Our Story
So Much More Than an Art Museum
The Eiteljorg inspires an appreciation of the art, history and diverse cultures of Native America and the West. We share and tell amazing stories and visitors immerse themselves into these dynamic stories. It’s a place for historical context, artistic expression, new ideas, and individual perspectives.
A Little Bit About the Eiteljorg
The Eiteljorg has been telling amazing stories for three decades.
How The Eiteljorg Was Founded: Indianapolis businessman and philanthropist Harrison Eiteljorg and other civic leaders founded the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art. From the museum’s opening in 1989, its mission has been to inspire an appreciation and understanding of the art, history, and cultures of the Indigenous peoples of North America and of the American West. The museum carries out this focus in exciting and often surprising ways.
The Art: The Eiteljorg collects, conserves, and exhibits outstanding Indigenous and Western art and cultural objects. The museum’s collection includes artists such as T.C. Cannon, N. C. Wyeth, Andy Warhol, Georgia O’Keeffe, Allan Houser, Frederic Remington, Charles Russell, and Kay WalkingStick. The institution’s contemporary Native American art collection has been ranked among the best in the world.
What Sets Us Apart: The Eiteljorg Museum is the only museum of its kind in the Midwest, and one of only two museums east of the Mississippi that explore both Native America and the American West. Renowned programs such as the Indian Market and Festival, Eiteljorg Contemporary Art Fellowship, and the Quest for the West® Art Show and Sale have helped the museum cultivate a national reputation as a premiere cultural institution.
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A Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion
Our Commitment
The Eiteljorg Museum is committed to presenting the art and heritage of the Native peoples of North America and the American West as a diverse story of human accomplishment, adversity, and perseverance with respect and sensitivity to all cultures. In order to fulfill this commitment, the Eiteljorg must keep diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion at the forefront of everything we do.
Respect For Native Lands And Peoples
Our museum sits upon the land of the Miami and Lenape peoples and the wider Indiana region encompasses the homelands of the Kickapoo, Shawnee, Peoria, and Potawatomi peoples. Therefore, the Eiteljorg Museum has a distinct responsibility to educate the public about these living cultures of our local area and the Great Lakes region. The Eiteljorg is dedicated to fulfilling this responsibility and carrying out its broader mission to present the arts, histories, and cultures of the Native peoples of North America through exhibitions and programs that demonstrate sensitivity and respect toward Native peoples and their cultures. We are also committed to inclusivity by incorporating Native peoples’ perspectives and their direct participation into our work.
Representing Diverse Communities
In our presentations of the art and history of the American West, the Eiteljorg is committed to an inclusive approach that challenges past practices of museums and the Western art world that often omitted the experiences of all those who shaped the West and its art, including people who are Native American, Black, Latino, Asian, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and others of different backgrounds and beliefs. The art we collect will include works by and about these underrepresented peoples, and the exhibitions, interpretation, programs, and publications we create will bring to light this diversity.
Creating A Welcoming Environment
The communities we welcome and serve at the Eiteljorg include, but are not limited to, peoples of all ages, races, ethnicities, sexes, gender identities and gender presentations, sexual orientations, cultures, national origins, languages, abilities, educational backgrounds, socioeconomic statuses, physical appearances, veteran statuses, personalities, religious or spiritual beliefs, and political views. We also recognize and celebrate the diversity of our downtown Indianapolis neighborhood and are committed to serving the needs of our local community. The Eiteljorg Museum strives to be accessible to everyone and seeks to break down barriers that might prevent people from visiting. Our advertising, marketing, and promotional activities must also consider our diverse audiences, and are the first critical step in welcoming everyone to participate.
Diversity Of Voices In The Room
To be a successful museum about diverse peoples, it is essential that the people who work, volunteer, and provide consulting and contract services for the museum reflect the diversity of our mission and the communities we serve. Our human resources practices must also be inclusive and equitable regarding leadership, governance, planning, and policymaking.
Fulfilling Our Commitment
The Eiteljorg aspires to become a museum where all people feel that they are heard, represented, and respected. By working to fulfill the principles outlined in this statement, the Eiteljorg Museum is committed to building a more accessible, inclusive, and equitable future for the diverse communities we serve.
View our Diversity, Equity, Accessibility & Inclusion Strategy.
Take a moment to
Meet The Team
Our team is a group of diverse individuals who are dedicated to the mission of the Eiteljorg. We strive every day to share the Eiteljorg’s amazing stories with the community around us. Take a moment to meet our dedicated team members.
Join Our Team
Interested in joining the Eiteljorg as an intern, part-time or full-time employee? Take a moment to browse our open positions and apply.
Come meet the
Board Members
The Eiteljorg Museum is fortunate to have a passionate and devoted board of directors, who give so much of their time and expertise to increasing the impact and reach of our mission. Please take a moment to meet our board members. And, don’t forget to learn about our board of young professionals, Agave.
About our
Building & Founder
Architect Jonathan Hess and museum founder Harrison Eiteljorg traveled to the Southwest together to find inspiration for our beautiful building. The warm earth tones and rich wooden finishes provide just the right setting for Native American and Western stories to be told. Learn the full story of our building and our founder by clicking the link below:
Get The Latest News
Our museum is bustling with exhibits, programs, events, and festivals that appeal to visitors of different ages and backgrounds. Get the latest updates by visiting our news page. There, you won’t miss a moment of all the wonderful things happening at the Eiteljorg.
