't know why they don't just use Ticket Master or some other ticket system. Instead, they have their own system that is clearly designed by a 12-year-old.
If you have to go to this venue, then you are stuck, but if you have any other option for seeing your concert, skip this place and go to the next possible performance venue so that you can actually get the seat you want. The ordering system is so bad, you can't even see what tickets you are ordering. It gives you a choice between tickets but doesn't show you even what section the tickets are in. Just price points. It looks like they haven't completed the coding on the website. That's how bad this system is.
Anytime I have to go to the Mesa Arts Center, I plan an hour and a half to go stand in line at the ticket office because their online system is worthless. I had to order online again this time because I was out of town when the tickets came online. It is as bad now as it has been for the past 8 years. I don't understand how a company can have such a poor ticket system. It boggles my mind.
If you have to go to this venue, then you are stuck, but if you have any other option for seeing your concert, skip this place and go to the next possible performance venue so that you can actually get the seat you want. The ordering system is so bad, you can't even see what tickets you are ordering. It gives you a choice between tickets but doesn't show you even what section the tickets are in. Just price points. It looks like they haven't completed the coding on the website. That's how bad this system is.
Anytime I have to go to the Mesa Arts Center, I plan an hour and a half to go stand in line at the ticket office because their online system is worthless. I had to order online again this time because I was out of town when the tickets came online. It is as bad now as it has been for the past 8 years. I don't understand how a company can have such a poor ticket system. It boggles my mind.
Written October 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan Z
Louisville9 contributions
Jan 2023
Listening to the Chicago Symphony here was a high point of our recent Arizona visit! My only caution was that I found the seating chart a bit confusing - I ordered tickets on line, and thought I had purchased 2 side aisle seats in the orchestra section. In fact our seats were against a wall, and two sections back from the orchestra seats. But the acoustics were great, and we could easily see the musicians and Conductor Muti.
Written January 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Victoria P
Carefree, AZ1,827 contributions
May 2022
Another good visit to the Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum. Either take the elevator or store downstairs to the various separate galleries. Admission is free, although donations are greatly appreciated.
The exhibits featured Chicano art with bold colors and imagery and Mexican folk art. Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) murals were seen again and again in the artwork.
In another room was a ceramic and steel installation titled Sanctuary. It was massive. It was a study on the role patterns play in sacred places.
The last exhibit showed some 30 colorful physiological and anatomical drawings.
An excellent visit. Once you are done, go back upstairs and across to The Store. The Store is an artist’s cooperative gallery of handmade items. On some occasions, one of the in house artists is there demonstrating their work and ready to answer questions.
The exhibits featured Chicano art with bold colors and imagery and Mexican folk art. Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) murals were seen again and again in the artwork.
In another room was a ceramic and steel installation titled Sanctuary. It was massive. It was a study on the role patterns play in sacred places.
The last exhibit showed some 30 colorful physiological and anatomical drawings.
An excellent visit. Once you are done, go back upstairs and across to The Store. The Store is an artist’s cooperative gallery of handmade items. On some occasions, one of the in house artists is there demonstrating their work and ready to answer questions.
Written May 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Victoria P
Carefree, AZ1,827 contributions
Mar 2023 • Solo
I always enjoy my free visit to the Arts Center. Street parking is free.
Take the elevator downstairs or walk down the stairs to the galleries. A staff member will greet you upon your entry.
There are several separate galleries so be sure to visit all.
You will see encaustic, wood, quilts, mixed media, paper collage.
I enjoyed seeing all the works of art. Photography is welcome unless otherwise posted.
Take the elevator downstairs or walk down the stairs to the galleries. A staff member will greet you upon your entry.
There are several separate galleries so be sure to visit all.
You will see encaustic, wood, quilts, mixed media, paper collage.
I enjoyed seeing all the works of art. Photography is welcome unless otherwise posted.
Written March 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John Mills
Benson, AZ542 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
My wife and I attended the Romantic Symphony for April Fools done by the Symphony of the Southwest. The place is immense with plenty of FREE parking and numerous stages. We have been to Phoenix Symphony Hall on several occasions, but the traffic and parking are always a hassle. Not here! Lots of parking and at least five theaters within the main complex and lots of other buildings surrounding it. If you ever want to attend a concert here, do it.
Written April 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
M S
5 contributions
Jan 2022
This was our second trip to Meza for this festival. The Art Center is a beautiful venue. The staff, mostly seniors, were most kind in their efforts to handle the large crowds. Only problem is not enough parking. Fortunately the Methodist Church has a huge lot and many people, like us parked there.
Written February 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Conrad L
Mesa, AZ51 contributions
Jan 2020
Not only was this place first class, it was clean, modern, well designed, and easy to negotiate even for folks with disabilities. As an added plus I was admiring a particular print in the reception area and saying how much I liked it. Little did I know, but I was speaking with the actual artist who did the original painting. I think this happens often at the Mesa Arts Center. What a treat!!!!
Written March 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tad O
Hyde Park, NY4 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Went last night to see River Dance, which is Irish step dancing. The performance was superb and the facility was terrific place to take it in. We were in their largest theater, about half way back. The seats were comfortable and the view was unobstructed.
Written May 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Luv2TravelFarNWide
Atenas, Costa Rica1,439 contributions
Oct 2018 • Friends
Ikeda Theater is a well-designed theatre, not too huge, and quite comfortable. However, not all seats are great. The lower level "box seats" are more like 2 long rows of seats against the outer walls - not a good angle. But the gently sloping lower level seats all have good views, even the ones on the right and left side of center.
Upper balconies, while cheaper, are also further away. Great seats if sound is the primary reason you're coming here.
We were here for a National Geographic "Live" presentation. The huge screen was more than adequate for all to see well. The sound system was not working well -- not sure whose fault that was.
There were plenty of ushers to help you find your seat. There are food & bar options (which some people brought into the theatre).
Restrooms were large, clean, and adequate for the crowds.
As other reviewers mentioned, website descriptions and diagrams of seats is not good. Having been here now, next time I'll be smarter.
Upper balconies, while cheaper, are also further away. Great seats if sound is the primary reason you're coming here.
We were here for a National Geographic "Live" presentation. The huge screen was more than adequate for all to see well. The sound system was not working well -- not sure whose fault that was.
There were plenty of ushers to help you find your seat. There are food & bar options (which some people brought into the theatre).
Restrooms were large, clean, and adequate for the crowds.
As other reviewers mentioned, website descriptions and diagrams of seats is not good. Having been here now, next time I'll be smarter.
Written October 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I haven't sat that close. If you are uncomfortable looking up rather than across, this would be a bad choice. I wouldn't do it.
Written September 10, 2019
If you want to walk then head to Mango's (Mexican).
Written February 23, 2018
Please review their website. The information is extremely valuable.
Written April 15, 2017
Just Outside in the plaza and across the street
Written August 28, 2019
What company is appearing for River Dance?
Are nursing babies allowed in the theatre?
What is the best website to purchase tickets?
Written October 28, 2015
No River Dance at the Barleen's Arizona Opry, not sure about nursing babies. Go to azopry web site
Written February 13, 2017
What company is appearing for River Dance?
Are nursing babies allowed in the theatre?
What is the best website to purchase tickets?
Written October 28, 2015
I do not know if nursing babies is allowed. I have never seen a baby/young child in the theater at evening performances. The youngest I have seen was about 10 and able to enjoy the performance. The best way to get tickets is to go directly to the Mesa Arts Center website. WestCoast Entertainment and Mike Pettite Presentations are presenting River Dance. You could find all this out by accessing the website.
Written November 2, 2015
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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