The Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian honors Native voices through art and is the oldest independent museum in New Mexico. The museum was founded in friendship and intellectual collaboration between Bostonian Mary Cabot Wheelwright (1878–1958) and esteemed Diné ceremonial practitioner and weaver, Hastiin Klah (1867–1937). We are unique in having been founded in such a partnership and opened to the public in 1938.
The Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian promotes the living traditions and creative expressions of Native peoples through exhibitions, collections, programming and research. Our purpose is that of Honoring Native Voices through Art and we aim to bring indigenous perspectives to the forefront in all that we do.
More About The Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian
A small institution with an influential history, we have a reputation for landmark exhibitions including solo shows for emerging and established Native American artists, and historical art shows focusing on little-known traditions. A few artists who have had major shows include Tony Abeyta (Navajo), Marcus Amerman (Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma), DY Begay (Diné), Marwin Begaye (Navajo Nation), T. C. Cannon (Kiowa/Caddo), Harry Fonseca (Maidu), Benjamin Harjo Jr. (Absentee Shawnee/Seminole), Mavasta Honyouti (Hopi), Allan Houser (Chiricahua Apache), Charles Loloma (Hopi), Judith Lowry (Pit River/Mountain Maidu), Dextra Quotskuyva (Hopi-Tewa), Pablita Velarde (Santa Clara Pueblo) and Emmi Whitehorse (Navajo).
The Jim and Lauris Phillips Center for the Study of Southwestern Jewelry opened in 2015, devoted to the art history and contemporary interpretation of jewelry traditions of the Southwest and the only comprehensive display in the United States.
How You Can Help
We welcome all forms of support as building community is vital to our future success. Please visit, join our mailing list, attend events, volunteer your time, shop in our Case Trading Post and bring your friends. Our Case Trading Post works with 150 living artists and is a key part of the community impact of the museum.
We must raise the entirety of our operating budget from individuals and foundations. Now more than ever we need your support. As a small agile museum, we use all financial support to stage exhibitions, care for our collections, present public programming, and expand community outreach.
To donate, visit wheelwright.org.
Story and Photography by The Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian
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