Southwest Indian Art Fair 2013

February 23 & 24 on the Museum's Front Lawn

Visitor FAQ

The 2014 Southwest Indian Art Fair is set for February 22 and 23! Artist information will be available in the summer. Information for visitors will begin to be updated later this year.

What is the Southwest Indian Art Fair?

Arizona State Museum’s Southwest Indian Art Fair (SWIAF) is the largest event of its kind in southern Arizona and the only Native art festival operated by a long-standing cultural and educational institution. Established in 1893, Arizona State Museum is the oldest and largest anthropology museum in the Southwest. Its mission is to promote the understanding and appreciation of southwestern cultures. More about Arizona State Museum

The Southwest Indian Art Fair was begun in 1993. Originally a small pottery fair, the event has grown over the years to include all manner of southwestern Native arts and is now an anticipated annual community cultural event—a highlight of Tucson’s winter calendar. The museum considers SWIAF not only its signature event, but its most significant educational event, significant for its support of Native artistry and industry.

SWIAF occurs annually in February.

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Where does the money to operate SWIAF come from?

Arizona State Museum underwrites a significant portion of the event’s operational and advertising expenses from its annual budget, as part of its educational and outreach mission. The total cost of producing the event is around $150,000.

Additional event costs (such as performers, demonstrators, cash awards for juried competition, program printing, courtesies for volunteers and artist) are covered by generous public partners, private donors, and corporate sponsors.

Entrance and space rental fees also go to cover costs. Both are reviewed regularly to be kept at or below fair market value.

Arizona State Museum takes no portion of the artists’ sales. Artists keep 100% of their sales revenues. In 2012, it was estimated that total sales came to $1.5 million.

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Where does the money go?

Net revenues, if any, from SWIAF go into Arizona State Museum’s budget for the next year’s event.

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How do I know if the art being sold is authentic?

The Southwest Indian Art Fair is dedicated to artistic authenticity and quality. The event is invitational and the artwork is vetted through a committee review process. A number of standards are in place to evaluate the entrants and their artwork. Artists are also asked to provide verification (in the form of their CIBs) that they are registered members of southwestern tribal communities. Fake or misrepresented art is not allowed.

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Can I return a purchase if I don’t like it?

Return policies vary from artists to artist. Please be sure to ask before completing your purchase transaction. Arizona State Museum takes no responsibility for transactions between the artists and their customers.

Can I make a special order (commission) with an artist for delivery at a later date?
This is certainly your prerogative but we offer a note of caution. This is completely at your own risk. We recommend that special arrangements/commissions between an artist and a customer be in writing, include receipts for monies received, and include valid contact information such as phone numbers, email addresses, and web sites. Please remember that, after the event ends, the artists return to their homes which in some cases may be in remote areas of the state and region. Some artists can be very difficult to reach. Arizona State Museum accepts no responsibility for your private arrangements.

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How do I find out more about the fair?

Please check back to this website in the months and weeks leading up to the fair for updated information

Members of Arizona State Museum enjoy regular updates on SWIAF and other events and programs throughout the year. Visit our membership page or contact Darlene Lizarraga by email or phone at 520-626-8381.

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