About the Museum

The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, opened to the public in July 1997, eleven years after the death of our namesake artist. A visit to the O’Keeffe Museum offers insight not only into the artist’s paintings, but also her creative process and the light and landscape that inspired her. In addition to the main Museum campus in Santa Fe, the O’Keeffe Museum maintains O’Keeffe’s two homes and studios in northern New Mexico, a research center and library, and a variety of collections relating to O’Keeffe and modern art.

One of the most significant artists of the 20th century, Georgia O’Keeffe (1887-1986) was devoted to creating imagery that expressed what she called “the wideness and wonder of the world as I live in it.” O’Keeffe’s images—instantly recognizable as her own —include abstractions, large-scale depictions of flowers, leaves, rocks, shells, bones and other natural forms, New York cityscapes and paintings of the unusual shapes and colors of architectural and landscape forms of northern New Mexico.

The Museum’s collections of over 3,000 works comprises 140 O’Keeffe oil paintings, nearly 700 drawings, and hundreds of additional works dating from 1901 to 1984, the year failing eyesight forced O’Keeffe into retirement. Throughout the year, visitors can see a changing selection of these works. In addition, the Museum presents exhibitions that are either devoted entirely to O’Keeffe’s work or combine examples of her art with works by her American modernist contemporaries.

In 2006, the Museum took responsibility for the care and preservation of O’Keeffe’s home and studio along the Chama River in Abiquiú, New Mexico, about an hour north of Santa Fe.  A national historic landmark and one of the most important artistic sites in the United States, the home where the artist lived and worked is open for tours by appointment. O’Keeffe’s first home in New Mexico, about 30 minutes northwest of Abiquiú at the Ghost Ranch is also cared for by the Museum though it is not currently open to the public.

The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum Research Center opened in July 2001 to house offices for staff and fellows, and The Michael S. Engl Family Foundation Library and Archive. The Michael S. Engl Family Foundation Library and Archive supports the Museum’s exhibitions, collections, and activities through research services and resources with an emphasis on studies of Georgia O’Keeffe and her contemporaries, related regional histories, and Modernism. The library and archive makes accessible a variety of materials to support research conducted by the public and the Museum’s staff, and is open by appointment.

Educational programs at the Museum serve more than 7,100 students and adults per year with a robust slate of workshops, lectures, conversations, and classroom activities.

The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum celebrates the art, life, and independent spirit of Georgia O’Keeffe.

Inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe’s remarkable story, the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum champions creativity and lifelong learning for local, national, and global audiences. We strive to be relevant and responsive to the needs of our community by centering the people, landscapes, and cultures of Northern New Mexico.

Welcoming & Inclusive: We advance diversity, equity, and access across all areas of the O’Keeffe, respecting individuals and communities of diverse backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We aim to serve intentionally, approaching our work with humility and a commitment to active listening, meaningful collaboration, and equitable partnership. We acknowledge that this work is constant and evolving, and seek feedback on a consistent basis as we build new pathways to participation.

Creative & Curious: We foster experiences that challenge and inspire, engaging our audiences in immersive opportunities designed to meet and exceed their interests, needs, and expectations. We seek equitable and thoughtful partnerships that deepen and broaden the impact of our work, welcoming differing viewpoints and contemporary perspectives that expand the stories we share. We learn from our audiences and embrace experimentation to make the O’Keeffe meaningful and memorable.

Vital & Innovative: We strive to lead in all aspects of our work, recognizing our unique role in sharing the art and life of Georgia O’Keeffe and championing our home state of New Mexico. We endeavor to serve a critical part in providing educational, civic, cultural, and economic benefits to our communities and partners, recognizing that the O’Keeffe is a local resource and a global destination. We are committed to outstanding visitor experiences in all sites and interactions.

Accountable & Responsible: We steward resources ethically and responsibly, adapting to the changing needs of collections, facilities, and investments. We are committed to transparency in our practices, standards, and procedures, and are open to acknowledging and correcting our mistakes. We support a fair and equitable workplace, make information easily accessible to the public, and seek to build trust among all partners and stakeholders.

Integrity & Respect: We foster a positive and respectful organizational culture that values and promotes empathy, care, and dignity on an individual and institutional level. We understand that supportive relationships and honest communication among staff, board, partners, and audiences help the O’Keeffe flourish, and we create opportunities for learning, self-reflection, and dialogue. We take our commitments seriously, are proactive when change is needed, and celebrate our successes together.