Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development

Santa Fe, NM

publicgraduate

About Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development

Igniting Native arts and culture, IAIA champions Indigenous creativity and heritage.

The Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development (IAIA) stands as a beacon for Indigenous artistic expression and cultural preservation. Co-founded in 1962 by visionary Cherokee artist Lloyd Kiva New and Dr. George Boyce, IAIA was established to foster creativity and provide advanced educational opportunities rooted in Native American and Alaska Native traditions.

Born from a pivotal moment when there was a growing desire for higher quality education beyond the Santa Fe Indian School, IAIA quickly evolved from a high school program to a respected collegiate institution. Its significance was further solidified in 1986 when it was congressionally chartered as a nonprofit, akin to the esteemed Smithsonian Institution, cementing its unique place in the national educational landscape. In 1994, IAIA was proudly designated a land-grant college, reinforcing its commitment to serving its community and advancing Native arts and culture through education and research.

Today, IAIA offers a robust academic environment, boasting accredited four-year degree programs and an innovative two-year low-residency MFA in creative writing. Students thrive on its inspiring 140-acre campus located just 12 miles south of downtown Santa Fe, immersing themselves in a vibrant community dedicated to the arts. Furthermore, IAIA extends its reach through the Museum of Contemporary Native Art in Santa Fe Plaza and the Center for Lifelong Education, providing unparalleled opportunities for students and the public to engage with groundbreaking contemporary Native art.

Key Highlights

✦Co-founded in 1962 by influential Cherokee artist Lloyd Kiva New and Dr. George Boyce.
✦Congressionally chartered in 1986 as a nonprofit organization, similar in structure to the Smithsonian Institution.
✦Designated a land-grant college in 1994, joining 31 other tribal colleges in this distinction.
✦Offers accredited four-year degrees since 2001 and college- and graduate-level art courses since 1975.
✦Home to a unique two-year low-residency MFA in Creative Writing, accredited in 2013.
✦Operates the Museum of Contemporary Native Art in Santa Fe Plaza, showcasing leading Indigenous art.
✦Features a 140-acre campus located 12 miles south of Santa Fe, providing an enriching artistic environment.

Timeline

1962

Co-founded as the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) by Lloyd Kiva New and Dr. George Boyce.

1962

IAIA begins operating on the Santa Fe Indian School campus.

1975

Begins offering college- and graduate-level art courses.

1986

Congressionally chartered as the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development, separating from the BIA.

1994

Designated a land-grant college.

2001

Achieves accreditation for four-year degrees.

2013

Two-year low-residency MFA in Creative Writing program becomes accredited.

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