Autry Museum Marshall McKay Seminar – Defining Native Art

-Nancy Mithlo (Chiricahua Apache), University of California, Los Angeles
-Celestina Castillo (Tohono O’odham) United American Indian Involvement

Defining Native Art
Native American art serves a variety of audiences in multiple ways. From the collector to the museum/art gallery and tribal members, defining Native art can be challenging. This session will explore the diversity of Native art from three different perspectives.

Marshall McKay Seminar for Empowering Native Knowledge
Perspectives on Native Art and Museums

Named in honor of Marshall McKay, former Chairman of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation Tribal Council and the first Native person to serve as Chair of the Autry’s Board, the Marshall McKay Seminar seeks to empower Native knowledge. It will address topics that impact Indian Country—and beyond. This year’s inaugural seminar delves into the significant changes that have reshaped museums and their relationship to Native history, culture, and art. The two-day symposium, which will be livestreamed across Indian Country, will feature a variety of perspectives from Native artists, knowledge keepers, scholars, and museum professionals. Panels will explore how Native curators are changing the museum narrative, the role of tribal museums, and the interpretation of Native art, with a particularly deep dive into California Native art.