First Friday in Phoenix

When it comes to local arts events, Phoenix is packed with activities throughout the year, but the famous First Art Art Walk sponsored by Artlink Phoenix is one of the biggest events in the country.

As the name implies, the event takes place the first Friday of each month from 6 to 10 pm The First Friday features self-guided tours of downtown Phoenix art galleries, studios, and creative spaces and is “dedicated to bringing artists together , to the public and businesses for a greater understanding, appreciation and promotion of the arts and the development of a strong and vital arts community in downtown Phoenix.

Free buses departing from Central Arizona provide service along three different routes through Phoenix’s art districts, but you can hop on at any stop along the way, including the Phoenix Art Museum, CityScape, Unexpected Gallery, and Oasis on Grand. Phoenix First Friday Art Walk typically features 70-100 participants located from Indian School Road to Buchanan Street and from 12th Street to 17th Avenue.

If you’re not yet familiar with First Friday routes, first stop at the Phoenix Art Museum and get a current map. There is usually an ArtLink volunteer available who can answer your questions before you go out to enjoy your Friday night in Phoenix.

Details, dress code and cost

Along with dozens of artist spaces to explore, you’ll also find fun music, lectures, demos, and activities for all ages. There is no way to see it all in one night!

The First Friday event in Downtown Phoenix isn’t about glitz, champagne, or cocktails – it’s about the urban downtown experience, so you don’t have to dress to impress. Artists who live and work downtown exhibit downtown, and thousands of people enjoy what’s on offer during each First Friday event. Several exhibitions sell half of their offerings during these openings.

First Friday may seem complicated if you’ve never done it before, but it’s relatively simple once you know where everything is on the map and understand how to use the free tram and transportation system to get around. The important thing is to know that it takes place every month from 6 to 10 pm, but the last circuit on the tram tour leaves at 9:30.

Tips for visiting the first Friday

First Friday has grown dramatically over the years, which has been great for the downtown Phoenix arts community and local businesses. As a result, navigating this popular monthly event can be a bit challenging. Keep these tips in mind as you visit the Valley of the Sun art districts and you are sure to have a great time on the First Friday Art Walk.

1. There is no possible way to see everything in one trip – four hours just isn’t enough time to go the entire route and see all 70 (or more) artist spaces. However, you can always come back another month to see some that you missed.
2. First Friday attendees are predominantly young, but all ages can be seen browsing the different galleries.
3. Although it started as an art event, several museums and venues with live music and drink specials are also open for the first Friday.
4. Transportation options have varied over the years and sometimes from month to month. Since February 2017, there have been three transportation routes: Grand Avenue, Roosevelt Row / Central, and Warehouse / Downtown, all of which intersect at the Connector Hub in Arizona Center (400 East Van Buren Street).

1. You can park at the Arizona Center and validate your parking for the first two hours for the first Friday trolley rides. If you don’t want to drive, you can use Valley Metro Rail.
2. There are five trolley centers with parking attractions: Phoenix Art Museum (1625 North Central); Oasis on Grand (15th Avenue and Grand Avenue); CityScape (First Street and Washington Street); Downtown Arizona (400 East Van Buren Street) and Unexpected Gallery (734 West Polk Street at Grand Avenue).
3. Tram centers and routes are subject to change. You can park for free at the Phoenix Art Museum, subject to availability. Note that parking meters in Phoenix are not free until after 10pm on Fridays.

1. The shuttles circulate constantly throughout the night, stopping at the hubs at approximately 25-minute intervals. The ferries start at 6pm and are clean and comfortable, with the last loop being at 9:30 pm
2. Crowds tend to be sparser early in the evening, and some galleries can be a bit slow to open, but activity picks up between 7 and 8 p.m.
3. You can get a full First Friday map at the Phoenix Art Museum or shuttle buses, but these tend to sell out later in the evening.
4. There are many cafes and other food stops along the way, some of which may offer special food and drinks to celebrate the event.

1. If you have a scheduled time, or just don’t want to take a shuttle, there are places to park along the street almost everywhere on First Friday routes, but some may have meters.
2. Transportation service reliability and availability vary from year to year, so you can choose to get off in an area with the most galleries and limit the number of times you rely on transportation services.
3. The First Friday is an opportunity for people with political beliefs, condos to sell, petitions to sign, or other information to share and share. If you’re not interested, be polite and say “no thanks.”

1. Many of the works of art that you will see in the many galleries, studios and artist spaces will be for sale. If you would like to purchase a piece of art as a souvenir, please check with the studio or space manager or service staff member during the event.

History of the First Friday Art Walk in Phoenix

During the latter part of the 1980s, there was enormous interest in downtown arts and entertainment that prompted, among other initiatives, the 1988 Bond election, which made possible the new central library, the Arizona Science Center. and the Phoenix History Museum.

This new infusion of energy led to Jackson Street Studios, a deal to accommodate artists displaced by the Talking Stick Resort Arena. Artlink was founded with this energy, and some of the art spaces created during that time, such as Alwun House, live today.

The annual Art Detour, originally designed as a simple open studio tour, was founded in the spring of 1988 and has drawn hundreds of artists and thousands of art lovers to the center each year. Galleries and alternative art spaces open year-round were joined by music venues, cafes, and individual artist studios, and during the 1990s Artlink decided to host this at the First Friday event.

In 1998, there were only 13 spaces open on the first Friday night of each month, but since then the event has expanded to include up to 100 galleries, studios and artist spaces during the busiest times of the year. Now there are even attractions and venues opening their doors for free as part of the First Friday Art Walk.