Patron Updates

SUMMER PARKING UPDATE – June 3, 2022

Phase 1B of the Margaret T. Hance Park Revitalization Project begun this week. Part of the project includes joint maintenance of the concrete joints of the freeway deck park tunnel to prevent leaks into the underpass. The work requires portions of the parking lot just north of Phoenix Center for the Arts to be fenced off throughout the summer.

The maintenance schedule provided by the City of Phoenix states:

  • The north half of our parking lot (noted by the purple box in the graphic) will be restricted between 5/31 – 7/19
  • The south half of our parking lot (noted by the blue box in the graphic) will be restricted between 7/22 – 8/16.

The Phoenix Center for the Arts buildings will still be accessible to our students, Teachings Artists, and Resident Organizations throughout this time, with limited parking spaces available.

If the option is available, we recommend using public transportation or carpooling during the summer months. Limited additional public parking is available on the south side of Phoenix Center for the Arts on E. Moreland St.

For more information on the Margaret T. Hance Park Revitalization Project visit:

www.phoenix.gov/parks/hancerevitalization

We appreciate your patience during this time, and look forward to making some art with you this summer!


HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE – May 2, 2022

At Phoenix Center for the Arts and Thunderbird Arts Center the health and safety of our patrons, teaching artists, and staff is incredibly important to us. In accordance with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations, the Center acknowledges the most effective way to protect yourself and others is by getting vaccinated and staying up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines.

Beginning on May 16, 2022, coinciding with the start of summer semester classes, Phoenix Center for the Arts and Thunderbird Arts Center will no longer require masks to be worn by vaccinated individuals who enter the facility.

As defined by the CDC, people are considered fully vaccinated:

  • 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
  • 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine

For unvaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals, children ages 2 and under, individuals who are at high-risk, or someone who is caring for an individual at high-risk, Phoenix Center for the Arts strongly recommends the continued use of masks and protective facial coverings that cover the nose and mouth while inside all Center facilities.

To accommodate Teaching Artists and Resident Organizations that have requested to maintain the mask requirement for their classrooms and office spaces, mask requirements for those classes will be stated in the class description, or outside the offices of those organizations.

Signed Student Agreements will continue to be collected on the first day of all in-person classes at Phoenix Center for the Arts and Thunderbird Arts Center to maintain the “Feel Sick, Stay Home” policies of reporting and quarantine. To review the complete Health & Safety Policy, visit our Health & Safety page at https://phoenixcenterforthearts.org/health-safety/


UPDATE – December 22, 2021

Happy Holiday Season Patrons!

As we come to the close of another art filled year, we are so thankful to have the support of all our wonderful students, volunteers, teaching artists, and donors each and every year. Seeing the art that you create inspires us to continue providing arts and culture opportunities to all.

Our spring 2022 semester of art classes begins January 3 at both our Downtown and North Phoenix campuses. We have all your favorite classes and a few new ones, so hurry up and register today to save your spot!

An update on the Centers’ mask requirements for both campuses this spring: We continue to monitor both the local and national data regarding Covid-19 and emerging variants. The Center’s Mask Policy will remain in place for the 2022 spring semester for both Phoenix Center for the Arts Downtown and Thunderbird Arts Center in North Phoenix. To see how the Center is continuing to consider the health and safety of our community, you can review our health and safety protocols.

Phoenix Center for the Arts is truly a community resource for every citizen of Phoenix and its surrounding neighborhoods. Students of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences participate in our classes and programs, and together we continue to provide a safe space, where all are welcome to “make something”!


UPDATE – August 24, 2021

Hello Patrons!

We are looking forward to having students at both our Downtown and North Phoenix campuses this fall. Registration for in-studio, on location, and online classes for both campuses is currently open! Take a look at all our classes at phoenixcenterforthearts.org/classes.

An update on the Centers’ mask requirements for both campuses this fall: On July 28, 2021 the City of Phoenix updated their requirements for mask coverings within City of Phoenix buildings based on updated CDC guidance regarding indoor masking in communities with substantial or high virus transmission rates.

