Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture - Spokane, Washington - Regional History, Art Gallery, and American Indian Exhibitions

The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture in Spokane, Washington includes large collections with over 68,000 objects that represent fine art and material culture from Europe, Asia, and North and South America. Collections include art, artifacts, and materials categorized into three separate disciplines such as Regional History, Fine Art, and American Indian.

The Regional History discipline represents major regional themes including exploration, settlement, economics, communications, the domestic arts, and entertainment and community events. Included in this collection of exhibits is a large textile collection with quilts and clothing spanning from the 19th Century to present. The 1898 Campbell House complex that was built by the mine owner Amasa B. Campbell is interpreted here. Original furnishings and research documents are provided for viewing.

The American Indian Collection provides a representation of culture groups from North, South, and Central America. The exhibit includes over 10,000 photographic images of the Plateau Indian culture. There are also modern works from living American Indian artists of the region and Plateau.

The Fine Art Collection includes historic regional paintings, artwork associated with the Works Progress Administration's Spokane Art Center, from 1938-1941, and Vanessa Z. Helder's Grand Coulee Dam Construction painting exhibition. Regional contemporary art is also displayed including work from Kristen Capp, James Lavadour, Jim Hodges, Doug Safranek and major pieces by Edward and Nancy Reddin Kienholz.

The exhibit gallery and store hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the first Friday of each month open until 8 p.m. The museum is closed Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays, along with all major holidays. The museum is open on New Year's Day as part of the First Day Spokane recognition. Admission fees are $7 for adults, $5 for seniors age 62 and older, and $5 for students with valid school identification required, and children under the age of five years old are free. Group rates are available for 15 or more people at a rate of $5 per person and $4 for students.

The gallery offers an art at work sales and rental program where local area businesses can have artwork delivered to their home or business for periodic displays at very reasonable charges. This art rental program provides exposure of local area artists and gives them the exposure they deserve. At the end of the rental period, selections can be renewed, purchased, or returned and rotated for another round of new art pieces. Museum and gallery staff delivers and picks up any and all artwork to provide safe delivery and removal of the pieces.

An on-site museum store is open during the same hours and days as the museum. The store includes a large assortment of handmade items, museum logo merchandise, jewelry, books, and assorted gifts. The book selection includes historic and cultural items emphasizing the Inland Northwest and American Indian culture. The Cafy MAC by D'Zaar is located nearby and on the museum campus serving American and Middle Eastern lunch selections. From salads and starters to burgers and fries, the cafy is sure to offer something for every palate. Cafy hours accompany that of the art museum and gallery.