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Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA)

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Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA)

For 50 years, the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) has played a leading role in the direction and shape of Native expression.
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The mission of the Institute of American Indian Arts is “to empower creativity and leadership in Indigenous arts and cultures through higher education, lifelong learning, and community engagement.” As it has grown and evolved into an internationally acclaimed college, museum and Center for Lifelong Education, IAIA’s dedication to the study and advancement of Native arts and cultures is matched only by its commitment to student achievement and the preservation and progress of the communities they represent.

09/23/2026

2026 Fall IAIA Scholarship Awards Luncheon

09/21/2026

The Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) is pleased to announce the public release of The Charlene Teters Papers, an archival collection documenting the life and career of Spokane artist, educator, and activist.

Charlene Teters’ (Spokane) ’86, A-i-R ’24 work has profoundly influenced conversations surrounding Native representation, cultural identity, and racial justice. The collection is organized into archival series documenting Teters’ education, artistic practice, exhibitions, public speaking, activism, audio visual materials, photographs, and research files.

Together, these materials provide a comprehensive record of her creative work, advocacy for Indigenous rights, and her leadership in higher education. The collection is now available for research within the IAIA Research Center for Contemporary Native Arts’ (RCCNA) Archives.

Read more on our website at https://iaia.edu/iaia-archives-opens-the-papers-of-activist-educator-and-artist-charlene-teters/

Photograph by Jason S. Ordaz, Institute of American Indian Arts.

09/18/2026

IAIA President Dr. Shelly C. Lowe (Navajo) participated in the 2026 National Institute for Native Leadership in Higher Education (NINLHE) Summer Institute, July 21–23, hosted by the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah. The institute’s theme, “Stronger Together: Collective Power and Collaboration for Native Higher Education,” focused on advancing Native student success through leadership development, professional learning, collaboration, and networking among higher education professionals.

As an invited speaker, Dr. Lowe served on the Presidential Leadership Panel, where she joined fellow higher education leaders Dr. Elmer Guy (Diné), President of Navajo Technical University, and Dr. Heather Shotton (Wichita and Affiliated Tribes and a descendant of the Kiowa and Cheyenne Tribes), President of Fort Lewis College, to discuss Indigenous student success, institutional leadership, and strengthening partnerships that support Native higher education.

The Summer Institute also featured keynote remarks from Robert Maxim (Mashpee Wampanoag) of Brookings Metro and cultural engagement opportunities led by Joy Grant-Bullethead (Ute), the University of Utah’s Elder-in-Residence. The event offered participants a meaningful opportunity to share knowledge, strengthen professional relationships, and advance collective efforts to support Indigenous higher education and leadership.

Read more at https://iaia.edu/dr-shelly-lowe-2026-ninlhe-summer-institute/

Image: President of Fort Lewis College, Dr. Heather Shotton (Wichita and Affiliated Tribes and a descendant of the Kiowa and Cheyenne Tribes), and IAIA President, Dr. Shelly C. Lowe (Navajo). Photograph by Jason S. Ordaz, Institute of American Indian Arts.

09/16/2026

Mark your calendars for the 2026 IAIA Holiday Art Market, taking place on Saturday, December 12, 2026, from 9 am to 4 pm on the IAIA campus. The annual market celebrates Indigenous creativity and showcases original artwork by IAIA students, alum, faculty, staff, and artists from across our communities. This year, we are also pleased to partner with Santa Fe Community College (NM) (SFCC), which will host its annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair on the same day, from 9 am to 4 pm, at 6401 Richards Ave. Together, these events offer a full day of holiday shopping and an opportunity for artists and makers across Santa Fe.

Current IAIA students, alum, faculty, and staff are invited to apply during the exclusive priority registration period. This early-access opportunity is reserved for IAIA community members before booth registration opens to the public. Registration begins on Thursday, October 1, at https://iaia.edu/event/2026holidayartmarket/. Please note that specific booth placement requests cannot be accommodated.

The Holiday Art Market is one of IAIA’s most anticipated annual events, providing a wonderful opportunity to showcase and sell original handmade artwork while connecting with the broader community.

