Arts & Museums

Chandler is a hub for arts and culture activities offering a diverse array of activities.  The Chandler Center for the Arts plays host to a variety of performing arts, music performance in addition to museums, gallery exhibitions, public art, festivals, and more to fill your desire for learning more about the local arts and culture scene.

• Located in south Chandler at the Bashas' headquarters, the Zelma Basha Salmeri Gallery of Western American and American Indian Art is a must see while in Chandler with over 3,000 pieces of art. The gallery highlights contemporary western American art and American Indian art and admission is free.

• Located across the street from Chandler Fashion Center and based at the McCullough-Price House, is the Chandler Museum , offering rotating national and regional exhibits and continue to serve as a research and archive center for Chandler's history and cultural heritage. The museum also offers events throughout the year that explore the region's agricultural roots at Tumbleweed Ranch which features a 1917 home, a historic grocery store, and vintage farm equipment.

• Chandler has a dynamic public art program representing its rich, cultural diversity. While Downtown Chandler has a large collection of public art, Chandler's vast array of public art is showcased in City buildings, parks and public spaces throughout the community. Click here to download a map of Chandler's public art and plan your visit.

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• Train lovers of all ages will enjoy a visit to Chandler's very own Arizona Railway Museum which is home to vintage rail cars used in bygone eras. The museum acquires, preserves, and displays rail cars used during train travel's heydays. Among the displays are a Santa Fe caboose, an Alaska RR dining car, and Southern Railway Business Car. Every year, the Arizona Railway Museum participates in National Train Day each May.

• Chandler art galleries showcasing local, regional and national artists include the Vision Gallery and Chandler Center for the Arts, both located in Downtown Chandler.

• The Chandler Center for the Arts offers superb acoustics for viewing a variety of live performances within walking distance to Downtown Chandler's unique restaurants and nightlife.

• Located near Chandler, the Huhugam Heritage Center is situated on the Gila River Museum and is a tribal facility for the preservation and display of important cultural artifacts and art.  The Huhugam Heritage Center is a climate-controlled repository for prehistoric and historic artifacts, cultural materials and vital records. The museum displays these materials to the public, and is a space to exhibit traveling art and history shows.

In addition to Chandler's primary attractions, there are many Chandler events that celebrate Chandler's unique cultural heritage.

• A local favorite, each fall, C.A.L.L.E. de Arizona produces the annual Chandler Mariachi Festival at the Chandler Center for the Arts.

• In November, discover the rich history of the original food truck as Chandler honors the history of the chuck wagon with a unique culinary competition that combines the tastes, smells, and sounds of the Old West. Teams work from authentic 1880-style chuck wagons to cook five courses: bread, beans, meat, potatoes, and dessert. The Chandler Chuck Wagon Festival is a two-day event perfect for all ages.