The Museum opened to the public in 1953 and has gained national and international recognition as the home to the world’s largest collection of folk art». The collection of more than 135,000 artifacts forms the basis for exhibitions in four distinct wings: Bartlett, Girard, Hispanic Heritage, and Neutrogena.

The Girard Wing’s popular permanent exhibition, Multiple Visions: A Common Bond», showcases folk art, popular art, toys and textiles from more than 100 nations. The late Alexander Girard, who contributed his immense collection to the museum, designed this unorthodox and delightful exhibition, which opened in 1982.

The Hispanic Heritage Wing introduced the culture of northern New Mexico, and its inaugural exhibition, Familia y Fe/Family and Faith», focuses on two of the strongest currents that continue to shape regional life today. Spanning four centuries from the Spanish colonial period to the 20th century, the exhibition presents hide paintings, tinwork, furniture, jewelry, straw appliqué, horse gear, weavings, and santos, three-dimensional bultos and painted retablos. THe Hispanic Heritage Wing renovation project beings in September 2008 and will re-open in June 2009.

The Bartlett Wing, named in honor of museum founder Florence Dibell Bartlett, has two galleries that offer rotating exhibitions based on the museum collections and on field studies of specific cultures or art forms. Exhibition in this wing have ranged from Turkish, Tibetan and Swedish traditions to New Deal era art» in New Mexico, recycled objects»and mayólica». Recent exhibitions include Vernacular Visionaries: International Outsider Art in Context» and ¡CARNAVAL!»

The Neutrogena Wing» encompasses the Cotsen Gallery and Lloyd’s Treasure Chest. The gallery provides an ideal setting for exhibitions featuring textiles from the museum’s renowned collection which includes the Neutrogena Collection, a gift to the museum from Lloyd Cotsen and the Neutrogena Corporation in 1995. This international collection contains exquisite textiles and garments as well as objects. Lloyd's Treasure Chest» invites visitors to explore what goes on behind-the-scenes in a museum and attracts all ages. The Neutrogena Wing opened in 1998, expanding upon an ongoing public-private partnership that has characterized the museum’s profile since its inception.