IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts (MoCNA)

A small but mighty museum. I loved the exhibits and how they show a contemporary image of Native art. I especially enjoyed the exhibits from IAIA students, and how their work is also proudly placed in the gift shop. There are only a handful of exhibits, but I thought that they were placed thoughtfully. Plus, it’s free entry on Fridays!

A nice art gallery/museum with easy access. Some of the jewelry pieces were beautiful and made from alloys, glass, beads etc. The main floor exhibit of sounds and their digital signature was interesting so was the trapped voices exhibit with hanging plastic bags. The front of the museum is gorgeous with colorful pictures.

The exhibits were amazing, and the pacing was just right. There weren't many others there when I was there, so was able to move at my own pace and really take my time. The biggest issue was the *sound*. This is possibly the loudest art museum I have ever been in. Two pieces in the first exhibit had sound scape elements and I could not hear any of it over the talking in the lobby, doors opening down the hall, etc. Further down the exhibit, there were another two pieces with sound, but they were so close to each other, they overlapped and it became discombobulated. A real shame because I think the visual elements of all of these were outstanding and I'm sure the sounds would have only enhanced the experience...overall, will definitely be back, but hope some sound dampening is put in!

We stopped in here on a whim and it was amazing! Beautiful and powerful exhibitions and lovely staff. Beautiful building too and they have some outdoor pieces in the courtyard. They provide lockers for backpacks and a coat check too if you need it.

A nice art gallery/museum with very interesting art. It’s right in the center and easy to walk to. They had three different exhibits. Four if you count the art garden. Rick Rivet: Journeys, Mounds and the Metaphysical is an interesting art collection mixing scenes from life in the Arctic, scenes from the times when the natives were conquered and a flare of mystery surrounding the journeys by sea. Inherent Memory was a multi-media/mixed media exhibition with bright colors, basketry and a a poem I feel in love with (see photo). Last but not least, on the second floor was The Stories We Carry dedicated to storytelling via jewelry. Some of the pieces were just gorgeous! Mixed metals, precious stones, glass beads and furs. A joy for the eyes and engagement for the mind! The gallery store had interesting pieces as well from books to prints! There was also a mini-exhibition of a designer who mixes the concepts of medicine and fashion in a curious way. The clothing was incredible!

We visited on First Friday when there was free admissions 5-7pm. We were only able to view the side exhibits and the upstairs as they closed the main exhibit so we had limited access to the museum. There were a few works by Jean LeMarr that were phenomenal to reflect upon and jewelry there as well. Lots of other galleries in the area to walk around and look at too. Worth the visit for free admissions on First Friday. Not sure if I would pay full admissions but I am not sure what the main exhibit is like.

This is a nice little art museum with Native American art. Go on Friday for free admission. They have a nice gift shop with lots of typical things and lots of books.

When in Santa Fe don’t miss this amazing museum, as a great bonus, it is only a short stroll from the famous plaza. The exhibits we saw while visiting museum were truly one of a kind, and included everything from sculpture installations , digital media, murals, and paintings. Ask for the veteran rate if it applies to you.

My friend and I found the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts while exploring downtown Santa Fe and decided to stop in for a visit. Fortunately for us, the museum was running a free admission Friday! Because of this, the museum was very busy, especially with a large group of students roaming around. The museum has two floors with several galleries to explore. On the first floor, I was captivated by the murals and hanging panels portraying the seasons and migration of tribes and herds. A separate downstairs gallery featured modern art pieces, and there was one particularly sobering piece on sexual abuse perpetuated by the Catholic Church. These pieces were quite heavy as you could feel the grief expressed by the artists. Upstairs felt different, showcasing Native pride through their regalia, bolos, and handmade jewelry. The upstairs galleries felt more celebratory of Native culture, drawing attention to their accomplishments and craftsmanship. Overall, the museum offers an eye-opening experience, and I left with a greater appreciation for Native art, culture, and collective lived experience.

We stumbled upon this museum on a walk through the downtown area. After seeing all the signs saying this museum was rated the 3rd best museum in the US I talked my husband into a visit. For seniors it was a whopping $5... pretty much a no brained. And loved it! The artist featured, LaMarr, was a brilliant artist and learning about her life was captivating. The studio housing her art was typical Santa Fe and easy to navigate too- highly recommend

I was excited to visit MoCNA. I liked the work in the main gallery, but I really enjoyed the work in the smaller gallery to the left of the main gallery. I was happy to see a photograph by a Californian artist in there! The jewelry show upstairs was also very cool. I do NOT understand how people handcraft such amazing pieces! I believe most (if not all) work on display is from current/former students and faculty.

