Overview + Strategy

Overview + StrategyHarwood Overview

Harwood Museum of Art of the University of New Mexico is one of the best kept secrets in the Southwest. Founded in 1923, the museum’s collections and exhibitions tell the myriad stories of art in Taos and Northern New Mexico. Visitors explore notable traditional and contemporary arts in a John Gaw Meem historic building.

In the1890s through 1950s, Taos became a center of romantic and modernist artistic activity in the United States. Harwood has a significant collection of early-20th century art, including the Taos Society of Artists, featuring works by Victor Higgins, E. Martin Hennings, Joseph Henry Sharp, Ernest L. Blumenschein, and E.I. Couse. The extensive Taos Moderns and mid-20th century collection includes Andrew Dasburg, Marsden Hartley, Louis Ribak, Clay Spohn, Emil Bisttram, Dorothy Eugenie Brett, Edward Corbett, and more.

Harwood’s impressive permanent collection also includes the world-renowned Agnes Martin Gallery, often compared to the Rothko Chapel. This installation of seven paintings, the only one of its kind in the world, was gifted to Harwood by abstract expressionist painter Agnes Martin who called Taos her home.

The museum’s Native American collection includes work by notable Indigenous artists like John Suazo, Tony Abeyta, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, Juan Tafiho Mirabal, Julián Martinez, and Dwayne Wilcox.

Spanning historic and contemporary works, Harwood’s Hispanic Traditions collection contains santos, bultos, retablos, and crosses, including art by José Rafael Aragón. In particular, the museum holds a robust collection of santero artists, Patrociño Barela and Gustavo Victor Goler.

Harwood Museum offers concerts, lectures, and artist presentations in its 95-seat Arthur Bell Auditorium. Additionally, it serves the community through educational programs that engage thousands of children each year.

OPPOSITE PAGE: New Beginnings: An American Story of Romantics and Modernists in the West. May 7–Sep 25, 2022, Harwood Museum of Art, Taos, New Mexico. Photo Credit: Andrew Yates.

“One of our favorite art museums in the southwest. Consistently excellent curation, wonderful permanent and temporary exhibitions, always helpful staff, and a beautifully maintained facility. A real treasure and well worth a visit for art lovers.”

“This is a must see in Taos. They have the best collections and exhibits. Two permanent exhibits should be noted: The Agnes Martin exhibit puts it on the map of international art destinations; The Ken Price exhibit also is a noteworthy contribution from an internationally renowned major player from the art world.”

— JUSTIN MAX BAILEY

Overview + Strategy Organizational Strategy

Rooted, Relevant, Recognized

The Harwood Museum of Art Centennial Strategic Plan: 2020–2023 sets the direction for the museum to become more “rooted, relevant, and recognized.” As Harwood embarks upon the next one hundred years, the pillars, goals, and actions planned through 2023, our centennial year, will set a solid foundation for a thriving future. Through our strategic focus on sustainability, diversity, inclusion, and legacy, we will advance Harwood and the art of Taos by being rooted in community and relevant to the international art world. It is time to build a stronger foundation under our ambitious decades of growth. As storytellers, we will ensure that our exhibitions and collections contribute to an inclusive art history and catalyze an equitable creative future. We must be a recognized leader both globally and locally, by respectfully collaborating with our community to co-create exhibitions and programs relevant to the people we serve.

OPPOSITE PAGE: Santo Lowride: Norteño Car Culture and the Santos Tradition. May 29–Oct 10, 2021, Harwood Museum of Art, Taos, New Mexico. Photo Credit: Andrew Yates. HIGHLIGHTS + ACCOMPLISHMENTS

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