90 works in the John and Susan Horseman Collection will increase access to Indigenous art for
museum visitors nationwide
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BENTONVILLE, Ark. – Today, Art Bridges Foundation and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art announced their acquisition of 90 contemporary Indigenous artworks from the John and Susan Horseman Collection.
Art Bridges has acquired 81 artworks from the Collection, which will be accessible as long-term loans to museums across the U.S., free of charge, with a focus on expanding access to art.
With this landmark acquisition, one third of the Art Bridges Collection is now contemporary Indigenous art.
Nine works from the Horseman Collection have also been gifted directly to Crystal Bridges. This move to formally transfer the Collection into the public trust marks a major advancement for the visibility and celebration of Indigenous artists.
“Indigenous perspectives are foundational to any American art collection,” said Ashley Holland, Curator and Director of Curatorial Initiatives at Art Bridges Foundation. “We are honored to continue our deep support of Indigenous art with this acquisition and look forward to sharing these works with audiences around the country through our loan program.”
In 2026, Crystal Bridges will also feature a selection of the gifted works as part of its forthcoming expansion and gallery transformation. The works on view will include TC Cannon’s It’s A Good Day to Die (1970), Roxanne Swentzell’s The Corn Mothers are Crying (2015), and Kent Monkman’s Saving the Newcomers (2023). Additional works will go on view in 2027.
“In each stage of the curatorial process, we are dedicated to foregrounding Indigenous voices, knowledge, and agency,” said Jordan Poorman Cocker, Curator of Indigenous Art and NAGPRA Officer at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. “This Collection of Indigenous artwork showcases a powerful expression of Indigenous creativity, resilience, and innovation.”
This fall, works from the Art Bridges Collection will be at the center of the opening exhibition at Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (AWSOM), opening to the public on November 3rd, where they will highlight the healing power of art in the context of wellness and community. The collaborative efforts to display the John and Susan Horseman Collection across the new Crystal Bridges Campus is indicative of Alice Walton’s vision in combining art and wellness offerings and ensuring that they’re accessible to visitors. This acquisition also marks the first time three organizations founded by Alice Walton have collaborated on a project of this scale.
The Collection includes renowned and emerging contemporary Indigenous artists Kent Monkman, Tyrell Tapaha, George Morrison, Oscar Howe, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, Rick Bartow, Kay WalkingStick, James Lavadour, Emmi Whitehorse, Brad Kahlhamer, Cannupa Hanska Luger, Rose B. Simpson, Fritz Scholder, and T.C. Cannon. The works span a wide range of media, ranging from sculpture to painting, print, and textiles.
Since founding their Collection in 2012, Susan and John Horseman have centered their efforts on uplifting historically underrepresented artists. Susan Horseman, in particular, was an early and passionate advocate for Native American artists such as Fritz Scholder. The Horseman Foundation’s collaboration with Art Bridges and Crystal Bridges grew out of their appreciation for Art Bridges’ commitment to sharing artworks around the country and expanding access to American art.
“My wife Susan and I are grateful to have this opportunity to share on a greater scale artworks and artists about whom we care deeply. We have always believed that these Indigenous creatives belong in the canon of American Art. This is art that should be seen and artists that should be known. This historic moment was facilitated through the efforts of art advisor, James Trotta-Bono.” said John Horseman, The Horseman Foundation.
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About Art Bridges Foundation
Art Bridges Foundation is the vision of philanthropist and arts patron Alice Walton. Founded in 2017, Art Bridges creates and supports projects that share works of American art with communities across the United States and its territories. Art Bridges partners with a growing network of over 250 museums of many sizes—impacting more than 20 million people nationwide—to provide financial and strategic support for exhibitions, collection loans, and programs designed to educate, inspire, and deepen engagement with local communities. The Art Bridges Collection represents an expanding vision of American art from the 19th century to present day and encompasses multiple media and voices. For more information, visit artbridgesfoundation.org.
About Alice L. Walton School of Medicine
Founded in 2021, Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (AWSOM) is a nonprofit, four-year MD program enhancing traditional medical education with the arts, humanities, and whole health principles. The School’s culture embraces self-care to empower students to care for their own well-being as well as their patients. The School’s state-of-the-art medical education facility is under construction in Bentonville, Arkansas on the Crystal Bridges Campus, home to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and Heartland Whole Health Institute. The School has been granted preliminary accreditation status by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education.
About the Horseman Foundation
The John and Susan Horseman Foundation is committed to advancing interest and appreciation of Indigenous and African American artists. Historically, these artists have been underrepresented and marginalized in the United States. Since its inception in 2012, the
Foundation has historically championed this body of work. Through its Art Answers initiative, the Foundation loans artwork, supports exhibitions and scholarly publications.
About Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
The mission of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is to welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Since opening in 2011, the museum has welcomed more than 14 million visitors across its spaces, with no cost for admission. Crystal Bridges was founded in 2005 as a non-profit charitable organization by arts patron and philanthropist, Alice Walton. The collection spans five centuries of American masterworks from early American to current day and is enhanced by temporary exhibitions. The museum is nestled on 134 acres of Ozark landscape and was designed by world-renowned architect Moshe Safdie. A rare Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house was preserved and relocated to the museum grounds in 2015. Home of the prestigious Don Tyson Prize for the Advancement of American Art and Tyson Scholars of American Art Program, Crystal Bridges offers public programs including lectures, performances, classes, and teacher development opportunities. Some 478,375 school children have participated in the Willard and Pat Walker School Visit program, which provides educational experiences for school groups at no cost to the schools. Additional museum amenities include a restaurant, gift store, library, and five miles of art and walking trails. In February 2020, the museum opened the Momentary in Downtown Bentonville (507 SE E Street), conceived as a platform for the art, food, and music of our time. In 2026, Crystal Bridges will complete a 114,000 square foot expansion that will allow the museum to expand access for all. For more information, visit CrystalBridges.org. The museum is located at 600 Museum Way, Bentonville, Arkansas 72712.
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