Celestial Bodies: Native Astronomy of the US Southwest

FAIN: GE-278227-21

Museum of New Mexico Foundation (Santa Fe, NM 87501-4326)
Della C. Warrior (Project Director: September 2020 to December 2021)
Matthew J. Martinez (Project Director: December 2021 to April 2022)
Khristaan D. Villela (Project Director: April 2022 to July 2022)
Phillip Karshis (Project Director: July 2022 to November 2023)
Polly Nordstand (Project Director: November 2023 to present)

Planning a temporary exhibition on astronomical knowledge and practice of southwestern U.S. Native tribes.

The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture (MIAC) in Santa Fe, New Mexico requests a grant to support planning of a temporary exhibition, Celestial Bodies: Native Astronomy of the US Southwest. This exhibition is significant as it will highlight the intellectual sophistication and awareness that Native people in the Southwest have—and have had for millennia—for the sky and its celestial bodies and events. While centered on the Southwest’s distinctive expressions and cultural contexts, Celestial Bodies also will demonstrate the commonality of astronomical thinking worldwide, across time and cultures. The participation of a diverse array of humanities scholars and Native consultants ensures that the exhibition’s content, format, and interpretive approach will bring humanities ideas and insights to life for general audiences.