Heard Museum
American Indian art in 12 galleries, told from a first-person perspective since 1929
- Admission
- Check heard.org for current ticket prices. Docent tours included with admission
- SNAP cardholders $5 per person, up to four
- Hours
- Daily 10 am-4 pm. Closed Easter Sunday, July 4, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
- Where
- Phoenix, Phoenix & Superstition Mountains
- Directions
- Directions
The Heard Museum has stood on Central Avenue since 1929. Dwight B. and Maie Bartlett Heard founded it to house their own collection, and it has since become a private nonprofit known for American Indian art and for putting the voices of American Indian people first. It now has 12 galleries, an outdoor sculpture gallery and a courtyard. The museum states plainly that its land lies within the O'otham Jeved, homeland of the Akimel O'otham, and within sight of the canals and villages of their Huhugam ancestors.
Exhibitions change, so check what is on before you come. The collections include Hopi katsina dolls, and a SkyDome video of about 16 minutes runs on a continuous loop. Free docent-led public tours leave from the Information Desk daily at 10:30 a.m., noon, 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., except during special events, and last 45 to 60 minutes. A free app or a borrowed iPad provides an audio guide.
Two annual events are worth planning around: the World Championship Hoop Dance competition each February and the Indian Fair & Market each March. Both are ticketed separately on event pages, and parking may move off-site.
The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and closes on Easter Sunday, Independence Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Buy tickets online for a set date; the museum's site has current prices, which we couldn't confirm from the pages we read. Some discounts exist, including $5 for SNAP cardholders under Museums for All.
The Heardlings Activity Room is aimed at families, and children under 12 must be with an adult. The Courtyard Café and Coffee Cantina serve food, and the Museum Shop and Books & More sell work by Indigenous artists and titles on American Indian art, culture and history.
Parking is free, and the Encanto/Central light rail stop is right at the entrance. Backpacks, umbrellas and selfie sticks aren't allowed in the galleries, but lockers are free. Flash and tripods are not permitted. Photo rules protect the rights of artists, so check the policy before you shoot, and keep in mind that outside food and drink stay outside.
Categories
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Hours & Fees
- Open
- Daily 10 am-4 pm. Closed Easter Sunday, July 4, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
- Admission
- Check heard.org for current ticket prices. Docent tours included with admission; SNAP cardholders $5 per person, up to four.
Hours and prices change, especially out of season. Check with the venue before you go.
Nearby Attractions
Other places to visit in Phoenix
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From $14.95 Museums · Natural Wonders
Musical Instrument Museum
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S'edav Va'aki Museum
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South Mountain Park/Preserve
More than 16,000 acres and 100 miles of trail on the city's southern edge; heat rules apply
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Questions people ask
Quick Facts
Check heard.org for current ticket prices. Docent tours included with admission
SNAP cardholders $5 per person, up to four.
Best Time to Visit
October to April for hiking and outdoor sights; February and March for the Heard Museum's major events. Avoid midday outdoor plans from May to September.