| :: New York City >Financial District
:: |
Attraction >Landmark
|
| ::
Description and Basic Information ::
|
The George Gustav Heye Center gives Native American artwork a much-needed voice. The Museum chronicles the Native American experience through a range of exhibitions, film and video screenings, school group programs and living culture presentations throughout the year.
One of New York's most visited museum's, the Beaux Arts-style building (the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House) was designed by architect Cass Gilbert and completed in 1907. It's a designated National Historic Landmark and a member of the Smithsonian family of museums - just two of the many reasons it is worth visiting.
Upon entrance to the museum, visitors will note the orientation exhibit, which then leads to temporary exhibits and several of its original collections. The permanent collection includes ''Creation's Journey: Masterworks of Native American Identity and Belief'' where visitors can explore 165 objects chosen for their aesthetic quality, rarity and historical significance, as well as high artistic achievement and broad representation of diverse cultures. Commentary from anthropologists, curators, historians and native people enhances the exhibition with a multivoiced perspective. Objects date from 3200 B.C. to the 2nd century and represent tribal groups from North, Central and South America. Another highlight of the collection includes ''All Roads Are Good: Native Voices on Life and Culture,'' which displays more than 300 objects chosen by 23 Native Americans, reflecting the world view of the indigenous peoples of the Western Hemisphere. The exhibit's first-person voices are the actual recorded responses each selector – artists, singers, storytellers, educators, elders and community leaders – made with regard to the objects.
The Heye Center occupies two floors of the Custom House and is located in lower Manhattan. Admission is free of charge and the museum is open to the public every day except Christmas. |
|
|
|
|
|
:: New York City >Financial District :: |
|
|
