Step Gallery

Step Gallery, currently located in the renovated Grant Street Studios building in downtown Phoenix, had its start as a “mystery” gallery which would appear at different locations throughout Tempe and became a regular exhibition space by the mid-1990s. 

Along with the Harry Wood Gallery, this gallery serves first as a venue for Master of Fine Arts thesis exhibitions, which represent one of the requirements for the fulfillment of the MFA degree under School of Art and Graduate Education procedures. Each exhibition must undergo an oral thesis defense before a committee of select School of Art faculty. 

Step Gallery accepts exhibition proposals, which allows undergraduates, graduates, alumni and faculty unique curatorial and exhibition opportunities. These may include group shows mounted by different concentration areas within the school; alumni, current student, or faculty exhibitions; and exhibitions organized in cooperation with campus galleries, conference organizers or other fine art organizations. Exhibition proposals are solicited from the School of Art community and reviewed by the Gallery Advisory Committee, which is made up of a rotating group of faculty members and local arts professionals. 

As part of the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, Step Gallery hosts exhibitions of artworks in which the content, subject matter or themes may challenge the sensibilities, perceptions and beliefs of some individuals. Please exercise discretion when choosing to view the works and preview for children.