Incredible! So impressed with presentations! We went there on museum Hill after lunch at the cafe there. This museum had well organized descriptions of various rotating exhibits as well as the main exhibit of miniatures from all over. I highly recommend if you have the time and your brain will be exploding with the amazing depictions. So well done!

It's hard not to notice this cool museum if you stroll around Santa Fe Plaza. Its colorful columns are a cute landmark and the sculpture gardens are beautiful! So is the Pueblo style building that hosts it, across from the cathedral! I didn't know if I would have a chance to visit IAIA but our plans changed for my last day in Santa Fe so we decided to check it out. No advanced tickets required. We walked inside, paid $10 each for general admission, $5 for seniors, students, NM residents and free for all children! You have to wear a mask inside, nice staff and off we went. They specialize in contemporary art created by Native American artists. We thought the exhibits were nicely curated, interesting art and various styles. Great to learn that there is an Institute created for American Indian Artists to pursue their form of art! Nice history behind, you will read while stroll the rooms. Nice murals inside! Take a minute to explore the gardens as well. The museum could be a nice break in the Plaza action, it took us about an hour to check it out. It was nice to cool off during a hot summer day! Nice staff, not a lot of visitors, great art and all around vibe. They also have a cute gift shop with cool, original items! Closed Tuesdays! 11 am - 4 pm on Sundays, rest of the week 10 am - 5 pm! A little gem in the middle of Santa Fe, easy to spot and enjoyable to browse!

Went in 2022, can't believe I didn't review then. Great mix of different artists and styles. Educational and beautiful and thought provoking. Went on a weekday and it was not crowded. Def worth going.

Nice museum located in the city's former post office, a national landmark Pueblo Revival building. The museum is a showcase for students, professors and alumni of the Institute of American Indian Arts. The exhibits rotate to highlight a variety of media and artists. Experimental ExPRESSion was a great series of print making artwork. The portraits in Tom Jones:Strong Unrelenting Spirits contrasted still photos with mixed media beadwork and more. The Allan Houser Art Park has several iconic sculptures. Houser was a professor at the Institute. As one of the most prolific Native American painters and sculptors of the 20th century, it was so nice to see so many of his works in one garden. Timed tickets limit access to the museum. We were the only two patrons in the museums during our time slot. The museum does offer reciprocity as part of the NARM program. Short on time? The museum is located across from Cathedral Park. The brightly colored walkway is worth a quick stop.

An incredible gallery of indigenous artists. Definitely worth a visit if you are in Santa Fe and looking to view some art.

Fabulous visit! Truly fascinating mix of contemporary art forms, ranging from film to mixed media to jewelry and fashion. We really enjoyed our time here and we can see how it made the 2023 list of best art museum exhibits in the USA.

Interesting experience from us, especially since we're coming from out of state. Good art that inspired us.

This is a gorgeous museum. It's filled with extremely creative work that is thought provoking and emotional. I love the variety of art that you see here. It spans giant stone statues, graffiti art, photography, textiles... you name it. It's all over the place in the most beautiful way. I will admit I was drawn in by the ninja turtles piece. That said, once I started exploring the place I fell in love with so many different exhibits. I'm very glad I checked it out. Extra point for having extremely clean facilities, including bathrooms. The people working there were all extremely nice. I learned things about the artists and the associated school by chatting with them. There's a lot of rich history associated with the school, and it's a privilege to be able to see the work that the artists and graduates have produced. Definitely check this place out!

Wonderful exhibit, it is very educational and I learn a lot about the Native American art and culture here. The building itself is beautiful and the location is very convenient right off downtown.

Wow! Incredibly moving exhibits. To say this place is educational is an understatement of the century. I was moved to tears by more than one of the artists featured here.

The staff was friendly and helpful about the museum and beyond. I inquired about their favorite breakfast places and they jumped at the chance to share. Tuesday eve though open only for a special engagement we perused the lovely and cute items in their gift shop. I couldn't resist getting a baby toy. We ventured back Wednesday after a delicious breakfast (ty for the reco). We enjoyed the exhibits which we rather did fast ( about an hour and a half) because we wanted to get on the road. There were many very cool works of art ( see my photos) and I liked the Alan Hauser garden with several sculptures. It was indeed worth our time to return to town to view.

While it's a small museum I absolutely loved it. The exhibits are thoughtful and include supplementary materials like videos or audio. Definitely pick up a discount card from the tourist center (free) right near Santa Fe station which offers a 50% discount on admissions (the winter one is purple) If you love unique stickers the shop had a bunch of unique decals/ stickers from contemporary Native American artists that are super fun and not too expensive. Art-wise, even though it's usually not my style I found the more abstract stuff genuinely interesting because it offered a different perspective on the American abstract art movement.

