February at the Museum of Northern Arizona

Dear Museum Friends,

As we move into the new year, I’d like to share why becoming a member of the Museum of Northern Arizona means a deeper connection to the Colorado Plateau you love, as well as belonging to a community of people who share that interest.

Members enjoy all that MNA has to offer with free year-round general admission to the Museum, early access to exhibitions and events, invitations to member-only experiences, and discounts on select programs and in the Museum Gift Shop. Some membership levels also include reciprocal admission to cultural institutions across the U.S. and Canada through the North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association—an especially valuable perk for frequent travelers and museum lovers.

But membership is about more than benefits—it’s about belonging. Our members are essential to helping us achieve our mission to be a gateway to understanding the Colorado Plateau. Your support helps us share and preserve regional art, culture, and science; fuels learning for all ages; and strengthens MNA as a welcoming community gathering place. In 2026, we are planning a range of exhibitions, events, and programs to engage audiences with life-enriching experiences. I invite you to review our membership levels and choose the option that best fits your interests, household, and budget. If you are already a member, thank you for your commitment to MNA and for being such an important part of our community.

On behalf of all of us at MNA, I look forward to welcoming you to the Museum.

 

Mary Kershaw

Executive Director & CEO

Museum of Northern Arizona

The Museum is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Thursdays to 7 p.m.

Purchase admission tickets online or at the door.

Coming Events

FEBRUARY 12

Member Meetup: Valentine’s Day Collage Making

FEBRUARY 13

Easton Collection Center Tour

FEBRUARY 22

Shades of Route 66:

Visualizing the Past Through GIS

MARCH 9-13

Spring Break Museum Acitivities for Kids

MARCH 13

Easton Collection
Center Tour

MARCH 19

Artist Talk:
David Politzer

See details on all of our coming events.

Highlights

2026 Heritage Festival Artists Call

We invite Indigenous artists of the Colorado Plateau to apply for the 2026 Heritage Festival of Arts and Culture June 26-28 at the Museum of Northern Arizona. This juried festival and art competition celebrates Indigenous art, culture, and traditions. A completed application and $25 application fee must be received by March 20 to be considered. Applications will be reviewed by a jury committee, and accepted artists will be notified by April 20. Download the application.

Call of the Colorado Plateau Now Open

Step into Call of the Colorado Plateau and immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and scents of this extraordinary region. Our latest exhibition reveals how the Colorado Plateau has inspired artists, writers, and explorers for generations. It invites you to slow down and experience the landscape in a more intimate way. Thoughtfully designed multisensory installations create a rich, layered encounter with the natural world—one that rewards lingering.

$10 Sunday Admission for Locals

Northern Arizona neighbors, this one’s for you! Enjoy $10 Sunday admission at the Museum all year long in 2026—a savings of up to $8 per person. Spend your Sunday exploring the art, science, culture, and dinosaurs of the Colorado Plateau. Just mention where you live at the admission desk. Eligible counties: Mohave, Yavapai, Coconino, Navajo, and Apache. Excludes special events and festivals. Make it a Sunday tradition—we can’t wait to welcome you.

Take Our Behind-the-Scenes Tour

Take a rare behind-the-scenes tour of our Easton Collection Center, offered the second Friday of each month. Explore cultural artifacts, natural specimens, and fine art, all housed in a marvel of environmentally friendly and culturally informed architecture. You’ll enjoy up-close encounters with pottery, jewelry, artifacts, and more; insights from expert guides who bring the collections to life; a small group setting for a truly personal experience. Reserved your spot today.

Museum Open Until 7 p.m. Thursdays

Enjoy the Museum after hours during our Twilight Thursdays, with galleries and exhibitions open until 7 p.m., plus enjoy an admission perk. Beginning at 4 p.m. each Thursday, admission is pay-what-you-wish—meaning you decide what to pay to explore the art, science, and cultures of the Colorado Plateau. This special opportunity is made possible through the generosity of a Museum donor, helping make the Museum of Northern Arizona more accessible to all.

Exhibitions

Call of the Colorado Plateau

Opens January 25, 2026

Step into a world of vast horizons, rugged canyons, and quiet solitude with Call of the Colorado Plateau. This immersive exhibition invites visitors to explore the profound impact of nature on the human spirit. Artists and adventurers drawn to stunning landscapes figure prominently, yet the show goes beyond the visual with multisensory experiences that capture the essence of being in the wilds.

Wagon Road to Mother Road

Open through October 2026

Explore the evolution of U.S. Highway 66, from its alignment with the Beale Wagon Road to its profound impact on northern Arizona. Based on MNA research, the show reveals captivating stories about the wild side of the iconic highway—including tales of drinking and driving, breakdown camps, and car crashes. Gain a deeper appreciation for the enduring legacy of Route 66 and American road travel.

Shifting Life Zones

Open through April 30, 2026

Shifting Life Zones invites visitors to explore the transformations unfolding across northern Arizona landscapes. This region, where the concept of life zones originated, is a prime example of how zones are shifting with climate changes. The exhibit unveils the shifting boundaries of plant life as they adapt to a warming world and points to changes here on campus and across the broader region.

Katsintithu—Katsina Dolls

Ongoing

Explore the tradition and artistry of Hopi katsina dolls in a new MNA installation. Selected with consultation from Hopi cultural leaders, the dolls on display are from the museum’s extensive collection—rotating in the exhibit every six months. The rotations will examine a variety themes, providing insight into the origin, cultural importance, and artistic heritage of katsina dolls.

Classes
Let your creative spirit thrive. Learn how to paint or draw or take a nature journaling course. Classes are taught by local artists in Discovery Village on the beautiful campus of the Museum of Northern Arizona. Learn more and register.
Museum Shop

Print by Baje Whitethorne Sr.

Baje grew up on the Navajo Nation near Shonto, Ariz. He was first drawn into the world of storytelling when he and his brothers would make up stories on the way to their grandmother’s house. Baje’s artwork reflects his homeland and rich culture, depicting striking landscapes and the harmony of the Navajo way of life. See this work and more in the Gift Shop at the Museum or shop online at shopmusnaz.org. Proceeds from gift shop purchases support the Native American artists and the Museum.

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