How to Explore Native Art at the Gilcrease Museum

The Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma, stands as one of the most significant repositories of Native American art and cultural artifacts in the United States. Founded by Thomas Gilcrease, a Creek Nation oilman and passionate collector, the museum houses over 500,000 artifacts spanning more than 15,000 years of Indigenous history across North and Central America. From ancient pottery and intricate beadwork to monumental paintings and ceremonial regalia, the collection offers an unparalleled window into the spiritual, social, and artistic expressions of Native peoples. For visitors, scholars, and cultural enthusiasts, exploring Native art at the Gilcrease Museum is not merely an aesthetic experience—it is an act of historical reclamation, educational enrichment, and respectful engagement with living traditions. This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step roadmap to help you navigate, understand, and deeply connect with the museum’s Native art holdings, ensuring your visit is both meaningful and informed.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Plan Your Visit in Advance

Before setting foot in the museum, preparation is essential. The Gilcrease Museum’s vast collection and expansive galleries can be overwhelming without direction. Begin by visiting the official website at gilcrease.org. Here, you’ll find current exhibition schedules, operating hours, and special events. Native art is often displayed in rotating thematic exhibitions, so identifying which galleries are open during your planned visit ensures you don’t miss key pieces.

Consider timing your visit during weekdays or early mornings to avoid crowds. The museum’s permanent collection includes over 10,000 Native American artifacts, and quiet hours allow for deeper contemplation of delicate works such as Navajo weavings, Pueblo pottery, and Inuit carvings. Additionally, check for guided tours—many are led by curators or Indigenous cultural consultants who offer nuanced context not found in labels.

2. Understand the Scope and Diversity of the Collection

Native art is not a monolith. The Gilcrease Museum’s holdings represent more than 250 distinct tribal nations, from the Arctic Circle to Mesoamerica. Take time to familiarize yourself with the major cultural regions represented: the Southwest (Pueblo, Navajo, Hopi), the Plains (Lakota, Cheyenne, Comanche), the Pacific Northwest (Tlingit, Haida, Kwakwaka’wakw), the Southeast (Cherokee, Creek, Seminole), and the Arctic (Inuit, Yup’ik).

Each region has unique artistic traditions shaped by environment, spirituality, and historical experience. For example, Southwest pottery often features geometric designs derived from ancestral Puebloan motifs, while Northwest Coast art is characterized by formline design and totemic symbolism. Recognizing these distinctions helps you move beyond surface-level appreciation to a deeper understanding of cultural intention.

3. Begin with the Permanent Collection Galleries

Start your exploration in the museum’s permanent Native American galleries, which are arranged chronologically and thematically. The earliest artifacts include Clovis points and Folsom projectile tips from the Paleoindian period, demonstrating the sophistication of early North American tool-making. As you progress, you’ll encounter ceramic vessels from the Ancestral Puebloans, adorned with black-on-white painted designs that reflect astronomical knowledge and cosmological beliefs.

Don’t overlook the textile sections. Navajo rugs, often woven with indigo and cochineal dyes, are displayed alongside Hopi kachina dolls carved from cottonwood root. These objects are not decorative; they are sacred, ceremonial, and deeply embedded in community identity. Pay attention to the materials used—turquoise, abalone shell, eagle feathers, and porcupine quills—each carries symbolic meaning and speaks to relationships between people, land, and spirit.

4. Engage with the Thomas Gilcrease Collection of American Western Art

While the museum is renowned for Native art, its extensive collection of American Western paintings by artists like Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell also provides critical context. Many of these works depict Native life during the 19th century, often from a colonial perspective. Use these pieces as a point of contrast: compare how Indigenous artists represented their own communities versus how Euro-American artists portrayed them. This comparative lens fosters critical thinking and reveals the power dynamics embedded in visual representation.

Look for paintings that include Native figures wearing traditional regalia—these can be cross-referenced with the museum’s actual artifacts to understand authenticity, variation, and adaptation over time. For instance, a painting may show a Plains warrior with a feather headdress; nearby, the museum may display the actual eagle feather headdress from a specific tribe, revealing differences in structure, materials, and ceremonial use.

