Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology: Indiana University

A New Museum for the 21st Century

IUMAA is Indiana University’s newest museum and draws upon the strengths and rich collections of the former Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology and the Mathers Museum of World Cultures. These two collections include over 5 million artifacts that span across a broad range of human experiences, from Indiana’s first peoples to contemporary communities. The museum is currently closed as we install newly-designed exhibits and learning labs that feature an inside-out approach inviting visitors to come behind-the-scenes to learn more about our work.

Macdonald appointed Executive Director

Indiana University has named Brandie Macdonald executive director of the Indiana University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.

She will bring nearly 15 years of nonprofit leadership to the role, including extensive experience managing teams, curating exhibits, fundraising and relationship-building with Indigenous peoples. In her most recent role, she served as senior director of decolonizing initiatives at the Museum of Us in San Diego, California. Macdonald will begin her new role at IU on June 1.

Learn more about Macdonald

IUMAA For You

Students

Paid Positions, Practica, Student Advisory Council

Partners

Acknowledgments, Collaboration/Partnerships

Faculty/Staff, Visiting Researchers

Teaching Support, Research Opportunities

Community

K-12 Resources, Collaboration/Partnerships

The IUMAA story...

So far!

Here's a quick look at where we are now as we plan for the new museum and its opening.

September 2019: President McRobbie announces the creation of a new museum merging the Glenn Black Lab and Mathers Museum.

Spring 2020: Architects, design team, IU administrators, and IUMAA staff begin planning for renovations.

Summer 2020: The pandemic hits as museum staff prepare to pack and move over 5 million objects so that facility renovations can begin.

Fall 2020: The Museum's collections are moved out and renovation begins.

Spring 2021: As IUMAA staff research, develop programs, and prepare exhibitions, renovations continue.

Summer 2021: IUMAA staff begin planning for moving over 5 million artifacts back to the newly-renovated facility in Fall 2021.

June 30, 2021: Former IU President Michael McRobbie dedicates the IU Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. See the video of the dedication here.

Summer 2022: Renovations wrap up and collections start moving back into the building!

Support the IUMAA

Our Students

Students are at the heart of the new IU Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, working with museum staff to research, catalogue, interpret, and exhibit artifacts from around the world. You help support a variety of museum programs and activities, including paid internships for students!

Tax-Deductible Gift

Your tax-deductible gift will support these initiatives and more. They’ll help fund a new museum at IU and the state’s only museum of its kind.

Build and Shape

Help build and shape IU's newest museum for the 21st century. IUMAA will tell the story of humanity, from the rich heritage of Indiana’s First Peoples to the lives of contemporary Hoosiers, and how those stories are connected to peoples around the world.