Heard Museum

Paid full price for a half empty museum because of «renovations» my sister-​in-​law could not bring her purse in because it was a backpack style purse. However, a purse that was larger than hers that fit on a shoulder only was allowed. Gift shop employee snubbed us as we exited the shop and said thank you. Maybe because we did not buy any of their exuberantly over priced items. Extremely disappointed in this museum.

I happened to walk in 5 min before a tour so i didn’t have to wait long. Highly recommend to take a tour! It is very informative, ask about a tour if they dont mention it!

I loved this museum. We hopped on a tour with Joan, she was awesome and it was very informative! Definitely recommend visiting this place.

I thought the price was steep but within 15min Of entering I was SO pleased. It was so beautiful and the collections were amazing. I loved the videos too… I cried watching «Home» — a must if in town!

Excellent collection of Native American art and culture. This is a definite not miss. Whether you are familiar or have no history, you will earn something, be amazed and glad you did.

I am so happy we went to the Heard museum. This was an excellent experience for both my husband and I. We truly appreciated the museums architectural style and their focus and dedication on the preservation and detailed representation indigenous/​native lifestyle and customs. There was quite a bit of information within this museum that we thought it was useful to go to split our time. We spent three hours and then came back in the afternoon and spent another hour or so. There are cultural items such as clothing, pottery, artwork, and other items that gave us great insight into the culture and customs. One of the great things that I like in any museum is when they focus on the harsher times, brutal moments, and sad parts. This is what truly makes one focus on history of any group. We throughly enjoyed our experience and thought the price we paid for our tickets were fair based on the wealth of knowledge and information we discovered in this museum. I would highly recommend visiting this museum and taking your time to make your way through it — even if you have to break it up into 2 viewings over the course of the day. Highly recommended!

I have been to the Heard Museum many times, over many years, and have enjoyed it every time. I highly recommend it.

This is a beautiful museum housed in an exquisite building. If you’ve ever seen «Love in the Time of Cholera,» you have an idea of the architecture of this building. The Heard Museum honors indigenous life and culture in a non-​stereotypical way, in addition to poignantly highlighting many of the transgressions against Native Americans by European settlers. The boarding school exhibit was truly moving, and it did not shy away from portraying some of the most brutal moments from this sad part of American history. Moreover, their museum shop features art made by local Native American people who are paid fair prices for their work.

This was a great experience in a great museum with a vast Native American collection. They offered different tours through out the day and we were lucky enough to get on the «Home» tour that focused on tribes that were/​are mainly in the NM, AZ areas. The guide, Mary, was very knowledgeable and patient with the many questions and interruptions from a few children in our group. They have a huge gift shop with authentic Native goods. We ate from a White Eyes fry bread food truck parked in the lot and it was fantastic. The Heard is definitely worth the price of admission and is one of the best museums I have visited.

Great museum embracing Native American culture and highlighting the past, present, and future. We came here for the Frida Kahlo photography exhibit and while it was a little smaller than I expected, it gave some insight to and was a fascinating, candid slice of Frida Kahlo’s life.
The other exhibits show various cultural items such as pottery, tribal dress, and religious art. I especially loved the wall of kachina dolls, seeing all the different spirits personified in doll form. There is also a section for contemporary art and a large mural in the section dedicated to the various tribes that live in Arizona. One of the most interesting exhibits for me was the section on Native American aid in our wars, especially the Code Talkers in World War II.
The Heard Museum also hosts various events, such as a lovely chocolate festival I had attended a year or two ago, and Native American dinners.
Admission for adults is $ 18 and free for Native Americans.

We attended the Frida Kahlo Festival this evening. The tickets for the event were pricey.
It was a dinner using Fida’s recipes. The food was good and some of it was interesting as well. It didn’t begin at 5:30 like we were informed. We had assigned seats. There was Mariachis playing. The margaritas were too strong to enjoy. There was a booth to get your photo taken but no where to be seen. No one really instructed us on where to go or what the evening was going to be. So you ate and that was it. I was expecting more, so I was disappointed. The least that could of been added was to let us in ahead of non paying folks to get in to see Frida’s display in the museum.

The Heard Museum is a great place to go to learn about Native American/​Indian and tribal history. A lot of what you’ll find are things taught in history class but I was a bit too obnoxious to pay attention to (as well as everything else in school) remember such things after the test. Visiting here was a nice refresher, and in many instance, a great learning experience.
When I visit museums, I’m always interested in the things that are centuries old. I didn’t see much of that there. (And if I actually knew this part of history, there may be an explanation to this.) What I found interesting was (re)learning the adapting cultures, changes, and depictions of Native Americans from both their perspective and with the America they were becoming.
I particularly enjoyed seeing the sections on their education and of course, sports.
If you’re a history buff, I would highly recommend going to The Heard Museum for a different perspective on American history.

