7 Things to Do at Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA)
By: Adam Jerold Cansino | August 20, 2026
A visit to the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, better known as SMoCA, is an easy way to add creativity, design, and culture to a Scottsdale itinerary. Located at the Scottsdale Civic Center, the destination works especially well as a short cultural stop before lunch, shopping, dinner, or an evening in Old Town.
The experience is approachable for both casual visitors and art aficionados. Its galleries feature changing exhibitions alongside selections from the collection, so returning guests can encounter something different from one trip to the next.
If you are planning a broader Arizona getaway, use this stop alongside our parent guide to the 10 Best Things To Do in Scottsdale, Arizona for an Unforgettable Desert Getaway to build out the rest of your itinerary.
1. Explore the Rotating Contemporary Art Exhibitions
Start with the changing gallery lineup. SMoCA offers exhibitions centered on visual culture, architecture, design, installations, and creative experimentation, creating a dynamic space that can feel different from one visit to the next.
That variety makes the experience particularly useful for groups with different interests. One person may be drawn to design, another to immersive installations, and another to works responding to the desert Southwest. The programming also introduces visitors to creators and ideas from Scottsdale, the broader region, and around the world.
Because exhibitions rotate, check the current calendar before your visit rather than assuming the same displays will be available year-round.
2. Experience Immersive Art Museum Installations
Some of the most memorable visits happen when an installation surrounds you rather than remaining on a wall or pedestal. In 2026, • Squidsoup • Infinite • transforms the gallery with hundreds of illuminated spheres combining light and sound. The installation is scheduled to remain on view through August 30, 2026.
Experiences like this can be especially appealing to visitors who do not normally spend much time in galleries. The sensory format creates a more interactive stop and gives couples, friends, and families something visually distinctive to add to a day in Scottsdale.
Temporary installations change throughout the year, so confirm what will be available during your dates.
3. See Selections From the Permanent Collection
A visit can also introduce you to pieces from SMoCA’s growing permanent collection. Mark + Making | Selections from the SMoCA Collection brings together drawings, paintings, prints, and sculpture while examining how creators use marks, gestures, and line to develop form and ideas. The exhibition is scheduled to continue through January 31, 2027.
This section is worth slowing down for rather than rushing from one room to another. Choose a few works that catch your attention and look closely at their materials, scale, textures, and techniques.
Seeing selections from the collection also gives repeat visitors another way to understand SMoCA beyond its temporary programming.
4. Spend Time at James Turrell’s Knight Rise
One of the most distinctive experiences connected with SMoCA is Knight Rise, James Turrell’s Skyspace in the Nancy and Art Schwalm Sculpture Garden. The installation frames the sky through an opening overhead, making natural light, color, and perception central to the experience.
The effect changes depending on the time of day and conditions overhead, encouraging visitors to slow down and notice something as familiar as the sky in an entirely different way.
Knight Rise is also part of Scottsdale Public Art, creating a natural connection between the indoor galleries and the city’s creative works.
5. Look at the Building as Part of the Experience
Architecture fans should pay attention to the building itself. Designed by award-winning architect Will Bruder, SMoCA transformed a former movie theater into a minimalist setting dedicated to exhibitions, architecture, and design.
Notice the building’s geometry, natural light, courtyards, and transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces as you move through the property. The architecture does more than house the exhibitions; it helps shape the way visitors experience them.
For guests interested in design, this architectural layer adds another reason to include SMoCA in a Scottsdale itinerary even when the visit is relatively short.
6. Discover Desert Perspectives and Regional Ideas
Scottsdale’s desert setting can shape visitors’ understanding of the region, and SMoCA’s programming offers another perspective on that landscape. Desert Perspectives, scheduled for September 12, 2026, through September 5, 2027, brings together creators connected to the Southwest while examining themes including ecology, memory, stewardship, representation, and place.
That regional focus can add context to the rest of an Arizona trip. After hiking, driving through the Sonoran Desert, or visiting other outdoor attractions, seeing creative interpretations of the same environment may change what you notice when you return to the outdoors.
Check the Scottsdale Arts calendar for related talks, art workshops, and special programming that may coincide with your dates.
7. Pair SMoCA With Old Town and a Scottsdale Stay
SMoCA’s Scottsdale Civic Center location makes it practical to combine the experience with other stops in and around Old Town. Afterward, continue your day with restaurants, local shopping, outdoor spaces, or a self-guided tour of nearby attractions.
Before leaving for the day, check current hours, admission information, parking guidance, and accessibility details. SMoCA’s official visitor information is updated with the latest policies and schedules.
For a longer getaway, having a comfortable home base makes it easier to balance galleries, golf, restaurants, desert adventures, and downtime. Browse Scottsdale vacation rentals from Paradiso to compare professionally styled private residences designed with families and groups in mind. Paradiso emphasizes spacious gathering areas, thoughtful design, and hotel-grade amenities across its collection.
Whether SMoCA becomes the centerpiece of your day or simply one stop on a larger itinerary, it offers a compact introduction to Scottsdale’s creative side while pairing naturally with the dining, architecture, shopping, and outdoor experiences found throughout the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art worth visiting?
Yes. SMoCA is a good choice for travelers interested in contemporary art, architecture, design, and creative installations. Its compact layout also makes it easy to include in a half-day or afternoon itinerary.
How much time should I spend at SMoCA?
Most visitors can comfortably explore the galleries in about one to two hours. You may want to allow extra time if you plan to see special exhibitions, attend a program, or spend time at James Turrell’s Knight Rise Skyspace.
Is SMoCA close to Old Town Scottsdale?
Yes. The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art is located at Scottsdale Civic Center near Old Town, making it convenient to combine with nearby restaurants, shopping, public spaces, and other Scottsdale attractions.
Is the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art good for families?
It can be. Families with children who enjoy visual art, design, architecture, or interactive installations may find plenty to explore. Check current exhibitions and programming before visiting to choose experiences that best match your group.
What else can I do near SMoCA?
After visiting the museum, you can explore Old Town Scottsdale, browse local shops and galleries, enjoy nearby restaurants, or continue to other cultural attractions. For more ideas, see the 10 Best Things To Do in Scottsdale, Arizona for an Unforgettable Desert Getaway.