The Phoenix Art Museum, established in 1959, is the largest museum for visual art in the southwestern United States. The institution occupies 285,000 square feet and maintains a permanent collection of more than 21,000 objects spanning periods from ancient times to contemporary works. The collection includes American, Asian, European, Latin American, modern and contemporary art, fashion design, and photography, making it one of the most comprehensive art museums in the region.
American and Western American Art
The museum's American art collection features works dating from the late 18th century through the early 20th century, documenting the development and evolution of American artistic traditions. Represented artists include Winslow Homer, Sanford Robinson Gifford, Gilbert Stuart, John Singleton Copley, Fitz Henry Lane, George Inness, Eastman Johnson, William Merritt Chase, and Robert Henri. The Western American collection emphasises art of the Southwest, including works by the Taos School from the first quarter of the 20th century, early Western modernism from New Mexico, and depictions of the contemporary "New West." The American Modern exhibition explores how artists of the first half of the 20th century—including a significant cohort of women artists such as Georgia O'Keeffe and Marguerite Zorach—employed abstraction and other innovative techniques. This collection reflects both national artistic movements and the specific character of art produced in and about the American Southwest.
Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirror Room
One of the museum's most celebrated installations is You Who Are Getting Obliterated in the Dancing Swarm of Fireflies, an infinity mirror room by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. This immersive installation is the only Kusama infinity room in the American Southwest. The work creates a psychedelic, meditative environment using mirrors and carefully positioned lights to produce an illusion of infinite space dotted with firefly-like points of light. Kusama, who represented Japan at the 1993 Venice Biennale and has received numerous international awards, explores themes of mental illness, repetition, obsession, and the dissolution of the self throughout her prolific career. The Phoenix Art Museum's infinity room underwent restoration and reopened to the public in September 2023. Due to the delicate nature of the installation and high visitor demand, access is typically managed through timed reservations.
Additional Collections and Programming
Beyond American art, the museum houses significant collections of Asian art, European art, Latin American art, fashion design, and photography. The institution regularly hosts travelling exhibitions that bring international and contemporary art to Phoenix audiences. Educational programmes for all ages include lectures, workshops, and family activities designed to increase public engagement with visual art. The museum's archives and research facilities support scholarly work on the collections. The physical space includes multiple gallery wings, allowing the museum to display both permanent collection highlights and rotating temporary exhibitions simultaneously.
Visiting Information
The Phoenix Art Museum is located in central Phoenix, making it accessible for both residents and visitors. The museum offers membership programmes that provide benefits including free admission, event invitations, and discounts at the museum shop. Non-members should check the museum's official website for current admission fees, hours of operation, and any special exhibitions or events. Parking is available on-site. Given the size of the collection and the range of temporary exhibitions, visitors interested in a comprehensive experience should plan to spend several hours at the museum. Those with specific interests—such as the Kusama infinity room—should verify access requirements in advance, as some installations require advance booking.
Sources: Phoenix Art Museum Official Site • Phoenix Art Museum - Wikipedia • Fireflies Infinity Mirror Room