5. Utilize Digital Labels and Interactive Displays

The Gilcrease Museum has invested in modern interpretive technologies. Many exhibits now feature QR codes linked to audio recordings, video interviews with contemporary Native artists, and 3D scans of fragile objects. Scan these codes with your smartphone to hear firsthand accounts from tribal members about the cultural significance of the items on display.

For example, a ceramic bowl from the Mimbres culture may be accompanied by an audio clip from a Zuni elder explaining how similar forms are still used in modern ceremonial contexts. These digital enhancements bridge historical distance and affirm that Native art is not confined to the past—it is a living, evolving practice.

6. Visit the Native American Art Study Center

For those seeking deeper scholarly engagement, the museum’s Native American Art Study Center is an invaluable resource. Open by appointment, this climate-controlled space allows researchers and serious visitors to examine objects not currently on public display. You may request to view textiles, baskets, or ceremonial items that are too delicate for general exhibition.

Staff archivists are trained in cultural sensitivity and can provide access to archival photographs, field notes from early 20th-century ethnographers, and correspondence between collectors and tribal leaders. This center transforms passive observation into active research, enabling you to trace provenance, understand acquisition histories, and recognize the ethical dimensions of museum collecting.

7. Attend a Cultural Demonstration or Workshop

Periodically, the museum hosts live demonstrations by Native artisans. These may include beadwork, pottery wheel throwing, basket weaving, or traditional dance performances. These events are not performances for entertainment—they are acts of cultural transmission. Watch how materials are prepared, how patterns are memorized and passed down, and how the artist speaks about their lineage and community.

Many workshops invite visitors to try their hand at simple techniques under the guidance of the artist. Participation is not about “learning to make Native art” but about understanding the patience, discipline, and spiritual focus embedded in the process. These experiences often leave a more lasting impression than any label or plaque.

8. Reflect and Journal Your Experience

After your visit, take time to reflect. Bring a notebook or use a digital journal to record your observations. Ask yourself: What surprised me? What felt sacred? What questions remain unanswered? Journaling helps solidify learning and encourages emotional connection.

Consider writing responses to prompts such as: “How does this object reflect a relationship with the natural world?” or “What does this piece reveal about the artist’s identity?” These reflective practices transform your visit from a sightseeing trip into a personal journey of cultural understanding.

Best Practices

Respect Cultural Protocols

Many Native artworks are not merely art—they are sacred objects, ceremonial tools, or ancestral remains. Some items may be restricted from photography or require silence in their presence. Always follow posted guidelines and observe the behavior of others. If you’re unsure whether a particular object is sensitive, err on the side of caution and refrain from photographing or commenting aloud.

Some tribes have specific protocols around the handling or depiction of certain symbols, such as sacred animals or spiritual figures. Avoid reducing these to “decorative motifs.” Understand that a Zuni fetishes carving is not a souvenir—it is a prayer object.

Use Inclusive and Accurate Language

Language matters. Avoid outdated or colonial terms such as “primitive,” “tribal,” or “Indian.” Instead, use specific tribal names (e.g., “Lakota,” “Hopi,” “Cherokee”) or the term “Native American” or “Indigenous” when referring broadly. The museum itself uses precise terminology, and aligning with this language demonstrates respect and cultural literacy.

When discussing historical periods, avoid implying that Native cultures are “extinct” or “frozen in time.” Many of the artists whose works are displayed are living, contemporary creators. Acknowledge the continuity of Native traditions and the resilience of Indigenous communities.

Support Native Voices

Seek out and amplify Native perspectives. Read the artist bios on exhibit labels. If a piece is created by a living artist, learn their name, tribe, and community. Follow them on social media if they are active. Purchase art directly from Native artists or galleries that partner with tribal cooperatives.

The Gilcrease Museum often collaborates with tribal elders and cultural advisors in developing exhibitions. Pay attention to credits such as “Curated in consultation with the Osage Nation” or “Texts provided by Navajo language speakers.” These partnerships signify ethical curation and should be recognized as models for responsible museum practice.

Practice Mindful Observation

Native art often rewards slow, attentive viewing. Rather than rushing from one case to the next, select one or two pieces per visit and spend 10–15 minutes with them. Observe the texture, the brushstroke, the symmetry, the wear patterns. Ask: Who made this? For what purpose? What materials were available in their environment? How was it used in daily or spiritual life?