As both Phoenix Center for the Arts and Thunderbird Arts Center are City of Phoenix facilities, mask coverings will continue to be required while on either campus or attending classes.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to consider the health and safety of our community when updating our health and safety protocols.


UPDATE – July 23, 2021

Greetings Patrons, Students, and Supporters!

We have some exciting updates for the Fall 2021 Semester.

This fall we will be reopening the Phoenix Center for the Arts Performing Arts Building and Third Street Theater, as well as Thunderbird Arts Center! Class sizes will also return to their previous capacity for fall (typically 12 students maximum). Registration for these additional spots will open on Monday, July 26, 2021.

Beginning Monday, August 30th, and until further notice, masks and face coverings, as well as physical distancing protocols, will no longer be required for those who are fully vaccinated*.

* As defined by the CDC, people are considered fully vaccinated:

  • 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
  • 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine

Masks/face coverings will still be required of individuals who are not fully vaccinated. And, of course, anyone who feels more comfortable using masks/face coverings in class is welcome to continue doing so. Students will still be asked to follow health and safety protocols while on site (e.g. handwashing, sanitizing workstations and tools, etc.).

For the remainder of the Summer Semester, we are committed to honoring our current Summer Semester Student Agreement policies, including a mask requirement for all, regardless of vaccination status, as well as physical distancing requirements with reduced classroom capacity. This covers all classes currently in session through August 29th.

Keep a look out for more fall classes added to the schedule at both Centers in the coming weeks. Online and Outdoor classes will continue to be offered this fall and beyond, as we continue to expand our programming to serve the needs of our community.

Thank you! We look forward to seeing you at the Center.


UPDATE – July 1, 2021

Greetings Patrons,

Writing today with a brief update: Phoenix Center for the Arts’ Student Agreement, including student mask and physically distancing requirements, will remain in place throughout the Summer Semester, regardless of an individual’s vaccination status.

Please stay tuned for updates to this policy in the coming months. We appreciate your patience, kindness, and consideration.

Registration for both Summer Art Classes and Fall Art Classes are open, and classes are filling quickly! Sign up for you favorite class soon to reserve a spot https://phoenixcenterforthearts.org/classes

As always, we are continually grateful for your flexibility and support as we navigate these changes in our community together.


UPDATE – June 9, 2021

Fall registration has opened for Members, and classes are filling fast! To become a members, call Phoenix Center for the Arts at (602) 254-3100 or visit phoenixcenterforthearts.org/support/membership/ for access to register early.

Summer art classes for Session 2 are also getting ready to start at the end of this month. We have a few spaces available in our Painting & Drawing, Photography, Glass Fusing, and even is some Ceramics classes. View all available classes at phoenixcenterforthearts.org/classes/.

On May 18, the Phoenix City Council voted to adopt the CDC mask recommendations announced that month. While the vote lifted the mask mandate for Phoenix businesses to decide if they want to implement their own mask requirements; According to a statement released by the City of Phoenix Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management on May 19, “Currently, the city manager requires masks inside any city facilities which includes City Hall, libraries and offices

As a City of Phoenix facility, Phoenix Center for the Arts will continue to keep its mask policy for all staff and Patrons in compliance with the city managers’ requirements. Patrons can review the Centers’ Health & Safety Policy at phoenixcenterforthearts.org/health-safety/ for more details.

We are truly thankful for everyone’s continued patience and understanding during these ever changing times, and for your continued support of Phoenix Center for the Arts.


UPDATE – May 15, 2021

As the Center prepares to welcome back students for Session 1 of summer art classes on May 17, we’re excited to share that the front desk in the Performing Arts Building (PAB) will again be staffed! You can expect to see staff or volunteers from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. The front door to the PAB will remain locked, and entry will be allowed by appointment only, or for (fully masked) students wishing to register in person for future classes.

