Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA)

The Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) recently announced an initiative to establish the Patsy Phillips Endowed Scholarship in Museum Studies, a named scholarship honoring Patsy Phillips (Cherokee Nation), Director of the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts (MoCNA), as she prepares to retire at the end of June after 18 years at MoCNA and 30 years advancing contemporary Indigenous arts. The scholarship fund is designated to support future qualifying IAIA Indigenous women students pursuing degrees in Museum Studies who will rise to fill much-needed roles as Indigenous leaders in the museum field, reflecting her lifelong commitment to opening doors for Indigenous students, artists, curators, and cultural leaders. With $85,000 already pledged, IAIA is seeking additional founding donors to launch the endowment in time for the scholarship to be announced at IAIA’s Benefit & Auction in August.

The announcement comes amid recognition of Phillips’ service and impact. IAIA recently conferred upon Phillips an honorary doctoral degree during the 2026 IAIA Commencement Ceremony, and MoCNA dedicated the Patsy Phillips Gallery in her honor. Phillips was also elected to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences in Spring 2026 and named to ForbesWomen’s 50 Over 50 list in 2025. She announced her retirement earlier this year after a 30-year career at ATLATL, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, and MoCNA, where she has served as director for 18 years, saying: “I am announcing my retirement with sincere gratitude… It is important to have Native women in these roles for future generations.” She plans to remain active in the field through board service with the American Alliance of Museums and ICOM-US, and continue supporting IAIA and MoCNA.

Read more on our website at https://iaia.edu/patsy-phillips-endowed-scholarship-museum-studies/

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

On Saturday, May 16, the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) welcomed graduates, families, loved ones, faculty, staff, and community members to campus for the 2026 IAIA Commencement Ceremony and the “Honoring Our Graduates” IAIA Spring Powwow. More than 750 commencement guests gathered for a day shaped by celebration, gratitude, and the collective care that brought the Class of 2025–2026 to this milestone.

This year, IAIA honored 79 graduates, 51 undergraduates, and 28 Master of Fine Arts graduates, representing 55 Indigenous Nations and 16 states, with students ranging in age from 20 to 67. Eighty-two percent of the Class of 2025–2026 is Indigenous, reflecting IAIA’s tagline as The University for Indigenous Creative Excellence. Degrees and certificates were awarded in programs including Cinematic Arts & Technology, Creative Writing, Indigenous Liberal Studies, Museum Studies, Studio Arts, Business & Entrepreneurship, Broadcast Journalism, Cultural Administration, and Native American Studies.

IAIA President Dr. Shelly C. Lowe (Navajo) welcomed the graduates by recognizing the perseverance behind their achievements and the creative futures ahead of them. IAIA honored Dr. Rosita Kaaháni Worl (Tlingit), president of Sealaska Heritage Institute, as the 2026 Commencement keynote speaker and honorary doctorate recipient, and also conferred an honorary doctorate upon Patsy Phillips (Cherokee Nation), Director of the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts (MoCNA), in recognition of her contributions to contemporary Indigenous arts. Tru West (Diné), the Class of 2026 valedictorian, reminded graduates that “Art, especially Indigenous art, not only has a place in the world, but we are actively changing and reshaping that world. When night comes, know that we will always be connected by the stars we share ‘under one sky.”

Read more on our website at https://iaia.edu/2026-iaia-commencement-under-one-sky/

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

The Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) is proud to sponsor the National Stereoscopic Association’s (NSA) 2026 NSA 3D-Con, taking place July 12–19, 2026, at The Clyde Hotel in downtown Albuquerque. Stereoscopy is a form of 3-D imaging that uses paired images, one for each eye, to create the illusion of depth when viewed through a stereoscope, 3-D viewer, 3-D glasses, or other viewing technology. First popularized in the mid-1800s, stereoscopic photography continues to connect art, science, history, and technology. That connection can also be seen at IAIA through recent 3-D photographs made of the Spring 2026 graduating seniors, which are available to view at https://iaia.edu/event/2026-spring-iaia-graduating-senior-exhibition-reception/

Founded in 1974, the National Stereoscopic Association is a nonprofit organization with more than 1,000 members dedicated to promoting the study, collection, and use of stereo photography. Its annual summer convention, 3D-Con, is held in a different city each year and brings together artists, historians, collectors, technologists, and 3-D enthusiasts for theater presentations, workshops, photography contests, history sessions, excursions, and special interest group gatherings. IAIA’s sponsorship includes support for an artists’ exhibition and reception. A major public highlight of the Albuquerque conference will be the NSA Trade Fair, free and open to the public on Friday and Saturday, July 17–18, with more information available on the official 3D-Con website at https://www.3d-con.com/

Image: To view this stereoscopic photograph in 3-D, sit comfortably and view the card at arm’s length. Relax your eyes and look “through” the image as if you’re focusing on something far away. You’ll briefly see double; keep relaxing until a third, sharp image appears in the center. When that middle image snaps into focus, the portrait will gain depth and appear in 3-D. Photograph by Jason S. Ordaz, Institute of American Indian Arts.

