The Allan Houser Foundation
The Allan Houser Foundation is dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and advancing the cultural and artistic legacy of Allan Houser (Haozous) while more purposefully supporting Native American art, history, and education. Through its collections, archives, and programming, the Foundation fosters a deeper understanding of Indigenous knowledge, creativity, and cultural continuity.
About the Foundation
The Allan Houser Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a primary mission rooted in education, cultural stewardship, and the preservation of Indigenous knowledge. The Foundation operates separately from Allan Houser Inc., the gallery and estate business responsible for exhibitions, sales, and artist representation.
Both entities operate from Haozous Place and downtown Santa Fe, and both are unified by the vision and legacy of Allan Houser. They serve distinct roles:
The Foundation exists to teach, preserve, and share. Its work is guided by an Indigenous philosophical framework that places cultural responsibility at the center of every initiative. Allan Houser believed that art was inseparable from cultural identity, and the Foundation carries that principle forward.
Allan Houser Inc. serves collectors, museums, and institutions through the gallery and estate. The relationship between the two reflects Allan Houser’s own approach: culture and education are the foundation; the art speaks from that ground.
Apache Ethnographic Exhibit
The Allan Houser Foundation maintains a living cultural collection rooted in the Haozous family lineage and Apache knowledge systems. The exhibit incorporates multi-cultural material and tribal imagery alongside objects, documents, and oral history connected to the Chiricahua Apache experience.
This is not a static museum display. It is an ongoing act of cultural preservation, one that connects the history Allan Houser carried in his work to the communities and traditions that shaped it. The exhibit is housed at Haozous Place and available for scholarly and educational engagement.
Treasures of the Archives
The Foundation’s archival collection represents decades of Allan Houser’s working life: drawings, correspondence, photographs, exhibition records, and documentation of his artistic process. These materials are maintained at museum-quality standards with the goal of future public access.
For researchers, educators, and institutions, the archives offer primary source material on one of the most significant Native American artists of the 20th century. Access is available by inquiry through the Foundation.
Legacy of Giving
Allan Houser’s commitment to supporting Native communities extended beyond his artwork. The Native American Advised Fund, administered through the Santa Fe Community Foundation, reflects that commitment as a separate philanthropic initiative connected to the Houser legacy.
The Foundation’s own work in cultural preservation, archival development, and educational programming continues that tradition of giving through direct action rather than solely financial support.
Support the Foundation
The Allan Houser Foundation welcomes support from individuals and institutions who share its commitment to cultural preservation and education.
Donations support:
- Educational programming and cultural initiatives
- Archival development and preservation
- Care and growth of the Apache Ethnographic Exhibit
For donation inquiries, please contact the Allan Houser Foundation directly.