Through the concept of art as a traditional path of creativity, IAIA excels at skill building, provoking thought and providing exceptional educational opportunities. IAIA is a place to embrace the past, enrich the present, and create the future, moving ahead to paths yet unexplored and undiscovered. Here on our stunning 140 acre Santa Fe campus, the beauty of learning is enhanced by the beauty of our surroundings. For generations, the unique landscape, dramatic light, and rugged physical beauty have made Santa Fe a mecca for artists seeking to express the deepest reaches of their creativity. We are a fine arts school in a fine arts town, which adds immensely, and positively, to the atmosphere and learning possibilities. The Institute of American Indian Arts sits on the homelands of the Pueblo nations. Spirit and Vision-Our First Priorities At IAIA, the spirit and vision of Native American and Alaska Native people is our first priority. Founded on October 1, 1962, the Institute of American Indian Arts offers academic excellence to both Native and non-Native populations. Our goal is empowerment through education, economic self-sufficiency, and expression and enhancement of artistic and cultural traditions. We take great pride in preparing students to pursue a life rich with ideas, expression, and moral values. We are ensuring a continual flow of leadership to carry our heritage and traditions forward. Our faculty, many of whom are Native, leaders, and IAIA graduates, give witness to the positive impact IAIA's unique environment and influence have had on their lives. IAIA is a place where traditions are rediscovered, explored, and deepened. Where your art and cultural identity will be celebrated and revered. It is a place of welcome that you will feel part of and that will remain part of you no matter how far you go in life. Those fortunate enough to make IAIA part of their educational and growth experience will find it a profound and expansive experience. Named one of the top art institutions by UNESCO and the International Association of Art, IAIA has taken its rightful place among the leading art institutions of the nation. Our facility-rich, architecturally-significant buildings and campus, along with our physical surroundings and location within one of the nation's largest and most vibrant art markets, make IAIA a higher degree of education. If you are ready to stretch your limits, redefine your boundaries, hone your skills, and discover the best of yourself, then IAIA is the place for you.
