Institute of American Indian Arts

About Institute of American Indian Arts

The Institute of American Indian Arts was founded in 1962 and is the birthplace of contemporary Native art. Many of the four thousand students who have since attended IAIA have gone on to earn recognition as acclaimed artists, writers, educators, and leaders in their communities. The Institute has grown from a high school, to a two-year college, to a four-year college, and now to a comprehensive institution offering Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's degrees and certificates. The U.S. Congress, recognizing its uniqueness, chartered IAIA in 1986 as the only federal college charged with the responsibility for supporting and fostering scholarship and research in Native arts and cultures. IAIA's compelling mission is "Empowering creativity and leadership in Native arts and cultures through higher education, lifelong learning, and outreach." The Institute is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. IAIA is the only New Mexico institution with NASAD accreditation. IAIA also owns and operates the Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, located in downtown Santa Fe; the Museum contributes to Santa Fe's rich artistic traditions.