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Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art facts for kids

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Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA)
Civic Plaza and Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Arts.jpg
Established 1999
Location 7374 E. 2nd St
Scottsdale, AZ 85251 United States
Type Art

The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) is a cool art museum in Scottsdale, Arizona. It's located in the Old Town area. This museum is all about showing off modern art, design, and architecture. Think of it as a place where you can see new and exciting creations!

SMoCA has four main rooms, called galleries. These galleries show different art exhibits. Some art is from the museum's own collection, which they keep all the time. Other shows are special exhibits that change often, so there's always something new to see! One special artwork, called Knight Rise, is always there. It's a unique "skyspace" created by an Arizona artist named James Turrell.

What is SMoCA?

SMoCA is a place where you can explore art that is often new and different. It focuses on art made in our time, or art that uses modern ideas. This includes paintings, sculptures, and even how buildings are designed. The museum wants to help people understand and enjoy these creative works.

What Kind of Art Can You See?

At SMoCA, you can see many types of modern art. This might include:

  • Paintings and Sculptures: Artworks that use new styles and materials.
  • Design: How everyday objects or spaces are planned and created.
  • Architecture: The art and science of designing buildings.

The museum often has special exhibits that feature artists from all over the world. These shows change regularly, so each visit can be a new adventure!

History of SMoCA

The idea for SMoCA started in 1988. It took some time to plan, but the museum finally opened its doors in February 1999. The building itself is pretty interesting! It used to be a movie theater. A talented architect from Phoenix, Will Bruder, completely changed it into the modern museum you see today. He made it look simple and striking.

The city of Scottsdale helps run the museum. A group called Scottsdale Arts manages it. They are a non-profit group, which means they use any money they make to support the museum and its programs, not to make a profit for owners.

Famous Artists at SMoCA

Many amazing artists have shown their work at SMoCA. Some of these include:

These artists bring fresh ideas and unique ways of looking at the world through their art.

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