Many objects were made for function first—pottery for storage, blankets for warmth, masks for ritual. Their beauty emerges from utility. Recognizing this interplay between form and function deepens appreciation beyond aesthetics.

Understand the Ethics of Collection

Not all objects in the museum were acquired ethically. Many were taken during periods of forced removal, war, or under coercive conditions. The museum has made strides in repatriation efforts under NAGPRA (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act), but awareness of this history is essential.

When you encounter an object with unclear provenance, reflect on the broader context: Who owned it before it entered the museum? How did it leave its community? What might its original caretakers have felt about its displacement? This critical lens transforms your visit into an act of ethical engagement.

Tools and Resources

Official Gilcrease Museum Website and Digital Archive

The museum’s website hosts a searchable digital collection with high-resolution images and detailed catalog entries for over 30,000 Native artifacts. Use filters by tribe, medium, date, or region to explore items not currently on display. Each entry includes provenance information, scholarly notes, and sometimes links to related publications.

Visit: gilcrease.org/collection

Mobile App: Gilcrease Explorer

Download the free Gilcrease Explorer app for iOS and Android. It offers audio guides in multiple languages, augmented reality overlays that reconstruct how artifacts were originally used, and curated walking tours based on interest—such as “Women’s Artistic Traditions” or “Sacred Objects of the Plains.” The app also includes interactive maps to help you navigate the museum’s sprawling campus.

Recommended Books and Publications

Before your visit, deepen your knowledge with these authoritative texts:

• Native American Art in the Twentieth Century by W. Jackson Rushing
• The Art of the American Indian: The First 5,000 Years by Pauline C. Turner
• Native American Art: A Visual History by R. H. Linstrom
• Indigenous Art of the Americas by the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

Many of these are available as e-books through public libraries via OverDrive or Libby.

Academic Databases and Journals

For researchers, access scholarly articles through JSTOR, Project MUSE, and Google Scholar using keywords such as “Gilcrease Museum Native art,” “Indigenous material culture,” or “Native American aesthetics.” The museum’s library, open to the public by appointment, houses rare monographs and unpublished ethnographic reports.

Online Exhibitions and Virtual Tours

Even if you cannot visit in person, the museum offers immersive virtual tours of its Native art galleries. These 360-degree experiences include narrated commentary and zoomable images of fine details. Explore the “Voices of the Ancestors” virtual exhibit, which features oral histories paired with ancestral artifacts.

Access virtual tours at: gilcrease.org/virtual-tours

Native Artist Directories and Collaborative Platforms

Extend your learning beyond the museum by connecting with contemporary Native artists:

• Native American Art Center – Features profiles of artists from federally recognized tribes
• Indigenous Art Collective – A global network promoting Indigenous art practices
• Tribal Arts Magazine – Journal with in-depth artist interviews and exhibition reviews

Real Examples

Example 1: The Mimbres Bowl – A Window into Ancient Cosmology

One of the museum’s most celebrated pieces is a 12th-century Mimbres bowl from southwestern New Mexico. The bowl’s interior is painted with a single, highly stylized black-and-white image of a fish. At first glance, it appears decorative. But deeper research reveals its significance: the fish represents a spiritual guide in Mimbres cosmology, often associated with water, fertility, and the journey between worlds.

When viewed alongside a contemporary Pueblo potter’s work from the same region, you see continuity. Modern potters still paint fish motifs, not as mere decoration, but as prayers for rain and abundance. The museum’s digital label includes an interview with a Hopi elder who explains how the fish symbol appears in kachina dances today. This connection across centuries transforms the bowl from an artifact into a living testament.

Example 2: The Plains Beadwork Robe – Identity and Resistance

A 19th-century Lakota hide robe, adorned with thousands of glass seed beads, depicts scenes of horse raids and buffalo hunts. Each bead was painstakingly sewn by women using needles made from bone. The patterns are not random—they encode clan affiliations, war honors, and spiritual visions.

When this robe was acquired by Gilcrease in the 1940s, it was labeled simply as “Plains Indian costume.” Today, the museum’s interpretive text, developed in collaboration with Lakota historians, identifies the specific warrior who wore it, the clan he belonged to, and the sacred vision that inspired the design. The robe is now presented as a document of resistance—created during a time of forced assimilation, it asserts cultural pride and survival.

