Heard Museum, Phoenix (must see)

Dedicated to Indian Arts, the Heard Museum presents its exhibits from a first-peoples perspective. Exhibitions feature contemporary as well as traditional American Indian artists. It was founded in 1929 by Dwight and Maie Bartlett Heard as a home for their private collection. The couple had traveled the world, including several trips to Sudan, Egypt, and Hawaii. From these humble beginnings, the museum has grown a world-renown collection with over 40,000 pieces and a massive library and archive. Many of the Heard's collection from the travels are featured in the museum's permanent exhibit Around the World.

The museum's collections focus on two main areas. First, they look at cultural artifacts from the Southwest, with an extensive collection of Hopi katsina dolls, Navajo and Zuni jewelry, ceramics from Southwestern prehistory to the present, Navajo textiles, and basket work from many tribes. The collection also includes many contemporary fine artworks from the American Indian Fine Art Movement of the 20th century.

Why You Should Visit:
The Heard Museum is one of the best places to get an authentic taste for the original southwestern cultures. While you can visit ruins and sites throughout the region, the interpretive and artists side is often missing. The Heard museum fills in the missing pieces, allowing you to get a more complete understanding of traditional American Indian life and culture.

The museum honors contemporary artists from all backgrounds. For example, the museum honored US Poet Laureate Joy Harjo, the first Native American to hold that position.

The museum has been voted as one of Phoenix's Points of Pride. These are 33 landmarks around town that locals feel are the city's best features.

Tips:
The museum hosts many events throughout the year, so make sure to check their events calendar. Of particular interest is their annual Heard Guild Indian Fair and Market, a juried art festival, held since 1958. It draws more than 15,000 visitors and more than 600 Native American artists. Artists compete in eight categories—jewelry, pottery, painting, carving, sculpture, weaving, baskets, and diverse art forms.

The museum offers live music and free admissions some days—check their website or social media postings for more information.