Phoenix Art Museum Acquires Historic Collection of Native Art
The Phoenix Art Museum has received a transformative donation, marking the largest gift of Native art in its 65-year history. This significant acquisition includes nearly 200 pieces that span paintings, drawings, photographs, and sculptures.
Contributed by William P. Healy, a long-time museum member, the collection showcases works from 99 artists across 44 tribal nations. These artworks narrate stories and embody traditions from the Americas, with a particular focus on Native artists from the Southwest.
Jeremy Mikolajczak, CEO of the museum, emphasized the strategic importance of this gift: “So it was a really great opportunity for us to really engage and really understand and work with this particular collector, this collection that he built, and really what we could do and how we would utilize it here at the museum, and how it would fit within our own goals and objectives here,” he said.
This contribution not only enhances the museum’s collection but also fosters community engagement. Mikolajczak highlighted, “It really creates this great strategy and this great opportunity for future partnerships…creating a larger, greater network and more visible platforms for Indigenous artists through the course of history and contemporary art as well.”
Visitors can look forward to an exhibition of this unique collection, set to open in August.
