Arts of Africa and the Americas
The Arts of Africa and the Americas Department is dedicated to the immense creativity of Native artists across the world, from prehistory to the present. The collection has grown significantly since the department was founded more than 30 years ago, and now numbers more than 5,500 objects, including masterworks of sculpture, ceramics, textiles, metalsmithing, painting, basketry, and bead-, shell-, and quillwork, reflecting the diversity of these regions and cultures.
Department Staff
Jan-Lodewijk Grootaers
Curator of African Art
Arts of Africa and the Americas Department Head
Jill Ahlberg Yohe
Associate Curator of Native American Art
Tobie Miller
Curatorial Department Assistant and Artist Liaison
Juan Lucero
Mdewakanton Native Art Fellow, 2020–21
Contact
Email: aaa@artsmia.org
Phone: 612.870.3286
Browse the Collection
Highlights from the Native American Collection
Spectacular works of Native art across time and place in Mia’s collection, including many new acquisitions.
Highlights from the African Art Collection
African and African Diaspora artists creating works of art, from Ancient Egypt to today.
Highlights from the Oceanic Art Collection
Artworks from Australia and the Pacific Islands, including Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, and Hawaii.
Resources
African Art Programs, Talks, and Presentations
Explore a wealth of recorded lectures, talks, and other videos on art and artists from Africa and the African Diaspora.
Native American Programs, Talks, and Presentations
Find recorded lectures, talks, and other videos on Native artists and arts here.
Durades Dialogues
Co-presented with Obsidian Arts, Durades Dialogues honors the actions of arts-advocate Jean Ann Durades. The program brings significant work by artists, curators, and other creatives of African descent to the attention of Minnesota audiences.
Support
Affinity Groups
Mia’s Affinity Groups are a great way for museum members to connect more closely with special areas of art interest, allowing you to delve deeper into the curatorial area of your choice.
Art Champions
The restoration and conservation of artworks in Mia’s collection are ever-present concerns. Art Champions is a program that connects art lovers with artworks that require conservation to be displayed to the public.