Land Acknowledgement
The Tewa People, and the neighboring communities of Tiwa, Towa, Keres, Jicarilla Apache, and Mescalero Apache, and Diné, have been committed to a reciprocal relationship with this land for generations. The Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts, located in this place, recognizes this history and celebrates O’Ga P’Ogeh Owingeh (White Shell Water Place) past, present, and future.
The Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts preserves a diverse collection of global Indigenous art. We recognize that some portions of our collection have historical ties to communities whose cultures and livelihoods have been adversely affected by settler colonialism. We also recognize the agency of artists, then and now, to create works that foster beauty, resilience, and independence. Our founder, Ted Coe, viewed collecting as a path for growing relationships. This principle makes us consider these artworks as living relatives; we honor them and their ties to current peoples. We deeply appreciate all of the stories and journeys held within these relatives, including the moments of great joy and moments of discomfort. These are not words for us; we treat our relatives with the utmost respect.
In our work here, we prioritize meaningful connections with the Coe Center Collection as an open resource by providing direct access to it through our programming, monthly open houses, and special events. We are committed to a process of sharing, learning, and growth across all generations of our community and to forging new paths, pushing boundaries, and offering opportunities for revolutionary invention.
Mission
The Coe Center explores and connects through experiencing the world’s Indigenous Arts.
The Coe Center creates awareness, education, and appreciation of Indigenous Arts. We connect people and art through inclusive hands-on experiential learning and partnering. In this, we responsibly steward a diverse and eclectic collection of world Indigenous Art that supports community narratives.
Our Story
The Coe Center, founded by former museum curator, Director, and collector extraordinaire, Ralph T. Coe (1929-2010), is dedicated to increasing public awareness, education, and appreciation of Indigenous arts, emphasizing hands-on experience and learning through actively engaging art. The Coe Center is the legacy of Ralph T. Coe, known as Ted to his family and friends. This search for knowledge and his quest to understand the human condition is evident in the varied collections he left behind and in his creation of the Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts, a private operating 501(c)3 located in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The Coe’s unusual eclectic collection of over 2,500 objects represents worldwide Indigenous cultures, with its core encompassing the span of historic to contemporary North American Native works. He collected not only art objects, but also immersed himself in the culture that produced them. He was not one to theorize, but rather chose to expound on the beauty and singularity of art, as well as on the ceremonies he witnessed. As one Native American artist remembered, Ted was “accommodating; he was easy to be with, laughed, and just went with the flow without too much fanfare. He was humble.”
To this day, his loving friends share delightful Ted stories, of how he never met a stranger and was endlessly curious about others. A visitor to his home might leave four hours later, as Ted, eyes shining, would engage with them, talking about the people and history behind the many objects he collected. Ted felt if one sincerely took the time to look at objects, they would draw us into the circle creating the opportunity to cross diversities leading to a greater understanding of each other and our histories and heritage.
Today, we continue to build on his legacy, committed to inspiring people of all ages and from all walks of life to be inquisitive and search beyond their own known experiences. Our current youth development and artist-led programs include the Hands-On Curatorial Program for high school students, now in its fifth year; Artist programs connecting with the public; and Coe in the Classroom. And, we host events and have several special exhibitions throughout the year, as well as partnering with arts and community groups.
For more about Ted and how to visit the Coe, please don’t hesitate to contact us for a free tour.