The Heard Museum is a museum dedicated to the Native American Art and Culture. It is situated in the city of Phoenix, Arizona.
The Heard museum is nonetheless an embodiment of art, culture and a celebration of life as a whole. Intensive collections, exquisite exhibitions and awesome festivals make Heard museum a must-visit destination in Arizona.
It also seeks to educate the public about the authentic culture and art of the Native people especially ones belonging to the Southwest.
There are two branches namely the Heard Museum North Scottsdale branch located in Scottsdale and the Heard Museum west branch in Surprise
Getting There
The Heard Museum happens to be situated on Central Avenue, exactly four blocks north from McDowell Road.
This museum can be reached via I-10 heading west as well as I-10 heading east. Further information and maps are available on the official website.
Heard Museum History
The history of Heard Museum traces its root in the hands of pioneers Dwight B. and Maie Bartlett Heard who had founded it in 1929. Somewhere around 1926, the Heards happened to have bought a number of items of archaeological significance from Polk Street in Phoenix. The archaeological artistry traced their origin to the La Ciudad Indian ruin.
These people had initially set up the museum with a motive of displaying their small personal collection of artistry. This personal interest and hobby of the Heards had ignited a force of tremendous inspiration on generations that followed ever since, making Heard Museum internationally famous. From an ordinary museum native to a small southwestern town, the Heard Museum has come a long way housing a brilliant collection of more than 40,000 items. Moreover it is also home to an exclusive library containing more than 34,000 books. Over the years, this museum underwent a significant change in both size and infrastructure. Currently the museum rests on over 130,000 square feet area housing several galleries, performance space and classrooms.
Today, Heard Museum has earned international recognition world wide for its authentic collection, intensive educational programs and distinctive festivals. The museum is frequented by over 2,50000 visitors annually from around the world.
Heard Museum Exhibits
The Heard Museum is renowned for its brilliant exhibits inspired by the museum’s own exclusive collection of American Indian art. Some six to eight latest exhibitions are demonstrated at the museum every year. Apart from this, several ongoing exhibits are also held at the museum all year round.
There are a total of 10 separate galleries displaying an array of artistry for you to feast your eyes on!
Home: Native People in the Southwest
The theme of the exhibit revolves around representation of the Southern Native people; their culture and history.
As such the artists’ voices are beautifully blended with the display of over 2000 of the museum’s best pieces of artistry narrating stories of the past and present about the native southwest.
The exhibit also features intriguing displays of the very famous Hopi katsina dolls acquired from the collections of Barry Goldwater, Sen and Fred Harvey Company. Patrons would also get to become a part of four video demonstrations, a Navajo Hogan or lodge covered with earth, interactive sound and video stations, artist presentations and a media room too.
Picture 1 - Heard Museum
The Barry Goldwater Collection of 437 Hopi Kachina Dolls
Heard Museum is remarkable for the exclusive Barry Goldwater collection of colorful and extraordinary Kachna dolls.
These dolls are images created by using cottonwood. The Hopi Kachina figures are said to be an embodiment of the features of the masked spirits or Kachina belonging to the Hopi Native American tribe. The Hopi Kachina dolls are not meant for the purpose of child’s play or worship idols. On the contrary these dolls are highly treasured as objects of analysis.
Exhibition on 19th century boarding school experiences of the Native Americans
The aim of the exhibit was to surface a controversial matter about the brutal experiences of those thousands of children of the 19th century. Old uniforms, oral interviews, haunting photographs and records are used as tools to trigger this powerful exhibit.
These children were treated as hooligans and forced out of their reservations and sent to torturous government schools with the motive to erase their culture and to ‘civilize’ them.
Navajo Textiles: 100+ Years of Weaving
Patrons can feast their eyes on some of the finest pieces of Navajo weaving dating back to the late 19th century that were supposedly inspired by the collection at the Heard Museum.
There are many striking exhibits held at the Heard Museum all year round like the Marleen Allen Nichols Collection featuring 260 pieces of fine contemporary jewelry, the Art of Ceremony and many more. More information on the current and on going exhibits can be found in the official website.
Heard Museum Events and Festivals
Heard Museum hosts spectacular festivals and programs every year. These festivals offer an excellent platform to artists to showcase the best in them through their artistry and creativity. This awe-inspiring, intellectual experience has a record of attracting almost 20,000 visitors!
Some of the most happening festivals include.
Spanish Market
The Spanish Market is an annual festival that is hosted in the month of November. This one of a kind festival comes alive with traditional Hispanic artistry, colcha embroidery, painting, printmaking, pottery, silver and tin work by veteran artists from New Mexico and Arizona. There is more! Expect some great and upbeat music by strolling Mexican musicians or mariachis that is featured in this festival.
World Championship Hoop Dance Contest
This festival is held every year at the Heard, during the month of February.
The Indian Fair and Market
The Indian Fair and Market is all geared up to celebrate its 52nd Annual Celebrations by March 2012. This festival is by far the most famed event of the Heard that promises patrons a riot of art, music, fun, food and every other kind of entertainment possible.
The event features over 700 of the finest American Indian artists who are bound to leave visitor mesmerized by their work.
To know more about the upcoming festivals and events please log onto the official website.
Picture 2 - Heard Museum Image
Heard Museum Hours
The museum hours of operation are as follows.
Museum Galleries:
Monday – Saturday
9.30 am – 5.00 pm
Sunday
11.00am – 5.00pm
Third Friday of the month
9.30am – 9.00pm
Museum Shop & Berlin Gallery:
Monday – Saturday
10.00am -5.30pm
Sunday
11.00am – 5.30pm
Books & More:
Monday – Saturday
10.00am – 5.30pm
Sunday
11.00am – 5.30pm
Please note that the Café is open from 11.00 am – 3.00pm throughout the week.
The Heard Museum is open throughout 364 days in a year. It is closed only on Christmas.
Heard Museum Admissions
Ticket prices at the museum are as follows.
Adults: $15.00
Seniors (65 yrs and above): $13.50
Students (ID Proof required): $7.50
Children (Between 6-12 yrs old): $7.50
Children (6yrs and below): Free
Heard Museum Members: Free
American Indians: Free
Please note that AAA members are eligible for a 10% discount.
Contact Details
2301 N. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Telephone: 602-252-8848
