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Hello!
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My name is Marcus Monenerkit, I’m the Director of Community Engagement here at the Heard
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Museum in Phoenix AZ, and an Indian Arts and Crafts Board commissioner.
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My interest in art and culture was fostered by early childhood experiences. And that curiosity sparked by those formative years
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has never subsided in me.
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My continuing appreciation for art and culture have brought me here today.
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With more than 20 years of experience in the museum field, I have dedicated myself to promoting
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American Indian art and sharing its relationship and value to current and future generations
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of Indian artists and Native communities as well as the general public.
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Today my work focuses on the transference of cultural art knowledge and skills.
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My colleagues and I produce intensive art workshops here in the southwestern United States.
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We are also specifically interested in engaging with younger students, families, Native
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American artists, and artist educators.   
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I have a firm belief that art education works for the greater public benefit, creating expressive
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patterns of understanding between individuals and communities.
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The arts give us universal lessons in the complicated forms of association.
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It is important work for institutions like the Heard Museum and the IACB to promote authentic
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American Indian Art.
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That process of creating Native art involves time tested knowledge and skills that are
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not supported by individuals promoting knock-off materials and styles.
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Their motivation is purely profit, and consequently true Native art is negatively impacted in
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its marketing and sales.
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When people subvert the process they destabilize the quality and value and important customs
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of Native people.
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The Indian Arts and Crafts Board is a vital agency for the protection of original American
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Indian art and culture.
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The staff does critical work to maintain the integrity of Native art and reduce fraud
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and cultural appropriation.
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As a lifelong museum professional and passionate advocate for the promotion and protection
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of authentic art, I firmly believe the IACB assists not only in the protection of the
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original artwork but also in the transference of cultural knowledge, so that these time-tested
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human principles can continue to be practiced and shared.
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For more information on the Board, its programs, and authentic Indian art, I invite you to
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visit the IACB website, www.doi.gov/iacb, www.heard.org, or call us at 1-888-ART-FAKE.
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Thank you.