Find Hotels Near Eiteljorg Museum Indianapolis

The Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis is one of the premier destinations for anyone interested in Native American and Western art and culture. The museum was founded in 1989 by local businessman and philanthropist Harrison Eiteljorg with a mission to celebrate the cultures of the American West, Native Americans, and Indigenous peoples worldwide.

The Eiteljorg Museum is located on the western edge of Downtown Indianapolis , within White River State Park . It features over 50,000 square feet of gallery space and more than 10 acres of outdoor sculpture gardens. Visitors can explore more than 20 changing exhibitions each year that highlight traditional and contemporary Native American art, along with works from renowned Western artists like Frederic Remington and Charles Russell. The museum also houses a growing collection of artifacts such as pottery, basketry, jewelry, clothing and textiles, weapons, games and tools found among many native tribes across the United States.

In addition to its permanent collections, the museum hosts an array of special events throughout the year such as family days, movie screenings, lectures on Western history, workshops in traditional crafts techniques (like beading or weaving), concerts featuring Indigenous music groups from around the country. It's also home to three annual festivals: The Eiteljorg Indian Market & Festival (July), The Eiteljorg Folk Festival (October) and Winter Family Day at White River State Park (December).

The Eiteljorg Museum is also dedicated to providing educational resources that allow students to learn about both traditional Native American art forms as well as contemporary works by today's leading Native American artists. Its popular education programs include summer camps for kids aged 5-14 which introduce them to basic concepts in visual arts while exploring culture through hands-on activities like making dream catchers or creating sculptures out of clay. A variety of field trips are also offered for school classes throughout the academic year that highlight both ancient artifacts housed in galleries as well as cutting edge works created by modern artists.

For 25 years now, the Eiteljorg Museum has been a beloved cultural institution central Indiana honoring thousands of years’ worth of artistry from diverse Indigenous peoples across North America. With its continually updated exhibitions and dynamic programming offerings — including special events for celebration holidays like Thanksgiving — it stands as a must-visit destination for anyone curious about understanding our continent's past or appreciating its present diversity.