Example 3: The Inuit Ivory Carving – Environment and Adaptation

A small ivory carving of a walrus, carved by an Inuit artist from Alaska around 1920, is displayed with a map showing the migration routes of walrus herds. The carving’s surface is worn smooth from handling, indicating it was carried as a personal talisman during hunting expeditions.

Modern Inuit artists continue this tradition, but now use antler and stone due to restrictions on ivory trade. The museum juxtaposes the historical carving with a contemporary piece by an Inuit woman who carved a walrus using recycled whalebone, commenting on climate change and cultural adaptation. This pairing illustrates how Native art evolves in response to environmental and political pressures.

Example 4: The Cherokee Basket – Weaving as Language

A finely woven Cherokee basket, made from rivercane and dyed with butternut and black walnut, features a geometric pattern known as “the path of the ancestors.” The basket was made in the 1880s by a woman who had survived the Trail of Tears. The tightness of the weave, the precision of the pattern, and the choice of natural dyes were acts of cultural preservation.

Today, Cherokee women in Oklahoma still teach this technique in community workshops. The museum displays a video of a modern weaver explaining how the patterns are memorized through song and repetition. This example shows how Native art is not static—it is a dynamic, intergenerational practice of memory and resilience.

FAQs

Can I take photographs of the Native art at the Gilcrease Museum?

Photography is permitted in most galleries for personal, non-commercial use, unless otherwise posted. Flash photography, tripods, and selfie sticks are prohibited to protect delicate materials. Some sacred or culturally sensitive objects may be marked with “No Photography” signs—please respect these restrictions.

Is the Gilcrease Museum accessible to visitors with disabilities?

Yes. The museum is fully ADA-compliant, with wheelchair-accessible pathways, elevators, and restrooms. Audio guides and large-print brochures are available at the information desk. Tactile models of select artifacts are offered for visually impaired visitors upon request.

Are there any free admission days or discounts?

Yes. The museum offers free admission on the first Sunday of each month. Students, seniors, and military personnel receive discounted tickets. Oklahoma residents may also qualify for reduced rates with proof of residency.

Can I bring children to the museum?

Children are welcome. The museum offers family-friendly activity sheets and a “Discovery Cart” with replica artifacts for hands-on learning. Guided family tours are available on weekends. We encourage parents to use the visit as an opportunity to discuss cultural respect and historical context.

How does the museum ensure ethical representation of Native cultures?

The Gilcrease Museum works directly with tribal nations through its Native Advisory Council, composed of representatives from over 40 federally recognized tribes. Exhibitions are co-curated, labels are reviewed by cultural consultants, and repatriation requests are processed in accordance with NAGPRA. The museum prioritizes Indigenous voices in all interpretive materials.

What if I want to donate a Native artifact to the museum?

The museum accepts donations only after a rigorous review process conducted by curators and the Native Advisory Council. All proposed donations must include documented provenance and evidence of legal ownership. The museum does not acquire objects with questionable or unethical histories.

Are there any Native-led programs or events I can attend?

Yes. The museum regularly hosts Native artist residencies, language revitalization workshops, storytelling circles, and seasonal ceremonies. These events are open to the public and often require registration. Check the events calendar on the website for upcoming opportunities.

Conclusion

Exploring Native art at the Gilcrease Museum is not a passive activity—it is a journey into the heart of Indigenous creativity, resilience, and worldview. Every bead, brushstroke, and carved form tells a story not just of the past, but of enduring identity and cultural continuity. By approaching the collection with preparation, respect, and critical awareness, you become not only a visitor but a steward of memory.

The museum’s commitment to ethical curation, community collaboration, and educational outreach sets a standard for institutions worldwide. As you walk through its halls, remember that you are not merely observing artifacts—you are standing in the presence of living traditions. The pottery still holds the hands that shaped it. The beadwork still carries the prayers of its maker. The songs that inspired the patterns are still being sung today.

Leave with more than images on your phone. Leave with questions, with humility, and with a deeper commitment to understanding Native America—not as a relic, but as a vibrant, evolving force. Whether you return for another visit, support Native artists in your community, or simply share what you’ve learned with others, your engagement matters. The stories in these galleries are not just for display—they are for remembrance, for reckoning, and for renewal.