Art, dance, music, food and lunchboxes . . . it’s an unusual combination and one that adds up to a delightful experience for those attending the 13th Annual Urban Picnic. On Friday, April 23, 2010, this entertaining picnic luncheon and art auction will be held in the beautiful open-air courtyard gardens of La Encantada Shopping Center in Tucson, Arizona.

As in years past, the Urban Picnic promises to be an exciting gathering for art lovers of every kind. Highlights include a silent auction of juried artwork along with an energetic live auction of one-of-a-kind “lunchboxes” and other artwork by local artists.

The Urban Picnic was originally started as a fundraising event to help save the Temple of Music and Art from demolition. After the successful effort to keep our Temple, the Tucson Arts District Partnership took on the event to raise money in support of local, emerging artists.




Five years ago, the event was passed on to Ballet Tucson as a fundraiser for the organization’s ballet company (the only professional ballet troupe in Southern Arizona). Ballet Tucson supports the community at large with outreach programs that bring ballet lessons to area schools as well as providing school children and families the opportunity to attend live ballet performances free of charge.

Proceeds from the Urban Picnic will benefit Ballet Tucson and BICAS, Tucson’s community education, art and recycling center for bicycles.

Ballet Tucson is pleased to offer secure online ticketing for the 2010 Urban Picnic! Click here to buy now »

Browse the lunchboxes and art for this year's auction below, or click here to learn more about this year's event.

2010 lunchboxes     |    Live Auction     |   Silent Auction