Exploring the Fascinating History at Phoenix’s Heard Museum

Started in 1929, the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona, is one the most beloved cultural attractions in the state. It was established to retrace the history and art of Arizona’s Native American population, showcasing the tribes’ art, culture, and raw magnificence. Today, it remains a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the region’s cultural diversity. The Heard Museum features a multitude of permanent and temporary exhibits to explore. Its most unique offering is the Maricopa Pottery and Fine Arts Gallery, where artworks created by pre-contact Native Americans or contemporary Indigenous artists are displayed. There are also several rotating exhibitions, including the extensive Hohokam Exhibition-established in 1990, highlighting the ancient people who inhabited the Sonoran Desert from 1300 BCE to 1400 CE and their artistic achievements. In addition to the pottery and other art galleries, the Heard Museum also hosts events, educational activities, and lectures. Learn information about Phoenix, AZ.

The museum offers diverse programs and experiences, including book readings, live music and dances, films, and storytelling by its talented Native American Heritage docents. For example, in September, the museum’s popular Grand Canyon Adventure tour highlights the natural wonders of one of the nation’s most significant landmarks. Other events span traditional Pueblo Indian dances and a Basketweaving demonstration to lectures and workshops related to the arts and history. The Heard Museum also offers some of the nation’s leading collections of Native American culture, including Indigenous art, textiles, jewelry, pottery, basketry, sandpaintings, and more. Its expansive selection tells the diverse stories of more than 20 distinct tribes, and its one-of-a-kind pieces date to as early as the 1860s. In addition to its preserved artifacts, the Heard Museum also houses several permanent, changing, and traveling exhibits. The photographs of Edward Curtis and Allan Houser, for instance, document the native habits and lifestyles of the West, and their work is showcased in the museum’s gallery. Other works on display include the realistic woodcarvings of Diné artist Terry Jackson and the bold and daring pieces of noted Potawatomi artist Art Smith. Discover facts about Explore, Learn and Have Fun at The Children’s Museum of Phoenix.