Best Gallery
Tucson Desert Art Museum
7000 E. Tanque Verde Road
520-202-3888
tucsondart.org
Founded in 2013, the Tucson Desert Art Museum offers a compelling blend of fine art, Indigenous culture and Southwestern history. It aims to educate guests about the rich history, diverse cultures and vibrant art of the region. With rotating exhibits showcasing everything from Navajo textiles to contemporary Western art, the museum provides a deep dive into the region’s artistic legacy.
Reader Recommended
DeGrazia
6300 N. Swan Road
520-299-9191
degrazia.org
Philabaum Glass Gallery
2840 E. Skyline Drive
520-884-7404
philabaumglass.com
Best Art Museum
Tucson Museum of Art
140 N. Main Avenue
520-624-2333
tucsonmuseumofart.org
The Tucson Museum of Art was established in 1924, and holds a collection of over 11,000 works from Latin American, Indigenous, Western and modern artists. The museum features historic adobe buildings, contemporary gallery spaces and hands-on learning programs. It houses special exhibitions and offers art classes, keeping locals and visitors engaged year-round.
Reader Recommended
The Mini Time Machine
Museum of Miniatures
4455 E. Camp Lowell Drive
520-881-0606
theminitimemachine.org
Tucson Desert Art Museum
7000 E. Tanque Verde Road
520-202-3888
tucsondart.org
Best Visual Artist
Joe Pagac
520-490-2794
joepagac.net
Joe Pagac is known for large-scale murals that blend surrealism with Sonoran Desert themes. His work appears on buildings across Tucson and includes community-funded public art and stage design. He also creates fine art and illustrations for clients, bringing his signature style to both Tucson’s public spaces and private homes.
Reader Recommended
Jessica Gonzales
jessicagonzalesart.com
Diana Madaras
3035 N. Swan Road
520-615-3001
madaras.com
Best Movie Theater
The Loft Cinema
3233 E. Speedway Boulevard
520-795-0844, loftcinema.org
Known for its unique programming and community focus, The Loft Cinema offers films that aren’t widely shown in commercial theaters. The nonprofit screens independent, foreign, classic and documentary films on three screens, including 35mm and 70mm projection. It also hosts festivals, live events and filmmaker Q&As.
Reader Recommended
Roadhouse
4811 E. Grant Road
520-209-2728
roadhousecinemas.com
Galaxy
100 S. Houghton Road
888-407-9874
galaxytheatres.com
Best Art Classes
Art Institute at the
ArizonaSonora Desert Museum
2021 N. Kinney Road
520-883-3024
desertmuseumarts.com
Located within the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, the Art Institute offers hands-on classes that blend creativity with nature. From botanical illustration to watercolor and mixed media, students of all levels can explore the desert through art. Taught by professional artists, the classes are available both in person and online.
Reader Recommended
Sonoran Glass School
633 W. 18th Street
520-884-7814
sonoranglass.org
Tipsy Picassos
520-343-5977
tipsy-picassos.square.site
Best Musical
instrument Store
Chicago Music Store
Multiple locations
chicagomusicstore.com
Chicago Music Store has been helping Tucson residents find a wide selection of new and used musical instruments since 1919. The store offers rentals, lessons and repairs for guitars, drums, keyboards and other instruments. It also hosts community events for musicians of all levels and carries a full range of audio gear, including speakers, microphones, mixers, software and power amps.
Reader Recommended
Bookman’s
6230 E. Speedway Boulevard
520-748-9555
bookmans.com
Instrumental Music Center
7063 E. Speedway Boulevard
520-733-7334
imc-az.com
Best Theater Company
Gaslight Theatre
7010 E. Broadway Boulevard
520-886-9428
thegaslighttheatre.com
Gaslight Theatre is Tucson’s longest-running live community theater, producing musicals and plays since 1977. The company stages several productions each year in its 200-seat theater and offers youth education programs along with opportunities for local actors and technicians. Their lineup includes musical comedy melodramas, Westerns, sci-fi spoofs, and holiday shows. Guests can also enjoy pizza, popcorn and root beer floats served right at their tables.
Reader Recommended
Arizona Theatre Company
330 S. Scott Avenue
833-282-7328
atc.org
Rogue Theater
300 E. University Boulevard
520-551-2053
theroguetheatre.org
Best Author
Lydia Milet
lydiamillet.net
Lydia Millet is an award-winning Tucson-based author known for her writing that often explores themes of nature, society and human relationships. She’s written novels, essays and opinion, and in 2010 she was a finalist for the Pulitzer prize. Millet’s writing is also known for its sharp wit and environmental consciousness.
Reader Recommended
Brian Smith
briansmithwriter.com
Adam Rex
adamrex.com
Best Dance Studio
Ballet Tucson
200 S. Tucson Boulevard
520-903-1445
ballettucson.org
Ballet Tucson offers a range of dance classes for children and adults, including ballet, jazz, contemporary and tap. The studio emphasizes strong technique and artistic expression in its training. It also presents regular performances and community outreach programs.
Reader Recommended
Viva Performing Arts
3708 S. 16th Avenue
520-544-9543
vivaperformingarts.com
Breakout Studios
5811 E. Speedway Boulevard
520-275-1085
breakoutstudios.online
Best Dance Company
UA School of Dance
1713 E. University Boulevard
520-621-4698
dance.arizona.edu
The UA School of Dance combines professional training with academic study in ballet, modern and contemporary dance. It produces several performances annually featuring students and guest artists. The school is part of the University of Arizona and offers both degree programs and community classes.
Reader Recommended
Ballet Tucson
200 S. Tucson Boulevard
520-903-1445
ballettucson.org
ZUZI!
650 N. Sixth Avenue
520-629-0237
zuzimoveit.org
Best Outdoor
Art Installation
Joe Pagac’s Murals
520-490-2794
joepagac.net
Joe Pagac’s murals bring large-scale, colorful art to Tucson’s public spaces. His work often features desert wildlife and surreal imagery inspired by the Sonoran Desert. Local plants, animals and sunsets are Pagac’s favorite subjects.
Reader Recommended
Jewish Community Center
Sculpture Garden
3800 E. River Road
520-299-3000
tucsonjcc.org
Ben’s Bells
40 W. Broadway Boulevard
520-622-1379
bensbells.org
Best Music School
School of Rock
6586 E. Grant Road
833-887-7625
schoolofrock.com
School of Rock offers performance-based music education for students of all ages and skill levels. Programs include private lessons, group rehearsals and live concerts. The school emphasizes rock, pop and other contemporary styles, aiming to develop confident musicians.
Reader Recommended
Tucson Jazz Institute
3233 S. Pinal Vista
520-514-0935
tucsonjazzinstitute.com
Chicago Music Store
Multiple locations
chicagomusicstore.com
Best Mariachi Band
Pueblo High School
Mariachi Band
520-440-3200
mariachiaztlandepueblohs.com
Founded in 1992, the Pueblo High School Mariachi Band is recognized for its authentic performances and skilled musicianship. The group is led by director John Contreras and was founded by Richard Carranza. It offers students an opportunity to develop cultural and musical skills.
Reader Recommended
Desert View High School Mariachi Band
4101 E. Valencia Road
520-545-5100
susd12.org
Luz De Luna
363 N. El Camino del Norte
520-906-6023
marldl.com
