College is a time to explore, and there's no better place to find the wild passion and exotic experience that students crave than... the arts.
Mary Fowler, spokeswoman for the Tempe Center for the Arts, says art is a way to express emotions, and can teach people how to relate in new and different ways.
“Art makes people talk to each other, people from all different cultures,” she says. “When you look at artwork it can make people angry, it can make people happy, but at the very least it gets them talking.”
Soaking up city culture can be difficult on a college budget, though.
Tickets to Phoenix-culture hallmarks such as Ballet Arizona and the Phoenix Symphony are not only unattainable for many, but can make the whole thing seem downright intimidating.
But culture is more than rich men in stiff tuxedos and ball-gowned women holding binoculars. It’s poetry readings in parks, Native American festivals, modern Chicano sculpture, and campy movies at midnight. It’s all over the Valley, and is accessible for everyone.
The Tempe Center for the Arts, located along Tempe Town Lake near Mill Avenue, sees a lot of student interest and involvement.
The most popular performance event is the open-mic night that takes place every Wednesday through May, featuring artists, live music and refreshments. The event is free, making it a great, causal place to start getting involved, she says.
Michelle Dock, TCA’s gallery coordinator, says cultural events are also a way to becoming engaged with the community.
“When you’re a student, you live in a community that surrounds a university, and being a part of that community isn’t just attending sports events or restaurants,” she says. “Tempe is a multifaceted group and ASU is a part of that.”
Here are a few ways to find culture on the cheap:
Heard Museum
Light rail stop: Encanto / Central Avenue
A world-famous collection of Native American history and artwork, both ancient and modern, the Heard Museum is a wonderful place to get in touch with Southwest culture. Student admission is $7.50, and every third Thursday the museum hosts a free evening series called NU (Native + You), which often features musical performances, artist demonstrations, films, and more. Three free tours are offered daily, for those interested in learning more about the exhibitions.
Visit: www.heard.org
Phoenix Art Museum
Light rail stop: McDowell / Central Avenue
Featuring more than 18,000 classic and modern works from around the world, the Phoenix Art Museum is a premier spot to discover visual art. Student admission is $8, but admission is “voluntary donation” on First Friday and Wednesday evenings. The museum also offers three guided tours a day, all of which are repeated at 6 p.m. on Wednesday’s free admission night.
Visit: www.phxart.org
Symphony Hall – home to The Phoenix Symphony, Arizona Opera, and Ballet Arizona
Light rail stop: 3rd Street / Washington
Both Ballet Arizona and The Phoenix Symphony offer student tickets, discounted 10 and 25 percent, respectively. They both also have student rush tickets; starting one hour before any concert, Symphony tickets are only $10, and Ballet Arizona tickets are half price. While tickets for the Symphony’s full 16-concert “classics” series are typically $248 and above, they offer a College Club Card, which gives students access to unlimited classics for only $30.
Visit: www.phoenixsymphony.org and www.balletaz.org
MADCAP Theaters
Light rail stop: Mill Avenue / Third Street
For those looking for a more alternative counter-culture experience, MADCAP is just the place. A collection of six theaters designed to host live music, small performances, lectures, and film screenings, MADCAP is home to local and independent talent.
Visit: www.madcaptheaters.com
Tempe Center for the Arts
Light rail stop: Veterans Way / College Avenue
Composed of a gallery, studio and theater, the Tempe Center of the Arts is the perfect place to begin experiencing a wide range of culture. Every Wednesday it hosts a free Open Mic Night from 6 to 10 p.m. featuring local live music. Tempe Poetry in April is a free event that will feature poets reading in the studio or lakeside every Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Visit: www.tempe.gov/tca/
Reach the reporter at kaila.white@asu.edu
