Eiteljorg Museum Of American Indians And Western Art Inc

Programs: Exhibitions 2016 exhibitions: the grand canyon was a major eiteljorg museum-created exhibition that explored the interconnected natural and human histories of the grand canyon, using interactive and hands-on techniques to enhance visitors' experience. Revered for its art and awe-inspiring geologic beauty, this natural wonder was the focal point for this exhibit featuring art, artifacts and multi-media presentations. Environmental preservation, conservation and restoration, national parks and tourism, delicate ecosystems and the havasupai people who have dwelled at the canyon for centuries were topics for this crowd-pleasing exhibit, which attracted 65,000 visitors. Titan of the west: the adams collection of western and native american art came to the museum thanks to the generosity of businessman, kenneth s. "bud" adams, the late owner of the tennessee titans, who generously willed his historic collection of western paintings and native american artifacts to the eiteljorg when he died in 2013. The resulting exhibit featured highlights from the collection and explored classic art of the west and plains and southwestern indian objects that make the collection one of national importance. Born in oklahoma, educated at culver academy, and the university of kansas, adams was an enrolled member of the cherokee tribe, a long-time resident of houston, texas, and a dedicated man an iconic titan -- of the west. The multi-million dollar kenneth s. "bud and nancy adams collection, formerly housed in the adams' houston home and office includes significant paintings by frederic remington, n. C. Wyeth, thomas moran, charles m. Russell and more of the most notable painters of the west. The paintings focus upon ideas of western horsemen and include important works by members of the taos society of artists. The collection also contains plains indian beadwork, clothing and hundreds of other native american objects. It is one of the largest and most important gifts of western and native art the eiteljorg has received since its founding in 1989. The 11th annual quest for the west art show and sale celebrated the artwork and talent of 50 of the nation's best contemporary western artists with an exhibit featuring approximately 175 paintings, sculptures and drawings, available for purchase. Special opening weekend activities on september 9 and 10 gave pre-registered participants an opportunity to personally meet the artists and participate in activities, receptions, the sale and a banquet/awards presentation. Artwork from the collection of western art society member betsey harvey, the 2015 quest collector of distinction, was showcased in an autumn paul gallery exhibit, in conjunction with quest. The 7th annual jingle rails: the great western adventure dazzled visitors of all ages during the holiday season. Featuring iconic indianapolis buildings and western attractions created entirely from woodland materials, jingle rails attracts and thrills record crowds.

public programsthe eiteljorg museum has many educational and public programs including artists in residence (air) which are visual and performing native artists, storytellers and traditional culture bearers from across the united states and canada. The artists have month- and week-long residencies that are spent on-site and in the community and tie in to public programs and special events including indian market & festival, women in art market, winter market, native american drum circle, las posadas, and indianapolis' canal family fest. The program includes partnerships between the museum and community-based organizations that serve struggling neighborhoods and under-served audiences in central indiana. Partners include indianapolis public schools, other schools, community organizations, community centers and clubs.

festivals and events the eiteljorg museum does several festivals and events. Buckaroo bash was the eiteljorg museum's annual premier fundraising event. It was an evening of western fun, music, food, and live auctions and prizes which benefit the museum's educational outreach programs, annually serving more than 20,000 students. The museum's auxiliary, adobe society, is involved in planning this event. Indian market & festival audience feedback on indian market and festival over the past few years has led to the creation of more opportunities to connect with the artists and the inclusion of more examples of native american culture such as music, storytelling, dance, etc. Indian market and festival was the eiteljorg's largest public event and featured juried art for sale by 150+ top native american artists from across the u. S. Performances by native american storytellers, musicians, dancers and culture bearers expand its appeal beyond collectors. Westfest was a family friendly day celebrating all things western that returned due to popular demand with western entertainment, roping, wells fargo stagecoach rides, gold panning, a stick horse rodeo and many other activities. Two smaller markets which are: women in art market (march) and winter market (december), presented additional opportunities to meet artists first-hand while shopping and enjoying the museum. Summer under the sails programming provided an outdoor introduction to the eiteljorg museum. The sails programs enlivened the downtown canal with large public events like juneteenth and smaller daily activities like gold panning,. The summer of 2016 saw thousands of people attending live music every wednesday evening in june and july, celebrating juneteenth, exploring original artwork during indian market and festival and having good old western fun during westfest! Hundreds more came to enjoy the shade, their lunch, and watch a 3-d chalk artist transport them to the grand canyon in support of the museum's special exhibition.