Current & Upcoming Exhibits »

The Mid-America All-Indian Museum is home to a museum that features pieces from a collection with more than 3,000 artifacts. This allows for exhibits to be changed throughout the years so that a variety of stories can be told about American Indian culture and heritage.

Permanent Exhibit | Current Exhibits | Upcoming Exhibits

Permanent Exhibit

Tsate Kongia: Walking in Two Worlds, the Life of Blackbear Bosin

The exhibit gives an in-depth look into the personal and professional life of Bosin, one of the founders of the Indian Center and the man behind Wichita's iconic Keeper of the Plains sculpture. Tsate Kongia was Bosin's Kiowa name. It means "Blackbear" and belonged to his great-grandfather, a Kiowa chief. The exhibit includes paintings, photographs, vintage film footage, live audio tapes made by Bosin and interviews with people who were close to him.

Bosin was an internationally recognized Kiowa-Comanche sculptor and acrylic/watercolor painter from Oklahoma who adopted Wichita as his home in 1940. Primarily a self-taught artist, Bosin helped enhance a better understanding of his culture by presenting scenes and tales of his beloved Indian heritage beautifully to the world. National Geographic gave Bosin his first national recognition in March 1955 with the publication of his painting "Prairie Fire."

Current Exhibits

What We Collect
June 25, 2022 - December 31, 2023
The human desire to collect objects is long recognized in historical and cultural studies. What makes us collect things and why? This exhibit highlights different objects donated to the museum by collectors, families, and individuals.
Ivory Miniatures
June 25, 2022 - December 31, 2023
Join us for a closer look at our extraordinary collection of intricately carved ivory miniatures. These stunning works of art were gifts made for Mildred Manty, a Ketchikan Public Health nurse by the Alaska Natives she served.
Following Blackbear
June 24 - July 29, 2023
First annual invitational exhibit for Native artists, featuring local Native artists Brandon Buffalohead, Josh Johnico, Michelle Sutton and the three founding artists of the War Clan Collective. It is on exhibit June 24 - July 29.
Voices From the Drum
July 8 - December 2, 2023
This traveling exhibition created by Osage Nation Museum and the Osage Nation Foundation features 20 drums and shares the important role of the instruments within the Osage community.
The exhibition is thematically arranged to examine how the artists approached the drum, through their culture, their artistic vision, and in relationship to the annual I Lonschka dance. In addition to the 20 drums, the exhibition also includes fine art and a digital display.
The exhibit assembles the creativity, knowledge and talent of 19 practicing artists including: Norman Akers, Dante Biss-Grayson, Joe Don Brave, June Carpenter, Sarah Elsberry, Anita Fields, Yatika Fields, Jessica Moore Harjo, Kilan Jacobs, Jonathan Lunsford, Harleigh Moore, Ted Moore, Vanessa Moore, Rock Pipestem, Wendy Ponca, Alex Ponca Stock, Jon Red Corn, Addie Roanhorse, and Jen Tiger.