The Heard Museum of Native Culture and Art was founded in 1929 by Dwight and Maie Heard. The couple, who were pioneer settlers, had a deep respect for the history and people of the Southwest and began collecting examples of American Indian art. The Heard Museum houses their personal collection and has nearly 40,000 cultural artifacts and art works. Today the Museum features fine art, jewelry and fashion showcasing Native Indian contemporary arts, culture and traditions. It has become internationally-renowned for its collections, educational program and events.
The key collections feature katsina dolls, pottery, baskets and paintings. One of the Museum's ongoing exhibitions is 'Native people of the Southwest' which showcases 2,000 of its finest works and over 500 Hopi katsina dolls. Other exhibitions feature contemporary and experimental Native American art
The Museum's educational program includes the Las Guias series about American culture, plus event such as Movie Mondays and 'Sizzlin' Summer Saturdays with music, dance and children's authors. The Museum hosts many events during the year including the Spanish Market featuring the work of many Hispanic artists and the opportunity to buy items from Hispanic traditions such as silver and tinwork, pottery and colcha embroidery.
The Museum offers guided tours, and there is also a full-service cafe and shop. The Heard Museum of the North is now in a new building in North Scottsdale which has two gallery spaces, a shop and garden cafe. Together with the new Heard Museum West - a new community facility - they showcase works from the Heard Museum's permanent collections.
