Press Release

Tucson Museum of Art Receives Extensive Collection of Modern and Contemporary Indigenous Art from James T. Bialac

Tucson, AZ – Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block (TMA) has received an extensive collection of Indigenous artworks from Scottsdale collector James T. Bialac. The collection, numbering about 400 works, consists largely of paintings, prints, multimedia work, and exhibition posters of historic significance. Most of the works date to the late 20th and early 21st centuries, although the collection also includes some examples of early 20th century representations.

“This transformative gift is a pivotal moment in the history of TMA and its ability to represent, elevate, and exhibit Indigenous artists from our region,” said Jeremy Mikolajczak, the Jon and Linda Ender Director and CEO. “We are deeply grateful to Jim, whose generosity as a collector is a testament to years of passionate and personal support of Indigenous art and artists. This collection will help our visitors enjoy a richer understanding of the people and cultures who have been stewards of this land for generations.”

A lawyer by trade, Bialac made his first artwork purchase—a painting by Robert Chee (Hashke-Yil-Cale)—in 1964. Over the next five decades he purchased thousands of works by Indigenous artists representing more than 125 cultures across North America, with an emphasis on the American Southwest. He established a working relationship with Elaine Horwitch, a gallerist who launched the careers of hundreds of artists from the Southwest, including many contemporary Indigenous artists. Bialac became friends with Fritz Scholder and many other artists, supporting several of them throughout their careers.

Ambitious in nature, Bialac amassed substantial collections and gifted them over time to various institutions including the Heard Museum, Fred Jones Jr. Museum at the University of Oklahoma, and University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law. Now at 91 years of age he has donated the rest of his collection of paintings, prints, and works on paper to TMA.

Included in this donation is a broad spectrum of artists and styles. Prominent names include David Bradley (Chippewa), T.C. Cannon (Kiowa), Michael Chiago (Tohono O’odham), Woody Crumbo (Potawatomi), Helen Hardin (Tewa), Hyrum Joe (Diné), Julian Martinez (San Ildefonso), Dan Namingha (Hopi), Kevin Red Star (Absáalooke), and Fritz Scholder (Luiseño), who have work in important collections across the United States.

The Bialac gift is a true Indigenous artistic archive of work that greatly enhances TMA’s existing collection. TMA has had a permanent collection gallery dedicated to the exhibition of Indigenous arts for many years, and recent efforts demonstrate an increased commitment in that area. In March 2021 the Indigenous Arts gallery was completely reinstalled following a collaborative project with a team of Indigenous community curators, reopening with a larger footprint within the museum than past exhibitions and an approach to storytelling that incorporates collaborative stewardship and multivocal interpretation. Concurrent with these visible changes were revisions to TMA’s collections policy, refining a focus on collecting works that are most relevant to surrounding communities, including the Indigenous communities of the Southwest.

The museum plans to debut highlights of the Bialac collection next year. Additional works will be on view in future iterations of the Indigenous Arts gallery. “This vast collection will be a dream to work with because there are many artists, themes, and ideas to explore for future exhibitions,” says Christine Brindza, Senior Curator, Glasser Curator of Art of the American West. “It represents a survey of Indigenous art being made within the past several decades that is often hard to come by in one place. It’s very exciting.”

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About Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block
As an institution built upon the original territories of the O’odham, the Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block (TMA) acknowledges the Indigenous Sonoran Desert communities, past and present, who have stewarded this region throughout generations.

TMA connects art to life through meaningful and engaging experiences that inspire discovery, spark creativity and promote cultural understanding. Founded in 1924, TMA encompasses an entire city block in historic downtown Tucson and is committed to developing quality exhibitions, expanding and diversifying its collection and presenting relevant and innovative programs while broadening public access to the arts.

The museum features exhibitions of Modern and Contemporary art, Latin American art from ancient to today, Indigenous arts and Art of the American West. A permanent collection of over 12,000 works of art spans continents, centuries and media. TMA’s campus includes five properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places, an art education center and research library, the Museum Store and the highly acclaimed museum restaurant Café a la C’Art. TMA is a private 501(c)(3) charitable arts and education organization. For additional information visit TucsonMuseumofArt.org or call (520) 624-2333.