We understand much has changed regarding health and safety recommendations from the CDC regarding fully vaccinated individuals. As the City of Phoenix mask mandate remains in effect, Phoenix Center for the Arts will continue its mask requirement for all Patrons. We will continue to monitor any changes to this policy, and share any updates that impact classes at the Center.

For now, masks are still required for all, regardless of vaccination status, at this time. Please remember to wear an appropriate face covering/mask that completely covers the entire nose and mouth at all times on campus.

Thunderbird Arts Center will remain closed to the public through the summer months. Stay tuned for updates on expanded programming and events this Fall, including the return of the Phoenix Festival of the Arts on December 11 & 12! Artist vendor applications are open now!


UPDATE – April 19, 2021

Greetings Friends & Supporters,

Summer art classes open for registration on April 19, 2021 at 9 a.m. Summer classes begin May 17, and will feature a variety of multi-week courses, as well as one-day and two-day workshops.

Our awesome Teaching Artists will continue to offer both in-person and online class options. For details on what to expect with in-person classes at the Center, please read the Health & Safety Protocols. Don’t forget, all students taking in-person classes are required to sign the Student Agreement before attending classes.

Early registration discounts for Virtual Summer Arts Camp are available now through April 30! Register a creative camper today for a fun, multi-arts experience, happening June 7 through August 6 – phoenixcenterforthearts.org/summer-camp

We’re looking forward to spending an art filled summer with you!

Thunderbird Arts Center will remain closed through the Summer Semester, as we continue to monitor local conditions. We appreciate your understanding and support as we consider the safest path forward to reopen all facilities for the future.


UPDATE – March 31, 2021

Hello Patrons!

Summer is getting closer, and as the temperatures rise, you can stay cool by signing up for adult and youth art classes or Summer Arts Camp!

Summer Arts Camp is open for registration now! This year, the camp will be a virtual experience designed for activating our homes to become centers of creativity. Register your camper now at https://phoenixcenterforthearts.org/summer-camp

Our Summer art class sessions open for registration April 19, 2021 at 9 a.m., and will feature a variety of offerings. To check out which classes are available in advance of registration, download the Summer Class Catalog.

For all in-person classes, Phoenix Center for the Arts’ existing Student Agreement and Health & Safety Protocols will continue to remain in place. This includes the mask requirements – covering the nose and mouth, at all times while on campus, including in our outdoor courtyard classes – even if an individual has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

We will continue to evaluate this policy in the coming months as more data becomes available. We truly appreciate your support of the Center, and the safety of fellow students, teaching artists, and staff, as we continue to prioritize the health and safety of everyone at Phoenix Center for the Arts.


UPDATE – March 4, 2021

We are ready to “spring” back into in-person classes at the Phoenix Center for the Arts beginning March 8, 2021. Visit our Adult Classes and Youth Classes pages to register for in-person, outdoor, and online classes today!

Health & Safety Protocols previously established at the Center will continue to be in place for Spring classes. We’ve also expanded our sanitization procedures with an additional Electrostatic Sprayer cleaning routine.

Prior to arriving for in-person and outdoor classes, students are required to sign the Student Agreement, which details the Centers’ rules and regulations for the health and safety of everyone at the Center.

The Phoenix Center for the Arts Performing Arts Building, Third Street Theater, and Thunderbird Arts Center will remain closed to the public through the month of May.

We are grateful for your continued support and look forward to seeing you all in March!


UPDATE – February 19, 2021

Greetings, Friends & Supporters,

March is around the corner and we are getting ready to start our second session of spring classes! Our outdoor photography classes were a great hit and we are looking forward to bringing you more outdoor options, including outdoor painting at the Center! Visit the Outdoor Art Classes page to sign up for a class today.

We’re constantly adding new classes, for online, outdoor, and in-person. Stay in the know by signing up for our E-Newsletter to receive updates, announcements, and invitations to our classes, programs, and events.

The Center is still monitoring the data from the Maricopa County Department of Public Health for local conditions. We are hopeful, and encouraged by the continuing improvement in numbers for all data points.

