Mesa Arts Center

My family has a curious history with the Mesa Arts Center. My dad had a small business that he was forced out of by eminent domain. It was slated to be demolished and turned into this arts center. It took quite a bit of fighting tooth and nail with litigation to actually get a decent amount of compensation for his business, his sole means of supporting the family. That being said I can’t fault the arts center for being what it is, but whenever I’m here I get a weird feeling of déjà vu for a location that used to be his business, but has a totally different air and purpose now.
The actual concept is excellent. They host several events throughout the year and have art exhibitions, shows, and classes you can take. The theaters the shows are in are nice with comfy seats and I generally haven’t had too much of a problem being able to see the stage. I went to a Mythbusters show here a few years ago and the Alton Brown show I went to recently was awesome. It’s great they can have such educational and entertaining guests performing here and I definitely keep an eye out for any future shows they are offering.

I was at the Mesa Arts Center for the Star Wars Phoenix Symphony music show with Events and Adventures. WOW… what a beautiful facility. There was not one thing that I did not like about the show, it was entertaining, the Phoenix Symphony was amazing, and I hummed a lot of the music. The Mesa Arts Center is now on my list for other events that they have. If you have not been there, it is a must see. At least once.

I love this place so much. I use it for photography shoots! That’s how beautiful the building and surrounding area is. Definitely would recommend.

Here to see the Beatles rain, nice performing center. Lots of room not crammed from seating and good leg room. Seems like no matter where you sit you will have a good view

This is one of the best places in the valley to watch a theatrical performance. I have been here multiple times to see the Southwest Shakespeare Company and most recently to see Spamalot. There are multiple stages and the prices are very reasonable. Every show I have seen was very close and personal (I could even see expressions on the actors faces). I would highly recommend and will return.

Came here from North Phoenix to see Cirque de Symphonie with friends. It’s a bit of a drive for me but it was well worth it! There were multiple events happening this evening but they kept traffic flowing and were great at directing you which theater to go to. Their ticketing machine went down so they weren’t able to print off our will call tickets so we missed the first 10 mins which was a bummer but not their fault and they worked quickly to fix issue.
Performance was fantastic and hugely entertaining. Thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. My only issue was that we were in the 2^nd tier all the way to the left and that seat you couldn’t see the stage without sitting on the edge of your seat (which isn’t very comfortable for long, or boring, shows).
The inside and outside of Mesa Arts Center are very well maintained and modern. I’m not sure if it was normal but there seemed to be a very high police presence here, which made us feel both safer and less safe at the same time.
MSC has many different shows/​events/​classes through out the year that I hope to take advantage of in the future. Will definitely be back!

When looking for a weekend welding class a couple of years ago, I discovered the Mesa Arts Center. If you’re looking for any sort of art classes in the evenings or on the weekends, Mesa probably has you covered.
Most of my review will be about the Welding Workshops (with Matt Smith as the instructor).
First of all, Matt is terrific. He’s an artist/​sculptor and has a Masters in Fine Arts. In addition to welding (OxyAcetylene, MIG, and a bit of TIG processes), he is great at teaching metal shaping/​bending/​etc. I’ll come back to this in a minute.
Let’s talk about the shop — fully loaded! 4 MIG welders, 2 gas setups, a TIG welder, a plasma cutter, plus a full size stomp shear, brake press, slip roll, bar benders, english wheel, anvils, swage blocks, vises, hammers, etc. etc.
Matt introduces the welding processes, and coaches everyone through them, then adds plasma cutting, then gets you started on some cool art projects that will teach you how to use most of the basic metal shaping machines and tools.
After you’ve got the basics down, dream something up — Matt will help you figure out how to make it (better, and easier, too!)
They also have blacksmithing classes (hey smiths, sweep up after class, would you?), jewelry making, glass blowing, photography, etc.
And, you can see any number of shows/​music acts and the like at the theater.
(and ignore the people whining about paying for parking, and having to park on the street when they showed up 20 minutes before show time — get there early, enjoy the grounds — (very pretty — lots of folks come to take photos for proms, engagement shots, etc.) — and everybody charges for parking — quit whining!
Mesa Arts Center is a cool place to expand your horizons — check it out!

I think we have been here twice and both times were good experiences. Clean and comfortable seating, clean restrooms and decent acoustics. The parking garage doesn’t have an elevator which in my opinion is strange. Otherwise it’s s great venue.

Love this place and have been here several times. It’s not so huge so even from the back you feel like you’re at the show. Kudos tonight to the staff at Will Call. I ordered the tickets to print and never noticed that I didn’t get the email so I could print them out — but I brought a printout of the receipt. They printed our tickets in no time — no sweat. I was in a wheelchair for this event, and the ushers were very helpful.
Bothersome question: Why didn’t I ever get the email so I could print the tickets? This may be something for them to work on. But still, love this place!

I’ve been here twice, for Sufjan Stevens and the EVMCO Christmas Concert. I was impressed both times. This is a beautiful venue, like a smaller and nicer Gammage. It is still large enough to be epic, and the acoustics are stellar. Parking in the area isn’t awful, though finding your entry door can be a bit stressful.
Still, this is one of my favorite big venues in the valley, and a big reason why Downtown Mesa is a thing now.

