Alwun House Foundation

Showcasing artists of various cultures & disciplines, providing collaborative opportunities to explore & refine their work. Engaging artists and community to enrich the cultural climate and enhance the quality of life.

Alwun House is Phoenix' premiere downtown gallery and artspace, showcasing Phoenix area creative artists, since 1971. We have showcased and premiered generations of emergent and established exhibiting and performing artists from Phoenix and Arizona. We were founded on the principle of providing individual and collaborative project opportunities, nurturing local talent to explore, refine and promote their work. Alwun House creative activities include gallery/visual artists and performance artists. In our past fiscal year, we presented the works of 872 artists exhibiting in the gallery and performing on our stage(s). We showcased 405 artists on our gallery walls and featured 467 performing artists on our stages. Last fiscal year, we had six Arizona artists exhibit in our gallery from outside the Phoenix metropolitan area.
Alwun House Foundation, a nonprofit arts organization since 1971, is volunteer based. Located in downtown Phoenix' Historic Garfield neighborhood, adjacent to Downtown Core on Roosevelt. Our 1912, 2-story Bungalow and garden stages, is now home for creatives engaging the power of art to transform, strengthen and unify our community. Our mission is to nurture and showcase emerging and established artists of various cultures & disciplines, to explore & refine their work, to provide collaborative opportunities for interdisciplinary artists, and to produce special events that bring together performing artists and community, enriching lives with the cultural experience and enhancing the quality of life. As the legendary hot-bed for emergent creatives, with poets, painters, makers and performances pushing downtown's cutting-edge.
"Alwun House stands as an exemplary model of engaging the power of art to transform lives and transform community. For more than 40 years, the Alwun House foundation has created opportunities for artists, and served as a pivotal beacon in the Garfield community and as a foundation for the downtown Phoenix arts scene. Their work extends across artistic and cultural boundaries, and brings diverse audiences, community members and artists together. Without the pioneering work of Alwun House, much of what is taken for granted in the vibrancy and success of downtown's flourishing arts community would not have been possible."
Governor's Arts Award, 2013.

Testimonials

"Abstract musicians have an opportunity to perform. While our music might not be accessible in many of the clubs and bars, we find a home at Alwun House. AH provides an outlet to perform our music. Stage is equipped with soundsystem, mic's and lights. It provides a place a place to play. Art is an expression of the human spirit - not a commodity based on commercial strength."
Gabriel Bey, Trumpet, band director, producer, Spooky Kool

"Combination of Familiar vibe and professional programming that they offer. The creatives they bring in, always offer wide spectrum of performers that do unique creative stuff. The creatives they bring in, are unique. Bringing in young people and families, people of color, transqueer, visiting curated shows."
Jessie Demaree, Clarinet, Leader of Jerusafunk

"I get to perform shows on this stage. If you haven't seen the Exotic Show, it's a must do. There I was able to talk about a little known national comedian names Rusty Warren. And for the past 3 years we've done a series of Banned Book Readings, in celebration of National Banned Book Week. We had folks come on stage and read a portion of a banned book that was meaningful to them, that was banned for a variety of reasons.
At Alwun you'll find Aritists of all walks of life, getting to express themselves in new ways, and not be tethered. There are often times you're not sure of what you're going to see, but you know it's going to be a good show that you won't be able to see anywhere else in the Valley, but you know it's right here on this stage. That's what makes Alwun House really so unique. This has become such a safe Space for so many people. One of the original art venues right here in the Valley. I love to see it thriving and invite people to read on its stage, and a great entre into the history of the Valley just by being here. What makes Phoenix today? Alwun House is a piece of that."
Marshall Shore, Arizona's Hip Historian, Storyteller, Event Producer

"I'm a lawyer by day, and magician by night. sharing the craft I've honed my skills. Corporate gigs have a set they want, here at Alwun House stage artists are allowed to explore acts a little more. At Alwun House stage opportunity to full blown shows with other performers I'm very happy to have a corner here in phoenix to produce these productions...