Your continued support throughout this time has meant so much to our volunteers, teaching artists, staff, and board. We are continually humbled and grateful for your kindness and dedicated to our arts community.


UPDATE – February 2, 2021

Greetings Friends,

We’re one month into 2021, and getting ready to kick off our first Outdoor Art Classes next week on February 9 with photography workshops at the Desert Botanical Gardens in English and Spanish!

Outdoor classes will continue in March with Painting classes at The Center, and we are constantly adding new class opportunities for students to come together in safe, creative spaces. Don’t forget to Register for all Spring Classes, in-person, online, and outdoors! Early registration is recommended, as classes fill quickly.

Health and safety benchmarks, established by our leadership, are still being monitored on a weekly basis, looking at Maricopa County Department of Public Health data for local conditions.

We’re so thankful for your enthusiasm and willingness to engage in the arts with us in new and innovative ways, and are grateful for your unwavering support!


UPDATE – January 15, 2021

Greetings Patrons,

We hope you have been enjoying a happy and healthy new year. As we look forward to 2021, we are excited to expand upon our class offerings, and develop new ways for our supporters to engage with the arts.

This February and March, Phoenix Center for the Arts is adding Outdoor Art Classes to the schedule! Staff and teaching artists have arranged socially distanced, in-person opportunities that offer students another option to come together in a safe, creative space outside.

In-person Health & Safety Protocols will be in place for outdoor classes. We are continuing to monitor Maricopa County Department of Public Health data for local conditions on a weekly basis, with health and safety benchmarks established by our leadership.

Registration for all Spring Classes, in-person, online, and outdoors is open! Early registration is recommended, as classes fill quickly. Thunderbird Arts Center will remain closed through the Spring Semester, but you can still take classes with your favorite T-bird instructors online or at PCA.

We are confident that with the continued support of our students, members, teaching artists, volunteers, and board, we’ll have an exemplary year dedicated to supporting the arts in our community!


UPDATE – December 29, 2020

We appreciate all of the patience and understanding of our students, and supporters during this difficult year. The health and safety of our patrons, artists, and staff, is of the utmost importance to us.

After reviewing the recent data reported by the Maricopa County Department of Public Health Administration, in-person classes beginning in January will be canceled at Phoenix Center for the Arts. We are looking into transitioning those classes to our virtual platforms where available. Students, please look for an email with instructions on how to donate, credit, or refund your in-person Spring 2021class payments.

Registration for January online classes, and March in-person and online classes is still moving ahead. And we look forward to a brighter and healthier year, when we can all create, encourage, and grow together again!

We are thankful for everyone’s support! We wish you and your loved ones a happy and healthy new year!


UPDATE – December 15, 2020

Greetings, Friends and Supporters,

We are missing you and hope that you are well, staying safe and healthy.

Phoenix Center for the Arts and Thunderbird Arts Center will remain closed to the public through the month of December as we continue to do our part to aid in community health and safety. We have prepared a wonderful offering of in-person and online classes with our amazing teaching artists for our Spring 2021 Semester. Registration is open, and we are excited to make something with you all soon.

We are continuing to monitor Maricopa County Department of Public Health Administration data, for local conditions on a weekly basis. With improved conditions, and our implemented Health & Safety Protocols, we look forward to welcoming everyone back to the Center in 2021.

We are grateful for your continued support throughout this year!


UPDATE – December 1, 2020:

Greetings, Patrons,

We are grateful for your support during these unprecedented times. After careful consideration of current Maricopa County Department of Public Health Administration data, Phoenix Center for the Arts has made the difficult decision to cancel the remainder of Fall in-person classes. All students should have received an email with options for a credit/donation/refund.

We will continue to monitor and assess the situation weekly. With health and safety benchmarks established by our board of directors and staff, we plan to reopen with in-person and online classes for the Spring 2021 semester.

We appreciate your patience and understanding. To our students, teaching artists, resident organizations – Thank you! We will get through this together!