This museum holds a very special place in my heart because it is not only the very first museum that I visited in Arizona when I arrived here; but it is also the very first museum that I claimed as part of my new life.
Let me explain. Prior to arriving in Arizona, I had the pleasure of visiting museums in many parts of the world. My life at that time was under the care of my family. I was 17 when I left my home and came to Arizona, and within a few days, I found myself in this museum.
It was certainly smaller then, than it is now. And the exhibits were nowhere near as vast, nor as polished.
So, as I began my adult life; I made this a part of my new experience. As many others that would be forthcoming.
I love how accurately Native American art and culture are portrayed. Even some of the more uncomfortable subjects, such as forced scholastic integration and cultural whitewashing are dealt and presented with such sensitivity and accuracy.
I spent a day of my vacation just to quietly enjoy the exhibits and soak them in without the interruption of the normal crowds that pervade these premises. It was so touching to read and ponder the longing that Ofelia Zepeda felt for her homeland. Or the value that Rena Martin placed on turquoise jewelry that her mother bestowed upon her.
It wasn’t simply a display, but a heartfelt portrayal of a great people that we share this nation with.
I could’ve gotten on a plane or in my car and traveled to a distant place and enjoyed a cooler climate, but my home is now here in Arizona. And this museum is a reminder of how I began my adult life.
I don’t normally wander very far from my beloved, unless I am on a business trip. Which is why I started my Museum Day journey here.
And my wife has given me something precious to her, just as Rena Martin’s mother gave her something precious as well; and the closeness we both felt for that special someone in our life whose gift we treasure forever just kept me planted in town on this day.
I hope that when you visit this museum, that you find the depth and care that the Heard Family and the curators of their vision have painstakingly positioned on each and every display.
It is truly designed to provide a profound awareness of the diversity of the people in this great land we call America.

The free admission on Sundays during the summer time is one great way to spend the day. Be sure to look up the schedule of performances and include it in your visit to the museum. We saw a beautiful display of hoop dancing and other traditional dances accompanied with a brief narrative explaining the meaning/​purpose. This is a very family friendly museum all the while providing the opportunity to learn about the history of amazing people from not only Arizona but of the United States. Also, we tagged along one of the guided tours only to be impressed by the guide’s ability to entertain, inform, and maintain the group’s interest.

The Heard is a wonderful Phoenix institution that often flies under the radar. I was born & raised in Phoenix so as a child I visited the museum often on school field trips or weekend activities. It’s a great place for kids! The museum is also a must-​see for visitors to the valley; Their exhibits of indigenous art and culture are unparalleled.
When it came time to find a venue for our wedding it was not the first place we thought of but it should have been. The Heard was a beautiful, soulful setting for our ceremony and reception. The architecture and landscape made for numerous photographic opportunities. We had to force ourselves to stop taking pictures and get married already! Julie, the Director of Private Events was great to work with; very supportive. All things considered it was also quite affordable.
We had a number of guests traveling to Phoenix for the first time for our wedding so I was thrilled to have a beautiful cultural landmark to show off my hometown. Its central location off the Metro Lightrail connected to all things hip and happening in the valley was also a huge bonus.

A colleague and I had a wonderful am tour at the Heard that left us feeling reverent and inspired to know more. The small group of four had so many questions about the personal attributes, daily living and spirituality of the Native Americans whose lives were portrayed in this beautiful museum. Consider spending three or four hours in this informative and relaxing environment.

Great for info on the indigenous culture of the area

A great place to see the art and culture of the Native Americans. The gift shop also has a great selection of jewelry and art for purchase.

I love the Heard museum. They had the superheroes exhibit going when I went and I thought it was well worth the extra cost. They had a lot of interactive things for the kiddos and a gameplay of Never Alone.
I’m Native and came first while doing teacher training at ASU and made a point to bring my boyfriend with me a second time. I think their boarding school exhibit is done well. It can be hard to explain that history to non natives and impress upon them the trauma and effects it has had.
I felt like I came out refreshed and my boyfriend learned some more as well. It’s important to me that he understands my culture and the culture of all native nations.

One of the most well done museums I’ve ever attended. I had a chance to talk with some of the staff, who were very helpful and friendly.

