March is a wonderful time to reconnect with the Colorado Plateau, and I invite you to visit the Museum to experience two of our latest exhibitions.

Call of the Colorado Plateau summons us to slow down and engage all our senses through art, sound, and scent. The exhibit shares the stories of writers, artists, and explorers who have been shaped by this expansive, remarkable landscape and ultimately invites us back outdoors to see the land not as a backdrop, but as a living presence.

Our new Katsintithu—Katsina Dolls exhibition centers on a tradition unique to Hopi culture. It explores the role of katsina dolls in the lives of Hopi girls and how the dolls became a highly regarded art form. With themes and dolls rotating every six months, each visit offers something new to discover.

Going back in time, we are excited to debut a cast skeleton of Scutellosaurus, one of the earliest known armored dinosaurs. This small plant-eating dinosaur lived about 190 million years ago. Created from holotype fossils in our own collection, you’ll find the Scutellosaurus model in the Geology Gallery alongside our cast of Dilophosaurus, another Early Jurassic dinosaur found in northern Arizona.

March programs at the Museum promise even more opportunities to engage. Our Spring Break activities invite kids of all ages for hands-on learning and fun. And our annual MNA Research Showcase is sure to enlighten with presentations on current research across the Colorado Plateau—from botany and archaeology to art and culture.

I hope you’ll join us this month for a memorable Museum experience.

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.

MARCH 9-13

Spring Break Museum Acitivities for Kids

MARCH 13

Easton Collection
Center Tour

MARCH 19

Member Meetup: Gallery Chat with David Politzer

MARCH 19

Artist Talk:
David Politzer

MARCH 21

MNA Research
Showcase

MARCH 28

Wild & Scenic Film Festival

See details on all of our coming events.

Spring Break Activities for Kids

Kids and their parents are invited to dive into hands-on discovery March 9-13, from 1-3 p.m., at the Museum. Explore brilliant innovations, get up close with bugs and pollinators, uncover ancient ingenuity, learn about historic travel, and blast off into space exploration. Each afternoon features interactive activities designed to spark curiosity and creativity. Activities are free with general admission to the Museum. Kids 9 and under are free.

Ancient Armor: New in Geology Gallery

A life-size skeletal model of Scutellosaurus, one of the earliest known armored dinosaurs, goes on display in our Geology Gallery this month next to our Dilophosaurus model. A small plant-eating dinosaur, Scutellosaurus, lived around 190 million years ago during the Early Jurassic period. The discovery and identification of the species is tied to fossils and research at the Museum of Northern Arizona. We’re also adding some new dinosaur fossils and features designed especially for kids.

Artist Applications due March 20

We invite Indigenous artists of the Colorado Plateau to apply for the 2026 Heritage Festival of Arts and Culture taking place June 26-28 at the Museum of Northern Arizona. This juried festival and art competition celebrates Nat 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.

$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.

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.

Call of the Colorado Plateau

Open through January 4, 2027

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 January 27, 2027

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.

Overlay Hummingbird Pendant

This pendant by Hopi artist Ruben Saufkie is made in the overlay technique using two layers of sterling silver. Ruben is a well-known silversmith from Shungopavi, Second Mesa. His masterful artistry features skills he learned from his grandfather, Paul Saufkie Sr. See this piece 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.