Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance

The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the creation, preservation and advancement of the Arts. SAACA's work strengthens the bonds between people, place and purpose through collaborative, arts-driven experiences.

Southern Arizona has long served as a hub for art and culture. But despite the profusion of talent, our creative individuals found difficulties in making a living from their work and sharing it with the community. We created SAACA to address these needs by cultivating programming that puts a spotlight on our local creatives and celebrates our unique culture, while providing direct opportunities for artists to make and sell their work. To date, SAACA has created over 200,000 arts-driven experiences, from innovative community festivals and cultural celebrations to creative sector development, and accessible arts enrichment programs. We continue to grow both our footprint and our impact as we pursue our mission of strengthening the bonds between people, place and purpose.

CATALYST Creative Collective: The Catalyst Creative Collective is a dynamic community hub designed to inspire and empower collaboration across the creative spectrum. Located within the Tucson Mall, Catalyst spans over 14,000 square feet of versatile space, providing a home for artists, creatives, educators, and cross-sector organizations.

How We Make an Impact:

Events & Festivals – Celebrating arts, music, food, and culture through dynamic community gatherings.

Business & Arts Partnerships – Connecting artists and businesses through innovative branding, live performances, and public art.

CATALYST Creative Collective – A 14,000 sq. ft. space fostering learning, performance, and collaboration across 30+ creative disciplines.

Placemaking – Transforming public spaces with murals and interactive art installations.

Arts & Cultural Resource – Publishing Undercover Arts Magazine to promote 1,300+ artists and arts organizations.

Creative Aging – Partnering with hospitals and senior care facilities to provide free arts programs for older adults.

Testimonials

"Over my seven years at Roche, I have had the pleasure of working with the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance to bring our colleagues quarterly art exhibitions that help fuel their creativity. Recently, our quarterly offerings have evolved to include shows and Catalyst educational programs that are tied directly to our company mission to "improve the lives of all patients affiliated with cancer." The results have been powerful, connecting us to the important schools, nonprofits and patients that we serve." - Darlene Buhrow, Philanthropy & Community Relations Leader, Roche Molecular Solutions

"SAACA has provided our band, Little House of Funk, with the opportunity to connect with our community in meaningful ways. For example, when we perform at the Premium Outlet, young families, seniors, and shoppers from diverse backgrounds sit on the lawn and often dance. Without SAACA, we wouldn't be able to reach such a heterogeneous population. Playing at both the Fountains and the VA offers us a chance to lift spirits and provide a balm to ease the stressors of aging and illness. It is both an honor and a privilege to perform at a SAACA sponsored event." - Connie Brannock, Musician, Community Leader & Veteran

"SAACA, and its physical building CATALYST, have both expanded arts awareness. We can showcase creativity, provide education, build connections, and simply excite the minds of young and old. Raising funds to support numerous artists and their numerous art forms provide the communities that are served increased revitalization. The many strengths of SAACA are the passionate staff, an energetic Board, hundreds of volunteers and the limitless capacity for growth. The combination of hard work, fantastic culinary events, various teaching classes and fun are all a part of SAACA." - Amanda Place, Member, Board of Directors