Holding a single festival is more inclusive. Culture-specific festivals that feature only the Hopi, Navajo, and Zuni left out many other Native people of the region. The culture-specific festivals also created difficulties for many people who are mixed Native Heritage. 

Holding three separate festivals stretched the museum staff, volunteers, and budget. With one festival, MNA can more strongly focus marketing and resources, which benefits the artists and visitors. 

The post-festival survey revealed that the diversity of artists featured at the 2022 festival was a highlight for visitors. Artists from tribes that had been excluded in the past were appreciative to have this opportunity, and one commented, “It’s about time!” 

Ninety years ago, when the first Hopi Craftsman Show took place, Flagstaff was a very different place. The numerous events – including the parade, concerts, and the opening weekend of Art in the Park downtown – were not occurring. Decades ago, having the show near the July 4th holiday made sense because it attracted visitors and gave them something culturally-significant to the region to attend. Now, there is a lot of competition from other events during that holiday weekend, including Art in the Park, which is free of charge. Moving Heritage Festival to the weekend prior to July 4th will create less competition from other events. The 2022 post-festival survey revealed a majority preference for having the festival earlier in the summer. 

The Heritage Festival, then known as the Craftsman Show, started as a way to encourage the production of fine, quality crafts from tribal communities. MNA is still committed to that goal. By jurying in a wide variety of Native artists who create fine crafts and artwork, MNA is able to showcase the talent and heritage existing on the Colorado Plateau.

In the past, MNA was unable to carefully curate a selection of quality artists who were
committed to the Heritage Festival. MNA often times ended up with artists who did not
show up to the festival or artists who did not make quality work. By jurying in artists,
MNA is able to commit to hosting a market with authentic artwork and renowned Native
artists.

Covid created awareness of how much safer it is for people to gather outdoors. The post-festival survey responses confirmed that visitors prefer the market setting outdoors, not just because it is safer but because it also allows for more space to view art and talk with artists.  

In order to make space for more artists, the market must be outside the museum, as there is very limited space within the museum walls. Holding the market outdoors allows the museum exhibits to be enjoyed without them being blocked by artists’ booths. Large tents will be set up to host most of the artists, while artists who prefer to bring their own tents will have that option. 

Yes, MNA members will be invited to an exclusive preview of the Artist Market on Friday, June 23. 

Yes, the juried competition will give out awards in twenty-four categories. While most of the categories will be open to all Heritage Festival artists, some are set aside specifically to recognize excellence in arts specific to the Hopi, Diné, Zuni, and Pai. 

The timeframe to enter art into the competition has been changed. This year, drop-off will be from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 pm on Friday, June 23, allowing one hour later than in past years for those who are traveling to enter their art. 

The Museum of Northern Arizona is required by the State of Arizona to collect a list of
participating vendors, their contact information, and their Transaction Privilege Tax
license number. All artists are requested to provide this information to MNA prior to
participating in the Heritage Festival.

In order to comply with the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990, the Museum of Northern
Arizona must verify that all applicants comply with the requirements of the Indian Arts
and Crafts Board.

Requiring proof of tribal enrollment also ensures that the Museum of Northern Arizona
will host a wide variety of authentic Native American artwork.

All previous participates from the Zuni, Hopi, and Navajo shows, as well as any artist from the Pai, Northern Ute, Southern Paiute, and Yavapai Apache tribes.

New and upcoming Native artists are welcome to apply as well, as MNA is also committed to fostering talent regardless of experience

The artists’ application and booth fees cover the cost of putting on the Heritage Festival,
such as advertising and marketing, tent rentals, the juried competition, staff time,
cultural performances and signage. There are also administrative costs, which the
application fees cover.

Artists, other vendors, staff, and volunteers will park either at Flagstaff Arts Academy or Coconino Center for the Arts. This will allow the parking lots on both sides of Fort Valley Road to be available for visitors. A shuttle will be available to take artists/vendors, staff, and volunteers to and from their vehicles.  

Visitors will be able to park in all of the parking available on the east side of Fort Valley Road and in most of the parking lot on the museum side.