We look forward to celebrating community, creativity, and culture with you this December.

Photograph by Jason S. Ordaz, Institute of American Indian Arts.

09/15/2026

Under bright skies and surrounded by community, students, faculty, staff, alum, and supporters gathered for IAIA’s Fall 2026 President’s Convocation—stepping together into the dance circle to celebrate the beginning of a new academic year.

IAIA Associated Student Government President Al Buffalo Bull Tail (Apsáalooke, Dine, Otoe, and Ioway) opened the gathering with welcoming remarks and a land acknowledgment, beginning the Four Directions Blessing. Prayers were offered by Dr. Mary Deleary (Chippewas of the Thames First Nation), Gail Tahhahwah (Comanche, Kiowa, and Apache), Aurora Padilla (Descendencia Chichimeca and Maya), and Shawn Oliver (Acoma Pueblo), honoring the many communities and traditions represented at IAIA.

IAIA President Dr. Shelly C. Lowe (Navajo) returned to three themes that she described as essential to success: preparation, support from others, and asking for help. The keynote address was delivered by IAIA alum and acclaimed artist Diego Romero (Cochiti Pueblo) ’86, A-i-R ’19, who shared a deeply personal story about his journey from a comic book-loving kid arriving at IAIA 42 years ago to becoming what he proudly calls a “Contemporary Pueblo Potter.”

His final message to students was simple and powerful—“If you’re not making art, then you’re not doing what you were put here to do. So, make art!”

Read the full story at https://iaia.edu/iaia-welcomes-the-fall-2026-semester-at-presidents-convocation/

Photographs by Jason S. Ordaz, Institute of American Indian Arts.

09/14/2026

Dear IAIA Alums,

The 2026 IAIA Alumni Council election begins today. Three council positions are open, with five candidates on the ballot. The Alumni Council is the principal representative of IAIA alum and the primary forum for exchanging alum sentiment. The Alumni Council consists of seven members who will serve for a three-year term. The Alumni Council meets one time each month, with Councilors attending by conference call.

Eligibility to vote: To be eligible, you must hold a degree from IAIA (a high school diploma, AA, AFA, BA, BFA, or MFA).

The Alumni Council elections will be held from Monday, September 14, 2026, at 12:00 am to Friday, September 25, 2026, at 11:59 pm. Three council positions need to be filled. Please review each candidate’s biography and candidate statements.

• Viola LeBeau (Pit River), MFA ’26
• Alika Mteuzi (Caddo Nation and Cheyenne-Arapaho), BFA ’23
• George Greendeer (Ho-Chunk), AFA ’86
• Vivian Carroll (Cherokee), MFA ’20
• Troy Augborne (Tuareg-Berber and Muscogee), BFA ’25

Important Note: The candidate statements are published as they were received—their words, their voice. They are listed in the order their nominations were received.

Read candidate biographies and statements, then vote on our website at https://iaia.edu/2026-fall-iaia-alumni-council-election/

Photograph by Jason S. Ordaz, Institute of American Indian Arts.

09/09/2026

This November, New Mexico voters will have the opportunity to support the state’s public higher education institutions by voting YES on New Mexico Higher Education GO Bond 3.

For the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA), Bond 3 funding would support Phase I of the IAIA Campus Generator Project, a critical infrastructure investment that will strengthen campus resiliency and sustainability. The project includes the purchase and installation of a generator that will be integrated with IAIA’s existing solar energy network, helping provide reliable, renewable power during extended outages. This investment will reduce dependence on the electrical grid and help ensure that IAIA can continue serving students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding Rancho Viejo community when disruptions occur.

“Investing in IAIA’s infrastructure is an investment in our students and in the future of Indigenous arts and education. Bond 3 would help us build a more resilient and sustainable campus, ensuring that IAIA can continue to serve our community and future generations with the care, responsibility, and stewardship that guide our work,” said IAIA President Dr. Shelly C. Lowe (Navajo).