Tables inside and out — it was too hot to sit outside but it was also too cold to sit inside and I wish I had a sweater — apart from the air con the staff were kind and the food excellent — it is more expensive than some of the other options locally but it is a great place to have a break from the fascinating Heard Museum. The crispy chicken tacos were fresh and delicious and I enjoyed the special lemonade. Popular with local business people.

This was a great stop for a rainy day. Beautiful art and history and a lot for the kids to do. The grounds are stunning — even while wet!
The admission is $ 18 for adults and we spent a couple of hours wandering around reading and enjoying. I would definitely bring any visitors here and wouldn’t be bothered that I have already seen it.

I have been to the Heard a couple of times in the past few months.
For people who don’t know much about Native culture or art AND who think Native artists aren’t legitimate, then this museum helps to make the argument that Native Americans are part of contemporary culture.
For me, I found the exhibits interesting, but the sales pitch on each of the labels off-​putting. In addition, there was a real focus on the «noble savage at one with nature» that perpetuates the fantasy that Anglos popularized. Art can be valuable because it evokes emotion or mood, regardless of whether it is done by a Native artist or it incorporates nature and culture.
I also found it odd that the building that houses all this «nature-​inspired and connected» art has a strong demarcation between inside and outside. It is kind of like a basement.
If you can get a free admission at Phoenix Public Library, it is worth a trip.

I like a lot of museums in Phoenix. This is the only one I had two unimpressive experiences with and never went back. It’s popular and well respected, but not by me.
I’ve visited reservations and love the Pueblo Grande Museum to learn about First Nations culture. I found the Heard Museum more of a place to showcase other peoples collections than all that educational.
The second time was for one of those big Native festivals in their back outdoor area. The place was insanely overcrowded for the small space. The food? The long lines and what I saw other people eating made me not want to go thru the trouble. The entire atmosphere was noisy and chaotic, hardly the right atmosphere, given the peaceful qualities of the reservations.
I had gone with two friends but left early. Thirsty, I didn’t want the long line so went into the building to find a water fountain and then left, disappointed by the whole thing.

I went in on a weekday morning and was pleased to find the guided tour had just begun. The instructor was concise, intelligent and quickly gave us a summary of the exhibits. The exhibits themselves were beautiful. You will be amazed by the beautiful pottery and weaving displayed here, and the effort put into emphasizing how each tribe was different from each other shows. I branched off after the 45 minute tour to look at exhibits I was really interested in and then had lunch at the amazing Courtyard Café.
A suggestion would be to have some introductory courses on American Indian culture and history accessible online to people who’re interested in learning more about it. I would definitely sign up for it! :)

I always love this place. So much to see. I learn something new every visit. I like to bring my visiting friends here to expose them.
Today we went late enough that they didn’t charge us for entry. I don’t know if that’s a regular practice but pretty cool.
The listening stations & activities were fun. I went to this museum for the first time maybe 12 years ago & it’s amazing to see how it has grown.
I’m curious who goes there to buy $ 40,000 jewelry though. Wow!

I think any opportunity to learn more about the Native American story is a great opportunity that should be taken advantage of.
In terms of content, you will definitely be able to walk away with a better understanding of Native American history, culture, different ethnic groups/​tribes, migration, and education. I appreciated the level of detail, references, and artifacts throughout the museum. The museum has a wealth of info… both historical and contemporary. However, all tribes arent represented equally throughout the museum, which is cool but it will be helpful to understand why.
There are also several interactive games throughout the museum to engage in.
In terms of layout, I thought the museum did not have a good flow or at least it was a little difficult to understand the flow. While touring the museum, I often wondered «where do I go next» or «what’s the premise of this section».
But that shouldn’t stop you from visiting this great facility.
They have free admission on Sundays in July which will get you into every part of the museum except for the Lego exhibit.
Check it out!

The Heard Museum is probably one of the best we have ever been in!
The history of the indigenous First Nation people in North America is both sad and very compelling. And, the collection the Heard family has assembled and the museum has added to is incredible. Yet, it’s the little exhibits that move me the most. I am still brought to tears whenever at the end of touring, I come to the hand crafted dolls of the US Marine WWII Navajo code talkers raising the American flag (See photos).
On our most recent trip here, we enjoyed the Barry Goldwater Bolo Tie exhibit, and listening to the tour guide of First Nation peoples in Arizona.
BTW, the best deal is becoming a Member of the Heard by showing your AAA card. It’s a small discount but you get their magazine and newsletter.
Enjoy!