Now Hiring—Editorial Coordinator

The Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) is seeking a talented and detail-oriented Editorial Coordinator to support the Office of Institutional Communications through writing, editing, and content development across a variety of platforms. Working under the direction of the Chief Communications Officer, this role helps shape and share IAIA’s stories through social media, website content, press releases, publications, and other communications initiatives.

The ideal candidate will bring exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills, experience creating engaging content for diverse audiences, and a strong understanding of institutional voice and style. The successful candidate will collaborate with departments across campus, highlight the achievements of IAIA students, faculty, staff, and alumni, and help advance the Institute’s mission through thoughtful, culturally responsive storytelling and communications. This full-time, in-person position is based on IAIA’s campus in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Learn more and apply at https://iaia.edu/about/employment/.

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

The Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA), the University for Indigenous Creative Excellence, is pleased to announce the appointment of Carin Silkaitis, MFA, as IAIA’s Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, effective August 1, 2026. Silkaitis brings significant experience as an academic leader, artist, educator, and administrator. They currently serve as Dean of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Humanities at the University of Alaska Southeast. Silkaitis also recently served as Interim Provost, leading academic strategy, accreditation, research and sponsored programs, and graduate education across three campuses.

“Carin Silkaitis brings collaborative, mission-driven leadership to IAIA at an important moment in our institution’s future,” said IAIA President Dr. Shelly C. Lowe (Navajo). “Their experience in academic strategy, accreditation, student success, faculty development, shared governance, external partnerships, and arts-centered higher education aligns strongly with IAIA’s commitment to Indigenous creative excellence. We are excited to welcome them to the IAIA community.”

As Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, Silkaitis will serve as IAIA’s Chief Academic Officer and provide executive leadership for Academic and Student Affairs. Working closely with faculty, staff, students, and the President’s Cabinet, they will help advance academic excellence, student success, Indigenous arts and cultures, and the values that guide IAIA’s work.

Read more on our website at https://iaia.edu/iaia-announces-carin-silkaitis-as-next-provost/

Image: Portrait of Carin Silkaitis, courtesy of Carin Silkaitis.

Now Hiring—Library Director

The Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) is seeking an experienced and visionary Library Director to lead and oversee all library operations in support of the institution’s academic mission. This senior leadership role provides strategic direction for library services, collections, technology, budgeting, staff development, and community engagement while fostering collaboration across the institution.

The ideal candidate will bring extensive expertise in academic librarianship, strong leadership and management skills, and a commitment to advancing culturally responsive library services. This individual will support Indigenous Knowledge systems, promote ethical stewardship of Native cultural materials, and cultivate an inclusive, service-oriented environment that supports student success and reflects IAIA’s mission and values.

Learn more and apply at https://iaia.edu/about/employment/

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

IAIA is pleased to announce the establishment of the Pueblo Homelands Scholarship Endowment, created through an initial $50,000 gift from IAIA alum, Trustee, and renowned artist Rose B. Simpson (Santa Clara Pueblo) ’07, ’18. The new, standalone endowed scholarship is intended to support undergraduate students at IAIA from the 19 New Mexico Pueblo Nations, the Hopi Nation, and the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo Nation.

Beginning in the 2026–2027 academic year, the fund is designed to support up to four students each academic year, with awards of up to $2,500 per student. The scholarship is intended to grow over time as a source of merit-based scholarship support for generations to come and reflects Simpson’s ongoing relationship with IAIA, including the 2024 dedication of “Heights I” on campus and her service on the IAIA Board of Trustees.

Read more on our website at https://iaia.edu/iaia-pueblo-homelands-scholarship/

Image: Artwork by David Naranjo (Santa Clara Pueblo) ’17, courtesy the artist; photograph by Jason S. Ordaz.

Now Hiring—Human Resources Director

The Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) is seeking an experienced and strategic Human Resources Director to lead and oversee all HR functions supporting both IAIA and the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts (MoCNA). This senior leadership role partners closely with executive leadership to guide talent acquisition, employee relations, compliance, compensation and benefits, workforce planning, and organizational development across the institution.

The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in human resources management, sound judgment, strong leadership skills, and a commitment to fostering an employee-centered and culturally responsive workplace that supports IAIA’s mission and values.

Learn more and apply at https://iaia.edu/about/employment/

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