The New Mexico History Museum announced that the Native American Portal Artisans will relocate their unique marketplace to the Palace Courtyard for the SWAIA Santa Fe Indian Market weekend. This event will take place on Saturday and Sunday, August 17-18, 2024, moving from its usual spot under the Palace of the Governors' portal.
According to the New Mexico History Museum, portal vendors from 23 Native American tribes, pueblos, and nations in New Mexico will showcase music, handcrafted art, food, and traditional dances in the Palace Courtyard. To celebrate, the museum is offering free admission all day on both days, with exhibitions available throughout the museum and the Palace of the Governors. Visitors can enter through the blue gate or the main entrance on Lincoln Avenue.
The Native American Artisans Program at the Palace of the Governors provides a venue for artisans to display and sell handmade items like pottery, textiles, and jewelry. Since 1909, according to the New Mexico History Museum, it has supported traditional southwestern Native American arts by reserving this space exclusively for Native American vendors, including those from 23 federally recognized tribes and pueblos within New Mexico, and select others. Over 1,500 artisans are authorized through a rigorous application process. The program is managed by the Portal Committee which ensures compliance with established rules and maintains high standards for items sold.
The New Mexico History Museum comprises three buildings: the 1610 Palace of the Governors, the 1907 Fray Angélico Chávez Library, and the 2009 Pete V. Domenici Building. These structures are interconnected by a large interior lobby and an outdoor courtyard with the primary entrance located at 113 Lincoln on the west side of the Domenici Building. The museum is managed by the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs and the Museum of New Mexico Board of Regents.