Pluto was discovered here. Our biggest museum was founded by an artist and a scientist. Our unique setting on the Colorado Plateau and our residents inspires us to not only discover but to create – create art, cultural experiences, and community.

Boundless creativity, fearlessness in trying new things, and the desire to share the wonders of the world are hallmarks of Flagstaff. To us, discovery is an art. Creative expression and the creative process help us see and share.

Flagstaff’s has a strong scientific legacy that is part of its cultural DNA. For example, in 2019, Flagstaff celebrated the 50th anniversary of the moon landing and its contributions to what we now call the “Lunar Legacy.” This celebration took over the community from moon-themed cocktails at local restaurants to Apollo 16 Lunar Module Pilot General Charlie Duke giving the keynote presentation “To the Moon and Beyond” for the Festival of Science.

Flagstaff is not afraid of challenging questions. It’s no wonder with so many artists, makers, scientists, and thinkers within our community.

Throughout history, we’ve embraced big ideas that have enriched our community and led the way for others to follow. For example, Flagstaff is the world’s first International Dark Sky Place. Since receiving the designation in 2001, over 130 communities and places around the world have followed.

Today, we are faced with new opportunities to be leaders. Already, our City is taking bold action on climate change, transportation, and housing. Our ideas-based institutions are ushering in a new era of research and discovery. Together as a community we are taking more decisive action to address cultural inequity.

Ideas challenge us & move us forward, which is why a coalition of organizations and community leaders are coming together around the proposed Dark Sky Arts & Ideas Festival.

In 2020, the Viola Awards introduced the Excellence in STEAM category to honor projects, organizations, and people with significant interdisciplinary contributions to our community in 2020. Since its introduction, astronomer Chris Luginbuhl for the NightVisions exhibition, Educator David Krassner & Artist Shawn Skabelund for Ancient Waters which collaborated with Coconino High School AP Environmental Science Students, Tynkertopia for the distribution of STEAM kits during the pandemic, Parched: The Art of Water in the Southwest, and more have been recognized.

Some of Flagstaff’s best ideas unite art and science because of our region’s rich scientific legacy. Art helps us communicate and understand complex ideas. And, the freedom to explore and create leads to unimaginable discovery.