Spring in Phoenix brings no shortage of social events, but few carry the cultural cachet and community impact of the annual gala at Phoenix Art Museum. In 2026, The pARTy in the Garden returns on April 10, transforming the Museum’s Dorrance Sculpture Garden into an elegant evening affair, followed by The afterpARTy, a high-energy celebration that keeps the night alive well past sunset.
Running from 6 to 9 p.m., the gala invites more than 400 of the Valley’s community leaders, philanthropists, and arts advocates to gather in support of the Museum’s exhibitions and education programs. The evening blends sophistication and creativity, with an exclusive exhibition viewing, cocktail hour, seated dinner, dessert and dancing beneath the stars.
This year’s event is chaired by Catherine and Jim Tuton alongside Matthew Boland and Chris Greulich, and will honor Mike and Lee Cohn, whose longstanding dedication to the Museum has helped shape its impact across the region. Their contributions include the creation of the Sette/Cohn Artist Award, a five-year initiative designed to deepen community engagement and support Arizona artists through the Museum’s annual awards program.
At the heart of the evening is an exclusive viewing of Florentine Baroque: The Haukohl Collection. As the first exhibition of its kind in Arizona, it brings together paintings and sculptures from the largest collection of Florentine Baroque art outside of Italy. The exhibition traces the creative evolution of Florence while spotlighting the cultural influence of the Medici Grand Dukes during the Renaissance and Baroque periods, offering guests a chance to step into centuries of artistic mastery without leaving the desert.
“The pARTy and The afterpARTy are among our most anticipated annual celebrations that provide vital support for the exhibitions and programs that make PhxArt a cultural anchor in our community,” said CEO Jeremy Mikolajczak, the Museum’s Sybil Harrington Director. “This year’s gala celebrates a milestone, an exhibition that brings iconic artworks from across the centuries to our community. We look forward to welcoming guests for an evening that makes world-class exhibitions like Florentine Baroque possible, while strengthening our mission to inspire and engage audiences across the Valley.”
As the formal gala winds down, the energy ramps up. From 9 p.m. to midnight, The afterpARTy opens its doors to a broader crowd, offering a stylish, late-night experience complete with live music, dancing, craft cocktails and bites. The event draws a dynamic mix of young professionals, artists, and creatives, all coming together for a night that feels equal parts cultural and celebratory
Beyond the glamour, the evening serves a deeper purpose. Proceeds support exhibitions and visual arts education as well as the Museum’s extensive free-access initiatives, which provide an average of 30 hours of free admission each month; totaling more than $1 million annually in access for visitors of all ages. The 2026 pARTy in the Garden and afterpARTy stand as a testament to Phoenix’s growing cultural scene, and a reminder that great art is best experienced together. Learn more at phxart.org.
