Eiteljorg Museum Of American Indians And Western Art Inc

Public programs during the first half of 2024, the museum dramaticaly increased its programmatic efforts, hosting programs nearly every weekend. Highlights included an expanded partnership with arte mexicano en indiana and the consulado de mexico en indianpolis to celebrate dia de reyes with rosca de reyes. This small initial program led to a follow-up candlemas gathering and several additional collaborative programs later in the year. Expanded dr. Martin luther king jr. Day programming during the museum's annual free day fostered connections with local artists and performers like the iibada dance company, sitaew, and wildstyle paschall. Enhanced educational content around holidays and heritage months helped guests connect with artwork on a deeper level. Smithsonian national museum of the american indian traveling exhibition, why we serve: native americans in the united states armed forces inspired programming to highlight the critical roles navajo and other indigenous code talkers held in wwi and wwii. In march, peter macdonald sr., one of two remaining wwii navajo code talkers, told his story to a sold-out, standing-room-only crowd in the museum's clowes ballroom. The more than 400 people in attendance hung on peter's every word as he recounted stories from his early life and time in the armed forces during wwii. A partnership with indiana humanities brought acclaimed author tiya miles to the museum for an incoversation program centering on her newest book, all that she carried: the journey of ashley's sack, a black family keepsake. Special exhibition, acts of faith: religion and the american west inspired programs to highlight local faith-based art forms during an expressions of faith community day. Featured performers included the latter day saints choir and orchestra, the hindu temple of indianapolis children's group, the native american church singers, and yuri rodrigez performing caminemos con maria. Book club meetings, artist and curator talks, guided tours, workshops, and sensory-friendly experiences rounded out the programming line-up for the first six months of 2024.

Festivals and eventsin june 2024, the eiteljorg museum hosted the 32nd annual indian market & festival. Nearly 140 artists representing over 60 tribes, nations, and pueblos from across the united states and canada participated in the event on june 22 and 23, 2024. Nearly 40 of those artists were new to the museum, participating in the indian market & festival for the first time thanks to robust recruitment efforts. The margot l. Eccles best of show award went to peter boome (upper skagit) for his piece entitled first woman. Purchase prize awards went to four artists: rain scott (pueblo of acoma), benjamin west (otoe missouria/southern cheyenne/mvskoke), beth bush (potawatomi/odawa), and samantha jacobs (seneca), leading to the acquisition of four incredible pieces to enhance the museum's permanent collection. Ribbons and cash prizes totaling $52,500 were awarded to artists in various divisions. Entertainment included native hawaiian musicians and dancers hoapili and indy hula. Classical guitarist gabriel ayala (yaqui) delighted audiences with his musical talents, storyteller perry ground (turtle clan member of the onondaga nation) entertained crowds on the main stage and front lawn, and sihasin, a punk rock brother-sister duo from the navajo nation, brought their signature energy to excite the audience. Despite record temperatures in the mid to high 90-degree range, nearly 4,000 visitors attended indian market & festival, purchasing work from artists, enjoying entertainment, savoring navajo tacos and bison burgers, participating in art-making activities, and enjoying the museum galleries.