UPDATE – October 19, 2020:

We are excited to welcome our students back to Phoenix Center for the Arts for in-person art classes starting this November! We’re taking it slow and offering a handful of thoughtfully curated classes with our amazing Teaching Artists.

Download the Fall In-Person Class Catalogue and visit our department webpages to sign up today! Early registration is recommended as class sizes have been reduced for safety.

What to expect when returning to PCA?
The health and safety of our patrons is incredibly important to us. At this time, only the Visual Arts Building will be open to the public for fall classes. Prior to arriving for in-person classes, students are required to sign our new Student Agreement, which details new rules and regulations we have adopted to aid in health and safety efforts.

Read more about our Health & Safety Measures here: https://phoenixcenterforthearts.org/health-safety/

The Phoenix Center for the Arts Performing Arts Building, Third Street Theater, and Thunderbird Arts Center will remain closed to the public through the month of November. Please sign up for our e-mail list, or continue to check this page for additional updates and programming announcements.

We are grateful for your continued support!


UPDATE – September 25, 2020:

We miss you so much, and hope to see you again soon!

Our virtual classes are in full-swing, continuing through the Fall. Check them out at https://phoenixcenterforthearts.org/online. Thank you for your continued interest in participating in remote arts learning opportunities. We are happy to be able to provide these services with the help of our extremely talented teaching artists. (Thank you, teaching artists!) We highly encourage you to take an online class if you have not yet had the pleasure.

Phoenix Center for the Arts and Thunderbird Arts Center will remain closed to the public through the month of October. Please stay tuned for updates on additional programming this Fall, both virtual, and in-person, including outdoor classes!


UPDATE – August 18, 2020:

Phoenix Center for the Arts and Thunderbird Arts Center will remain closed to the public through the months of August & September. The health and safety of our community – patrons, teaching artists, staff, and resident organizations – is of the utmost importance to us. We plan to reevaluate this timeline in late September and will make another announcement then.

We hope you will stay connected and engaged with us online by participating in one (or more) of our live, interactive virtual art classes. Keeping the creativity flowing is a great way to bring a new perspective and energy to our daily routine.

Thank you for your ongoing support. For the most up-to-date information, please sign up for our e-mail list, or continue to check this page for updates.


UPDATE – June 19, 2020:

Greetings, Friends and Supporters,

We hope that you are well, staying safe and healthy. The teams at Phoenix Center for the Arts and Thunderbird Arts Center remain dedicated to providing opportunities for the community to stay creative and connected to one another.

Our facilities will remain closed to the public through the months of July and August, as we attempt to do our part to aid in community health and wellness. We encourage you to stay connected and engaged with us online by participating in one (or more) of our 50+ live, interactive virtual art classes.

Thank you for your ongoing support.


UPDATE – May 7, 2020:

Greetings, Phoenix Center for the Arts & Thunderbird Arts Center Patrons and Supporters!

Thank you for your continued support over the past several weeks. We definitely miss seeing all of our favorite people in person, but have been fortunate to stay connected with many of our instructors and residents online.

We launched our first new live interactive online art class this week, a 4-week sewing workshop that teaches medical mask-making techniques. Masks made in this class are being donated to local hospitals with whom we have partnered. We also have three youth/teen online theatre classes launching next week!

By mid-May we will have dozens more online class offerings available from all of your favorite teachers, including new and unique course offerings that we’ve never been able to offer before. Keep checking your email for those announcements!

Our live online programs provide an opportunity to connect with classmates and teaching artists face to face, giving students that special, one-on-one experience you’ve come to expect from Phoenix Center for the Arts, and the chance to connect and collaborate with friends.

By enrolling in our online classes with Phoenix Center for the Arts & Thunderbird Arts Center, you can support your favorite local teaching artists, while making an investment in the future of Phoenix Center for the Arts and Thunderbird Arts Center.

As a matter of public safety, Phoenix Center for the Arts and Thunderbird Arts Center facility closures will officially extend through the month of May.

