News from MIAC/Lab

MAY 8, 2025

 Santa Fe, NM—The Museum of Indian Arts & Culture is proud to announce the return of its highly anticipated Native Dance Series for 2025, celebrating the rich traditions and cultural expression of Native communities through dance. The series begins Sunday, May 18 from noon to 7:30 p.m. with a Spring Gourd Dance on Milner Plaza and continues with monthly performances through October.

The 2025 Native Dance Series showcases dance groups from across the Southwest and beyond, offering the public a unique opportunity to experience living cultural traditions in an inclusive and welcoming setting.

2025 Native Dance Series Schedule:

May 18 Spring Gourd Dance  Head Gourd Dancer: John Cannon (Arapaho), Master of Ceremonies: James Edwards (Pawnee/Northern Cheyenne/Comanche), Arena Director: Gabe Chavez, (Cochiti/ Tesuque Pueblo), Host Drum: Southern Tribe, Cedric Chavez (Cochiti Pueblo).

June 21 Southern Northern Dance Group from Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, NM

July 19 Ka La Kapu Dance School from Albuquerque, NM

August 2–3 4th Annual Youth Hoop Dance Championship

September 20 Ganado High School Dance Group from Ganado, AZ

October 12 White Mountain Apache Crown Dancers from White Mountain, AZ

All events take place at Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, 710 Camino Lejo | Santa Fe, NM 87505. Everyone is welcome. Seating is limited, please bring your own chair.

“Dance is a vital part of Indigenous culture and storytelling,” said Marita Hinds Director of Education at MIAC. “Through this series, we honor and support Native dancers who carry forward these powerful traditions, and we invite our community to witness and celebrate them.”

MIAC is committed to creating inclusive and accessible events. If you need a reasonable accommodation to attend, please contact the museum at (505) 476-1269. There is no admission fee to watch the dances, and they all take place outdoors. Dances are subject to weather cancellation or postponement.

About the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture 

The Museum of Indian Arts & Culture is a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, under the leadership of the Board of Regents for the Museum of New Mexico. Programs and exhibits are generously supported by the Museum of New Mexico Foundation and our donors. The mission of the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture/Laboratory of Anthropology is to serve as a center of stewardship, knowledge, and understanding of the artistic, cultural, and intellectual achievements of the diverse peoples of the Native Southwest.