As the nation’s only college dedicated exclusively to contemporary Indigenous arts and culture, IAIA is committed to fostering student success, advancing Indigenous creativity and scholarship, strengthening community connections, and building a sustainable future for generations to come. These priorities are reflected in the IAIA Strategic Plan ’28, which emphasizes stewardship, responsibility, student well-being, and long-term sustainability.

Learn more about Higher Education Bond 3 at www.higheredbond3.com and follow the campaign on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NMGOBond3

Photograph by Jason S. Ordaz, Institute of American Indian Arts.

09/08/2026

James “Jim” Rivera, Professor in IAIA’s undergraduate Studio Arts program, shared the discoveries, questions, and insights that emerged from an intensive exploration of color theory and its impact on artists and designers. What began as a study of color quickly evolved into a deep and thought-provoking journey through art, science, perception, and creative practice. Using research, historical texts, artist studies, and hands-on experimentation, Rivera guided the audience through the surprisingly complex world of color.

Throughout the presentation, Rivera returned to a message that resonated strongly with students and artists alike: learning happens through application. Research, workshops, and instruction provide valuable guidance, but real growth comes from experimentation, persistence, and the willingness to make mistakes. His sabbatical project revealed that the study of color is not just about understanding pigments and palettes. It is about developing a deeper awareness of how we see, create, and engage with the world around us.

Read more on our website at https://iaia.edu/color-chaos-creativity-jim-rivera-sabbatical/

Photograph by Jason S. Ordaz, Institute of American Indian Arts.

09/04/2026

Join us this fall for a dynamic lineup of IAIA Continuing Education (CE) classes at the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA). Whether you’re looking to deepen your creative practice, engage with Indigenous perspectives on contemporary issues, or gain practical skills, our online and in-person offerings are designed to be flexible, relevant, and community-centered. Courses are taught by experienced Indigenous educators, artists, and thought leaders, and are open to the public. See the schedule below and find the course that inspires you.

• October 17–18 (Saturday & Sunday), 9:30 am–3:00 pm
Poetry Writing Weekend (on-campus, in-person only)
Instructor: Luci Tapahonso (Diné)

• October 20–December 1 (Tuesdays), 6:00–8:30 pm
Part 2: Colonization and Decolonization in the 21st Century (online only)
*Part 1 (HI03) is a prerequisite for this course
Instructor: Stephen Wall (White Earth Nation)

Discounts are available for current IAIA students, IAIA alum, employees, seniors age 65 and older, and students from other Tribal colleges.

For more information or to register, visit https://iaia.edu/outreach/continuing-education/

Photographs by Jason S. Ordaz, Institute of American Indian Arts.

09/03/2026

The 2026 IAIA Benefit & Auction grossed over $1 million for student scholarships through donations, art purchases, ticket sales, sponsorships, and pledges. More than 350 guests attended the event, which raised funds through donations, art purchases, ticket sales, sponsorships, and pledges in support of IAIA students and IAIA’s mission. The sold-out 2026 IAIA Benefit & Auction—An Evening of Turquoise—was held at La Fonda on the Plaza in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Wednesday, August 12.

The evening began with cocktails at La Terraza, La Fonda on the Plaza’s rooftop venue, where guests gathered among displays of silent-auction artwork donated by IAIA alums and supporters. Following the reception, guests gathered in the Lumpkins Ballroom, where IAIA President Dr. Shelly C. Lowe (Navajo) welcomed the audience and centered the evening on IAIA students and their futures.

“Tonight, we celebrate Native creativity, we celebrate artists, we celebrate Native and Indigenous culture. But more importantly, we celebrate our remarkable students; we celebrate our institute and our future, which are made possible by the generosity of everyone in this room tonight,” said Dr. Lowe. The live auction raised $214,000, and the paddle raise generated more than $300,000 for student scholarships. Including donations and sponsorships, the event grossed over $1 million.

Read more on our website at https://iaia.edu/2026-iaia-benefit-auction-raises-over-1-million/

Photograph by Jason S. Ordaz, Institute of American Indian Arts.

Address

83 Avan Nu Po Road
Santa Fe, NM
87508

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

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http://www.iaia.edu/

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