Phoenix Art Museum has announced six must-see exhibitions opening this fall, showcasing a diverse range of works from emerging Arizona artists to international contemporary clay pieces. Highlights include the 2024 Arizona Artist Awards featuring Safwat Saleem, Elizabeth Z. Pineda, and Omar Soto; "Radical Clay: Contemporary Women Artists From Japan" with 36 Japanese women artists; "Funny Business: Photography and Humor" spanning the history of the medium; and the ongoing "The Collection 1960-now" highlighting overlooked artists. The museum also offers Pay What You Wish Wednesdays for free admission after 3 p.m.
These exhibitions matter because they reflect the museum's commitment to accessibility and community engagement while amplifying underrepresented voices, including women, artists of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals. By blending local emerging talent with international avant-garde works, the museum reinforces its role as a cultural hub in the Southwest, fostering dialogue on identity, migration, humor, and materiality in contemporary art.