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Scottsdale has a long history of dedication and commitment to the arts. Some of the City's first settlers were artists, craftsmen, architects, art collectors, educators, and others who believed that art should be part of the fabric of the community. The municipal art collection was formally established in 1967 and now includes more than 1,950 total objects (704 municipal and 1250 museum pieces).

In the early 1970s the City commissioned artist Louise Nevelson to create a signature work for Scottsdale. Nevelson's Windows to the West, funded in part by gifts from area residents, received one of the National Endowment for the Arts' first Art in Public Places grants. Prior to the establishment of the public art program, Scottsdale's art collection grew as a direct result of the efforts and generosity of local citizens. School children united to fund a sculptural water fountain near City Hall; the historical society and others collected donations to commission George Ann Tognoni's beloved Yearlings sculpture. The dedication, foresight and vision of local citizens provided a rich legacy of art for present and future generations.

In 1985, the City of Scottsdale established the Scottsdale Public Art Program with the goal to enhance the quality of life for its residents and visitors. The guiding ordinances and funding sources are 1% Art in Public Places and 1% Art in Private Development. Since the inception of those programs, more than 70 permanent artworks and 50 temporary public artworks have been commissioned throughout the community. Scottsdale's program and projects have won local, regional and national awards. Public art has taken many forms ranging from the walls of the Pima Freeway to James Turrell's "skyspace" at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art.

The mission of the Scottsdale Public Art Program is to make Scottsdale one of the most desirable communities in the country in which to live, work and visit by incorporating art and design projects throughout.

The Scottsdale Public Art Program is fully funded by the City of Scottsdale public art ordinances, and managed by the Scottsdale Cultural Council, a private, non-profit 501 (c) (3) management organization that administers the arts and cultural affairs of the City of Scottsdale and also manages the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts and the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art.

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