Scott Shoemaker is a citizen of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma and has a diverse background in the Native Arts & Culture field, working in multiple professional roles. He currently serves as Program Officer of Native Arts and Cultures at Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies.
Most recently Scott served as Curator of Native American Art, History and Culture with the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in Indianapolis, Indiana. Prior to this, he served as Assistant Scientist at the Science Museum of Minnesota, working with Native communities to return heirloom plant seeds and to sustain seed saving knowledge. He also previously taught courses on American Indian Studies and Museum Studies. Early in his career, Scott worked as a landscape architect in Chicago. Scott is dedicated to reviving the art of ribbonwork within his community. In addition to his professional and artistic pursuits, Scott has held multiple leadership roles in the field of Native cultural heritage and museums.
Scott earned his Bachelor’s of landscape architecture from Ball State University. He also has a Master’s of landscape architecture and a doctorate in American studies with a focus on American Indian studies and museum studies from the University of Minnesota.
