December 1, 2023–December 31, 2024
Final Report | Summary
The Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts has completed the Native American Collections Digital Resource Pilot Project, a groundbreaking initiative graciously funded by the Henry Luce Foundation. This project focused on updating and improving the Coe’s Collection Management System to ensure the accurate, culturally appropriate documentation of Native American artworks. Through deep collaboration with Indigenous artists and community members, the Coe Center reviewed over 350 objects, correcting records, enhancing cultural narratives, and strengthening relationships with home communities.
This initiative aligns with the Coe Center’s broader Restructuring Initiative, including the planned rehoming of its 2,500-object collection to institutions and communities committed to cultural engagement through its Rehoming Program. While the Coe Center is winding down operations, its commitment to ethical stewardship and Indigenous collaboration will continue through these partnerships, ensuring that Native art remains accessible and accurately represented.
To learn more about the project’s impact and legacy, flip through the online PDF below!