The primary focus of our organization is the health and safety of our patrons, and we continue to evaluate the situation on a weekly basis. Please continue to check our Patron Updates page for the most up-to-date information.

Please stay tuned for information about new and modified Summer Classes, coming next week.

Thank you for your support!


UPDATE – April 30, 2020:

Phoenix Center for the Arts & Thunderbird Arts Center facilities remain closed to the public. If you have registered for a Summer Class scheduled to begin the week of May 11th, you will be contacted the week of May 4th with more information about your class. Thank you!

UPDATE – March 30, 2020:

Greetings, Students!

I hope that you are all doing well and staying creative and connected while we are apart. We miss you! If you haven’t participated in #phxartbreak on Facebook or Instagram yet, we encourage you to check it out.

Phoenix Center for the Arts & Thunderbird Arts Center staff continues to work remotely, to create artistic content that is both engaging and inspirational, while also planning for the Summer and Fall Semesters ahead.

Closure update:

Due to continued safety measures put in place by the City, Phoenix Center for the Arts and Thunderbird Arts Center closures will extend through the month of April. As a result, Spring Classes that had not yet begun and Spring Classes that were already in progress, are officially canceled. We truly apologize for the interruption in your class experience and will continue to look for ways to bring artistic opportunities to you virtually in the coming month.

This extended closure deeply impacts teaching artists and all those who work in the gig-based economy. As a small nonprofit organization, we are also heavily impacted across the board, but are trying to do our part to keep the creative community thriving until we can reopen in full force by continuing to compensate our teaching artists throughout the closure as long as we are able.

We are asking our students and supporters for vital support at this time. Ways to support the Center include:

Make a one-time or recurring tax-deductible gift to Phoenix Center for the Arts.

Purchase a gift card for yourself or a loved one.

Register early for a Summer Class at phoenixcenterforthearts.org

Engage with us online. Help share our posts and extend our network as we look for creative ways to keep things going.  

What does this mean for the Spring Classes you were enrolled in?

If you are a student enrolled in a Spring Class already in progress or that had yet to officially begin, we suggest the following options:

  1. Donation:
    “Please consider the remaining value of my class tuition to be a tax-deductible donation to the Center, to assist the Center in continuing to pay my instructor.” We have itemized the value of each class currently running and would be happy to provide a tax receipt for your generous gift.
  2. Account Credit:
    “Please credit my MindBody account for the value of missed classes.”

Please use the Google Form below to select which option works best for you.
Again, we encourage you to support local artists through these unprecedented times, and are grateful for your flexibility. If we do not hear back from you within 14 days (by April 12th), we will consider your remaining class value to be a donation to the Center. Thank you so much for your support during this crucial time.

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR PREFERENCE

The Summer Semester is still scheduled to begin May 11. Registration is now open.

Summer Camp will begin the first week of June. Registration for Thunderbird Camp is open now. Downtown Camp registration coming soon.

You are an important part of the Phoenix Center for the Arts and Thunderbird Arts Center family, and we look forward to seeing you again soon. Thank you for your support!


UPDATE – March 17, 2020:

Greetings, Patrons!

As mentioned last week, we have made the decision to temporarily suspend classes, programs, and events scheduled at Phoenix Center for the Arts and Thunderbird Arts Center, as well as offsite, beginning Saturday, March 14. We do plan to reopen on April 1, but will continue to monitor and assess the situation daily.

At this time, both Centers still intend to provide makeup classes, to be added on to the end of the spring semester.

We have been working diligently throughout the weekend with our board of directors, teaching artists, and resident organizations to thoughtfully plan for the future. We appreciate your patience through this temporary closure and look forward to seeing you again soon.

UPDATE – March 13, 2020:

After careful consideration and upon recommendation from the City of Phoenix Parks & Recreation Department, we have made the decision to temporarily suspend classes, programs, and events scheduled at Phoenix Center for the Arts and Thunderbird Arts Center, as well as offsite, beginning Saturday, March 14. We will plan to reopen on April 1, but will continue to monitor and assess the situation daily.

