The Arizona Commission on the Arts receives and administers funds from the State of Arizona and the National Endowment for the Arts and directs this funding to programs that contribute to the growth and stabilization of the arts, impact student learning, nurture and develop artists’ craft and skills, preserve the rich traditions of Arizona communities, and encourage participation by citizens of all ages and abilities.

Through the Arizona Commission on the Arts, the state makes a strategic investment of public dollars to assure Arizona’s competitive edge in attracting knowledge workers and their businesses. The diversity of Arizona’s artistic offerings becomes a magnet for attracting tourists. This public investment encourages contributions from the private sector and leverages these dollars many times over, contributing enormously to the quality of life and education opportunities the people of Arizona expect.