One of kind of museum. It reminds me of the exhibits I had seen in the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City. Native Indian history explored in this unique museum that showcases some of the known and lesser known native Indian artists. The art is powerful. The message is clear. What the westerners have done to this native land, and its people, is something we must learn. Note that this is the only museum in this country that exhibits, collects and interprets contemporary native artists and it's by far the most thought provoking one. If you are visiting Santa Fe, this is one museum that you should not miss.

This is a great but smaller than expected museum. I enjoyed the art so much that I wish there had been more to see. We spent about 45 minutes here walking through the galleries. The space is really well done and a nice place to see unique art.

The Museum of Contemporary Native Arts features fun and thought-provoking artwork from local native artists. There are a number of artists, groups, and studios represented, and it was great to learn more about them and to see how they express their culture and identity through art. I also appreciated the diversity of art. There are paintings, sculptures, craft items, films, and other types of artwork. Each room was something different, which made the experience richer and more enjoyable. If you're in downtown Santa Fe and want to see a living witness to the art happening in the city every day, check out the Museum of Contemporary Native Arts!

!00% yes yes yes! Whatever you do while staying in Santa Fe make this Museum one of your first stops. I had been at The New Mexico History Museum and was mightily let down. Cut that short and headed here. The works on display are terrific. Loved the Printing Exhibit, do not know if this is temporary or a permanent installation. There was a good flow throughout. Again just wowed by the work I beheld. What I viewed will stay with me for a very long time. Whoever the Curator is deserves much applause. While walking the Plaza you will find yourself bombarded by Galleries that feature a lot of garbage. The IAIA Modern Native Art Museum is a gem.

There are so many beautiful pieces of artwork in the small space. The entire second floor had a printmaking exhibit from many of the former students. Absolutely gorgeous. There was an area dealing with the Iroquois creation story, which included a short film. Very interesting to hear another tribe's creation story to see what the similarities and differences are. There is a sculpture garden which also had some amazing pieces. Definitely recommend stopping into this museum. The museum store also has such great books by native authors; clothing designed by natives; amazing jewelry...I couldn't walk out without buying a book of poetry and a t-shirt. Loved everything.

Cool place. When I went they had work up from students which I really appreciated. I also really like it when museums include extended descriptions of art pieces which this place does. They have a nice gift shop it was hard to tell if all the art work was for sale or not in the gift shop. The museum is very digestible. It only takes about 20 or 30 minutes to make your way through it. I also like that they included a bunch of different types of artwork they have woven baskets, collage, acrylic, and works on paper. Overall I would say worth it.

A small museum that is all about contemporary (as in current) art from native peoples. It's small, but well-curated, and maximizes the available viewing space. So worth it - I was not expecting much, frankly, and my expectations were exceeded by a factor of 3. Yes, that's right; it was three times as good as I thought it might be. Some of the work I found revelatory. The museum bills itself as the only museum in existence in the U.S. that specializes in contemporary Native Art. I haven't researched the validity of that claim, but I have no reason to doubt it, either. If you're in Santa Fe, there are a lot of things to see, but put this place on your short list.

This museum is sooooooooo cool. I am a big fan of modern art and I absolutely loved here. I choose here because I love art, but not necessarily a huge fan of O'keefe, but still wanted to try some art museums in Santa fe. I will def come back here.

We have been members of the IAIA for years. It's a must stop each time we visit Santa Fe. Over the years the museum has expanded. There are usually four different venues of rotating exhibits. The hallways are filled with art too. There's always an interesting film about culture and/or art playing in the theater. The gift shop is filled with indigenous music, books, clothes, art and jewelry. Your purchases support the artist, the museum and the school. If you enjoy contemporary indigenous art, this is a must stop. Take the time to visit the second floor for additional artwork.

Small Museum in the middle of town. We happen to go in a day when they were chanting out some of the art work, worked in our favor as the admission price was discounted at half off. Don't expect to spend your day here however, it does have some beautiful art.

Wonderful museum! The Museum of Contemporary Native Arts is the country's only museum for exhibiting, collecting and interpreting the most progressive work of contemporary Native artists. Loved the central location of this place being that it's located in downtown Santa Fe, one block east of the historic Santa Fe Plaza and directly across from stately St. Francis Cathedral Basilica. Hours for Native Arts Museum are Monday and Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and on Sunday from noon until 5 p.m. They are closed on Tuesdays. $10 admission price for adults; half-price for seniors (62+), students w/ valid ID, and NM residents; and free for members, Native people, veterans and their families, youth (16 & under), and NM residents visiting on Sunday. Yes, Native Americans can enter for FREE!! I did not have long to spend here but I enjoyed every minute of it It is important to support art institutions such as this that are dedicated to increasing public understanding and appreciation of and for contemporary Native art, history and culture. 5 YELP STARS for The Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, which is the pre-eminent organizer of exhibitions devoted exclusively to the display of arts representative of Native North America.