We are looking into the possibility of hosting some of our programs online/virtually, like Creative Writing and Painting. Please consider participating in the poll (link below) to let us know if you are interested in this option.

ONLINE CLASSES POLL

We will make every effort to reschedule missed classes. Please stay tuned for more information.

Above all, we value our Phoenix Center for the Arts and Thunderbird Arts Center community, and will continue to look for ways to keep the creativity thriving.

Thank you for your support!


UPDATE – March 10, 2020:

The following is a quick update about additional protocols we are putting into place to ensure continued safety in our art centers, specifically related to those who have recently traveled on a cruise or traveled internationally:

1. Anyone returning from a cruise will be required to work remotely for 14 additional calendar days before returning to work at Phoenix Center for the Arts or Thunderbird Arts Center. Similarly, students returning from a cruise are asked not to return to the Center for 14 days after returning. Please reach out to Center staff to coordinate makeup classes if you have recently traveled on a cruise.

2. This same protocol is in effect for anyone traveling to and returning home from any of the countries on the CDC’s Level 2 List (Japan) and Level 3 List (China, Iran, Italy and South Korea). Please let staff know and refrain from returning to the Center for 14 days upon your return.

Additional recommendations from the CDC regarding travel:

• The CDC recommends travelers, particularly those with underlying health issues, defer all cruise ship travel at this time. Cruise ship passengers are at increased risk of person-to-person spread of infectious diseases, including COVID-19.
• Older adults and travelers with underlying health issues should avoid situations that put them at increased risk for more severe disease. This entails avoiding crowded places, avoiding non-essential travel such as long plane trips, and especially avoiding embarking on cruise ships.
• Please check out the following link for more information on CDC TRAVEL ADVICE.

Thank you.


Dear Phoenix Center for the Arts & Thunderbird Arts Center Students & Patrons,

Providing you with a brief, but important update regarding considerations we’ve taken on both of our campuses, in response to recent coronavirus, COVID-19, updates.

Our primary focus is to stay current of all updates from the CDC, while maintaining clean and safe spaces for creativity and community collaboration.

Phoenix Center for the Arts and Thunderbird Arts Center are currently following the recommendations from the CDC and the Arizona Department of Health Services.

Implementation steps:

  1. Students, patrons, volunteers, staff, and instructors who are ill or experiencing acute respiratory illness symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath need to stay home, and should not return to the Center until they are symptom-free, without medication, for at least 24 hours. We will do our best to accommodate make-up classes as needed.
  2. Our custodial crew is maintaining their routine cleaning and disinfecting, and we are stationing disinfectant wipes in all classrooms. Please continue to wipe down surfaces before each use.
  3. Personal cleaning products (hand sanitizer, soap, and paper towels) are stocked in restrooms and throughout our facilities.
  4. We are posting signage throughout our facilities with CDC-recommended hand washing instructions, and reminders to stay home if you are sick.
  5. We are asking that you notify the Center if you become a person under investigation. (Please click here for details about evaluating and reporting persons under investigation for COVID-19.)

Additional tips for students, patrons, volunteers, staff, and instructors:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash or sanitize your hands. If no tissue is available, use elbows to cover coughs and sneezes (do not use hands).
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
  • Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask:
    – CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
    – Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and care takers.
  • Wash your hands often and vigorously with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
  • If you travel often, CDC has specific guidance for travelers here.
  • It is currently flu season, so get your flu vaccine if you haven’t already.

In the event of a community spread of COVID-19, Phoenix Center for the Arts and Thunderbird Arts Center will communicate those updates to patrons via email, we will also be posting these updates on the new Patron Updates page found on the top menu bar of our website. We highly recommend visiting the website for the latest updates before you come to either of our facilities.

We will continue to monitor the situation and heed the advice of public health officials.

Thank you. We appreciate your help keeping our facilities clean and safe.