Scottsdale League for the Arts (SLA) is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, volunteer organization of accomplished men and women who support artists, arts programs and arts education through fundraising and special events. In order to offer continuous value and assistance to the arts, the League awards all net funds raised to a variety of arts focused organizations through a grants program. The SLA was originally formed in 1978 as the Men’s League of the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts with a mission to raise funds for capital improvements to the Performing Arts Center. The first Scottsdale Culinary Festival was held in the atrium of the facility where it stayed for many years until its growing popularity led to a move outdoors. In 1992, SLA, together with the Arts in Education Council and the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, began providing support for arts education in the public schools of Scottsdale Unified School District. In 2002, the SLA broadened the scope of the grants program and instituted a formal grants process to increase our impact in the arts community. In all, we have given out more than $4 million to non-profit arts entities throughout Maricopa County.