I'm going to be completely honest, here: I had absolutely no interest in this museum. There's a lot to discover in Santa Fe, and my immediate thoughts concerning contemporary Native arts were at best benign. I figured the place would be something of an afterthought, a blasé Thanks to the people who brought this city to life. Not so. Not so in any stretch of the imagination. The work exhibited in these halls is as good, if not better, than anything you'll find in the City Different, if not the world over. I was simply stupefied by a the main exhibition, Ric Gendron's Rattlebone. Holy enlightenment, the canvasses were so thought-provoking, contemporary for sure, offering depth and political insight in ways I'd never imagined. I was worried about the abstract stuff, because, well, again I'm being honest: Native art is lodged in my brain as a reflection of the past. And again I'll be honest: I wasn't blown away by the stuff I found here. But still it beat any expectation. And the sculpture garden: bliss. Smart, somewhat political, a little dreamy. Everything, and I mean everything I found in this building met or beat any expectation. Kudos once again to you, Santa Fe. New Mexico residents get in free on Sundays. I don't want to spoil this, I'll simply state that the work and the venue are world-class. Visit this museum. You won't forget it. Oh, and respect the photo policy here, and don't take any.

This not only has native collections on display, but also show the up and coming artists that attending the The Institute of American Indian Arts (IA IA). A lot of the students start there at the museum. Every year they have special shows all year around that students can apply and showcase their art work. Its a very nice museum. Many students also can work in the museum as well, such as the Museum Majors. Its a great start for many artists that are just starting out. I attended IA IA and it was a great experience to be able to show case work and learn what art is about through the school as well as the Museum.

Most of the contemporary art in this little museum falls into the category of "interesting" rather than "aesthetically pleasing." But the exhibit of four short films that were running when we stopped in were a key exception. Apart from two 4-minute films I could have done without, there was a charming-if-hokey love story about Indian tacos, and a 26-minute documentary about Italian/Native-American conflicts over Columbus Day. Even if the latter doesn't sound interesting to you at first, you'll be drawn in.

I assumed it would be a kitschy museum because it's so close to the other tourist traps but this museum had outstanding exhibits of contemporary art. And so much contemporary art in general is crap that we were quite surprised with the quality in this museum. (The shop is worth a look as well.) We especially enjoyed the controversial exhibit speaking against Santa Fe's 400th Anniversary - timed by the date of conquest by Spaniards.

I was lucky enough to wander in on a Sunday in hopes of avoiding the rain and found that NM residents can enter for free! Man am I glad the weather forced me indoors! The museum was small enough to really absorb everything in an hour, but one could easily spend longer looking at the unique perspectives on politics, family, and culture found in each work. An amazing and eye opening experience!

Breaking the stereotype of indigenous artists, this is the place to go. A great place to expand ones visual experience of what art can be while not forgetting ones heritage. A gem of a museum.

The IAIA was fantastic and well worth a visit. This contemporary museum was a fascinating display of native artists' works. The cost was $10 per adult. The museum shop deserved 30 min or so. Happy viewing.

A very good place to see American Indian art that isn't just woven blankets and kachina dolls. It's all more modern than traditional, which will immediately be distasteful to the majority of Santa Fe tourists. They want pottery and eagle feathers. You'll find some of that here, but it it likely to be spray painted and featured in an abstract movie. This place can help folks strip away the notion of "American Indian" from art and artist, allowing them a fresh vantage. There is an indigenous root in all the work, but it doesn't hit you on the nose.

Apparently the only museum specializing in contemporary Native American art only. Easy to see everything in under 2 hours. Very quiet off season. Interesting sculpture garden. Lovely little gift shop.

The Museum is part of the Institute of American Indian Arts. Right now there is no exhibit since they are doing some necessary maintenance. The building was a Post Office, built in the 1920's, for many years. The museum will reopen in time for Indian Market in mid August. But go in now anyway. The gift shop is a mini museum by itself and the staff can be informative and helpful. You can get part of your education about Contemporary Native Arts from them. You may see work by students, recent graduates or older graduates or by any of the wonderful native artists, silversmiths or potters. The school is now a 4 Year College and may expand to Graduate degrees. It is located south of Santa Fe and the campus is growing constantly. You are in Santa Fe. Learn about the neighborhood while you are here.

Serious modern art. NOT a Western art or artifacts place. We parents liked it but the elementary school aged kids lost interest quickly

This place is currently known as the Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, but is attached to the previous name (as this page is) IAIA Art Museum. As a contrast to many stores around the Plaza, this place is dedicated to the advancement of Native American Arts. This is a museum of contemporary native arts and is not kitschy. It shows work of world renown Native American artists. Good stuff.