Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art

Exhibitionsin 2023, the Eiteljorg Museum's exhibitions made a lasting impact with the more than 107,000 guests who visited the Museum during the year. "changing views: the photography of dorothea lange" examined works of one of america's best known documentary photographers. The centerpiece of the traveling exhibition was lange's 1936 photograph "migrant mother," an iconic image of the great depression. Part of the exhibition looked at images by four of today's contemporary photographers who follow in the tradition of dorothea lange. The Eiteljorg also maintained its strong focus on contemporary native Art: the 2023 round of the biennial Eiteljorg contemporary Art fellowship awarded prizes to five contemporary native artists and featured an exhibition of their works titled "unsettle/converge," which featured beadwork, sculpture, works on paper, photography and mixed media. Contemporary native Art from multiple artists and cultures was on view at the Eiteljorg throughout 2023, in the exhibitions "contemporary native Art 101 and "native Art history is made here." Modern works of Art of the American west also were in the spotlight during the 18th annual quest for the west Art show and sale. The two-day Art sale preceded a month-long exhibition of paintings and sculptures by 50 top artists in the Western American genre. Also, as part of the Eiteljorg's annual dia de muertos (day of the dead) observance, the Museum hosted an Art installation by fernando lozano, "we remember / nosotros recordamos," that reflected on lives lost during the covid-19 pandemic. The exhibition "laura wilson: lambshead ranch revisited," featured striking black-and-white photographs of Texas ranch life by wilson, a renowned photographer. Throughout the year, the Eiteljorg Museum expanded its collections in its areas of specialization by acquiring noteworthy artworks and objects. Making the Eiteljorg's 2023 Art exhibitions especially significant was that they occurred during a leadership transition: john vanausdall retired as Eiteljorg president and ceo after 27 years, and he was succeeded by kathryn haigh, an experienced Museum executive.

Festivals and eventsin 2023, the Eiteljorg Museum hosted the 31st annual indian market and festival. Over 120 artists representing 60 native American and first nations returned to the Museum to participate in the market on june 23rd and 24th. Youth artist aydrian james day was the first-ever youth artist to win the Eiteljorg purchase award for his beadwork piece aadizookewin the storyteller. Musical performances by contemporary and customary fusion performer firefly the hybrid (penobscot nation), blues band levi platero (navajo), family storytellers randy, rykelle, and raven kemp (mvskoke creek/navajo), and award-winning hoop dancers ken and doreen duncan (san carlos apache) entertained market and festival goers. In addition to watching performances and purchasing from artists, visitors could make their own pieces of Art to take home. The market hosted over 4,000 guests across the weekend.

Public programsa robust slate of Museum programs filled the 2023 calendar, with total attendance overtaking 2022. A sold-out book discussion by author dr. robin wall kimmerer (potawatomi) in partnership with Indiana humanities, a talk by japanese internment camp survivor and local carmel resident jean umemura, and a food sovereignty program and cooking demonstration with guest chef mariah gladstone (blackfeet, cherokee), were several standout programs of the year. Lectures on indigenous hip-hop by dr. kyle t. mays, a discussion about contemporary black photography by local photographer and activist wildstyle paschall, and a film screening of "jews of the wild west" addressed areas of visitor interest and expanded upon the myriad of permanent and special exhibits in the Museum. Annual programs like juneteenth & jazz, jingle rails: the great Western adventure, da de muertos, and indigenous peoples' day continued to grow from 2022, with the latter garnering a record-breaking 1,086 attendees over two days, with performances from renowned storyteller perry ground (turtle clan haudenosaunee), carving artist david r. boxley (tsimshian), and weaver kandi mcgilton (tsimshian). Book club meetings, artist and curator talks, workshops, sensory-friendly experiences, and several weeklong artists-in-residence completed the programming roster.