Heard Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 1929 |
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| Location | Phoenix, Arizona |
| Type | Private, not-for-profit museum |
| Accreditation | American Alliance of Museums |
| Key holdings | American Indian art |
| Collection size | 40,000 items |
| Visitors | 250,000 visitors a year |
| Founder | Dwight B. and Maie Bartlett Heard |
| Architect | Bennie Gonzales |
| Public transit access | Add→ Encanto/Central Avenue |
The Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona is a special place that celebrates American Indian art and culture. It's a private museum, meaning it's not run by the government. The museum shares the stories of American Indian people from their own point of view. It also shows amazing art by American Indian artists, both traditional and modern.
The main Heard Museum in Phoenix is so important that it's called a Phoenix Point of Pride. This means it's one of the city's most famous and cherished spots. The museum used to have other locations in Surprise and Scottsdale, Arizona, but these branches are now closed.
Contents
The Museum's Story
The Heard Museum first opened its doors in 1929. It was started by Dwight B. and Maie Bartlett Heard. They wanted a place to keep their own large collection of art. Many of the old artifacts they collected came from a Native American ruin called La Ciudad. The Heards bought this land in Phoenix in 1926.
Part of the museum was designed by a famous architect named Bennie Gonzales. He also designed the Scottsdale City Hall building.
What You Can See Inside
Today, the Heard Museum has over 40,000 items in its collection. This includes a huge library with more than 34,000 books and documents. The museum has a lot of space for art galleries, classrooms, and performances.
Some of the cool exhibits you can explore include:
- Home: Native Peoples in the Southwest: This exhibit teaches you about the Native American groups living in the Southwest.
- The Mareen Allen Nichols Collection: This collection features 260 pieces of beautiful modern jewelry.
- The Barry Goldwater Collection: Here you can see 437 historic Hopi kachina dolls. These dolls are important figures in Hopi culture.
- Boarding School Experience: This exhibit tells the story of Native American children sent to boarding schools in the 1800s. These schools tried to make Native American children forget their own culture. The exhibit uses photos, old uniforms, and interviews to show this important part of history.
The Heard Museum welcomes about 250,000 visitors every year. It is also connected to the Smithsonian Affiliations program. This means it works with the famous Smithsonian museums.
Fun Festivals and Events
The Heard Museum hosts many exciting events throughout the year. These events celebrate different cultures and arts.
El Mercado de Las Artes
Usually in November, the museum holds "El Mercado de Las Artes." This festival features Hispanic artists from Arizona and New Mexico. You can see amazing artwork like santos (religious art), pottery, and unique furniture. There's also live mariachi music to enjoy!
World Championship Hoop Dance Contest
Every year in early February, the Heard Museum hosts the World Championship Hoop Dance Contest. This amazing competition takes place in the outdoor Libby Amphitheater. Dancers perform the Hoop Dance, using many hoops to create different shapes and tell stories.
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Libby Amphitheater, where the Hoop Dance Contest is held
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A Hoop Dancer in 2005
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A young Hoop Dancer in 2023
Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair and Market
Since 1958, the museum has held its Annual Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair and Market every March. This is a huge art fair and festival that attracts about 15,000 visitors. More than 600 Native American artists come to show their work.
Artists compete in a "Best of Show" competition. They enter their art in eight different categories. These include jewelry, pottery, paintings, and sculptures. Judges for the competition are often experienced artists, museum experts, or art collectors. Many of these judges are also from American Indian tribes. Winners receive awards and cash prizes.
See also
In Spanish: Museo Heard para niños
