Native American Galleries
Expressions of Life: Native Art in North America
A Space for
Native Voices Now
The Eiteljorg has taken the initiative to change the way museums typically tell Native Americans’ stories by creating a space for the peoples themselves to tell their own stories. The capstone phase of Project 2021 was the complete reconstruction of the second floor Native American Galleries, showcasing Native art in a modern space. The galleries provide a contextual experience organized around the themes of relation, continuation, and innovation, demonstrating the continuum of Native art.
Art is an essential part of being. It has always been and continues to be a way for Native peoples to express, exist, persist, and resist.
The Native American Galleries
Working in tandem with our Native American Advisory Council, the Eiteljorg is committed to changing the way Native art is exhibited to provide focus on the voice and stories of the artists.
Land Acknowledgement that the Eiteljorg sits upon the lands of the Miami, Potowatomi, Delaware, Shawnee, Peoria and Kickapoo peoples
New spaces for artist / curator talks and other programming
An expanded focus on art from several tribes of the Great Lakes region
A new thematic approach connecting visitors with Native communities
Interactive and hands-on space
Introducing
New Acquisitions of the Great Lakes Region
In 2019, the Eiteljorg acquired an extraordinary collection of national importance, including hundreds of pieces of Native American art representing tribes of the Great Lakes region. This acquisition was made possible thanks to Lilly Endowment Inc. Acquiring this art and other significant acquisitions was a major step toward our vision of reconstructing and reinstalling the Native American Galleries.
Experiencing
Art in a New Way
New multimedia allows visitors to connect more personally and directly with the art. The galleries include a large interactive digital map wall of North America, artworks presented in all-glass cases viewable in 360 degrees, interactive touchscreens and activity tables, and downloadable audio descriptions of artworks.
Relation, Continuation, Innovation
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“Instead of using geographic regions to tell the stories, we’re relying on three themes of relation, continuation, and innovation. It’s really about Native voices and Native art telling the stories.”
Gallery Images
Thank You to Our Partners:
Design and production by Origin Studios (Ottawa, Canada) and Kubik Maltbie (Boston, MA).
Construction by F.A. Wilhelm (Indianapolis)
Sponsored By:
Nicholas H. Noyes, Jr. Memorial Foundation, Inc.