This is a fine performing arts center … acoustics are good, the seating is very comfortable, and the lobby area is spacious. I do not live in the area, so the production
has to be worth the drive.

Oh Mesa Arts Center, how do I love thee, let me count the ways! A little homage their to the Southwest Shakespeare company that does shows out of the art center and that is only the tip of the iceberg for the wonderful and varied events you can catch at this repository of great art and culture.
I only went a few times in the past, as I’m not a huge fan of driving unless I have to do so but now, after a wait of several years, you can catch the light rail to a stop right in front of the center. There are a number of good restaurants in the area for that pre-​show meal or that post-​show drinks and discussion and the art center has four different theaters. They also have a great set of volunteers (several hundred of them I believe) who help to keep things running smoothly. The bars are well located and you can take your drinks into the theater so make yourself at home and drive, or better yet catch the rail, to some of the finest cultural events in the valley.

Thanks for these moments
«Two» of our family members have been treated very rudely by the box office woman today Friday August 28^th. Both of these family members are kind gentle spirits who are deeply involved in the Mesa Arts community as performers and patrons. They just spent a great deal of money supporting your program and have been continuously buying tickets to your programs. This is very sad and very disconcerting. Thought you would want to know what is going on.
Thanks again for these moments.
Warmly and Sincerely
William Young

It had been a while since I had visited the Mesa Arts Center and since I live in North Scottsdale I don’t venture down to Mesa that often. We had tickets to see Potted Potter at 7:30pm that evening. We arrived to a line of 5 cars waiting to enter the parking garage at 7:10pm. To my surprise they had run out of parking in the parking garage structure next to the arts center. The woman directiing traffic decided to park some cars along the driveway of the center. I was OK with this, but I was not OK paying $ 5 for not even parking in the parking garage. I find it very insulting for a venue to charge a parking fee when I have already purchased tickets to attend the event. I find it tacky and greedy. Anyhow I gave her the $ 5 and parked my truck along the curb while another 20 cars were also looking for parking I imagined they also were charged for parking along the street.
We entered the venue and it’s a little on the small side. The incline between rows doesn’t allow for much incline to view over the person in front of you. So you’re having to view the show from between the shoulders of anyone sitting in front of you. Front row was probably be best, but I feel that it’s too close to the stage and you’ll probably have a strained neck after the show is over.

We came to see Potted Potter on a Saturday night. It was my first time here and I can tell you I won’t be back.
First, we get to the parking garage at 7:10 for a 7:30 show and the parking lot is FULL! Not only that, but here charging for parking for an event I already paid for. And since they were full, they had us park on the street curb and STILL charged us! The lady in charge was out of her mind and needed a Xanax.
Then we look at concessions for a snack and it was the poorest selection of snacks. Chips, bottled water, twizzlers, and chocolate. Great for kids. Not for adults. Blech.
Then we walk into the theater and the little old lady usher says «can I help you find your seat?» I say «no, I know where they’re at». Then she proceeds to snatch my tickets from my hand and start walking towards our seats. So rude! I appreciate old people when they’re nice, but jeez lady! Then she feels the need to read our seat numbers to us. Thanks, but I could’ve done that myself. I know they’re usually volunteers and that’s great and all, but there’s no need for all of that.
Theater is small, but clean, which is why they get 2 stars. Show hasn’t even started yet and I’m already not impressed with this place.

This is a very nice venue. I think there are no bad seats in the house and the acoustics are really good. I have seen a number of productions here and it is always a great night out.
My only complaint is that it is brand spanking new. I am old school and love venues with a history and some fabulous old architectural interests. Think Palau de Musica in Barcelona…

We have been to Mesa Arts Center several times, we have see Chrissie Hynde (amazing!) and Todd Rundgren (unbelievable!), to name a few shows we have seen here.
Really nice theater.
Parking cost like $ 5, but we normally park on the street for free, short walk.
We really enjoy coming to this venue for some shows, we travel from North Phoenix.
We will be back!

Been a few times and always have a blast at their venues. Tonight it was the Carnival of Illusions.

Love this museum in Mesa. It was free admission, great AC, and great exhibits:
1. Boundless — Books transformed in contemporary art
2. Fold, Paper, Scissors — Precisely cut paper «drawings» to mathematically mind-​boggling folds to a single sheet of paper
3. Betsy Douglas — modern silver designs to computer circuit board jewelry

This past Friday was my first time at this venue. It did not dissapoint!
I was lucky enough to win tickets and sit on stage while John Lengend performed. From my view it was toug to focus on anything around me other than the performance, but it didnt look like there was a bad seat in the house. The acoustics in this place are incredible! Looked like the onky place that might have a tough time seeing was the upper balcony… its pretty high up there.
Parking was quick and easy to find. Pretty small part of phx so that was a pleasant surprise. The box office for tickets was a challenge to find and there werent any helpful signs. So if youbuy in advance go a little early so you can find your way through the maze. The positive side of that was the grounds were REALLY pretty. There were bands playing outside and everything was very green and clean.
Overall, it was a great experience and if i have the opportunity i will be back. :-)