“To empower creativity and leadership in Native Arts and cultures through higher education, life-long learning and outreach.” IAIA is an accredited college located in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
At the University of Arizona, 31 participants convened for the Rockefeller Conference on Indian Art, a meeting that would set the stage for a new discussion regarding Indian art production.
As a result of the Rockefeller Conference on Indian Art held at the University of Arizona, a new, exploratory workshop, the Southwestern Indian Art Project, was created by the Rockefeller Foundation and the University of Arizona. Directed in part by Lloyd H. 'Kiva' New, the workshop hosted Indian youth from around the country during the summers of 1960 and 1961 and taught contemporary art forms and practices. The Southwestern Indian Art Project is generally considered the direct precursor to the fine arts program at IAIA.
Upon the success of the Southwestern Indian Art Project at the University of Arizona, BIA Commissioner Glenn Emmons, under the advisement of the Indian Arts and Crafts Board, instructed Director of Indian Education Hildegard Thompson to explore the possibility of an Indian art center operated by the BIA. In 1960, dissatisfied with the current operation at the Santa Fe Indian School, Thompson recommended new construction and remodeling of the campus to serve as a new art school. This school would become IAIA.
George A. Boyce, a career educator with the BIA and superintendent of Intermountain Indian School in Brigham City, Utah, was hired by Hildegard Thompson to be the first superintendent of IAIA in 1961.
After two years of planning, the Institute of American Indian Arts commenced operations on October 1, 1962.
Creative Writing has long been a strength of IAIA. In the Spring of 1963, Actor and Arts & Crafts board member Vincent Price created a student award for Creative Writing in his name. During the first year of the awards, first prize went to Janet Campbell for 'Red Eagle'. The awards would be held for many years to come with Mr. Price conducting public poetry readings of the work of the winners.
Douglas Crowder was among the primary students responsible for the various sculptures and other public art installations at IAIA in the early years of its operations. The 'Drummers' and Fountain are still present on the campus of the Santa Fe Indian School.
Held at the Department of Interior's Art Gallery in November of 1964 through January of 1965, the exhibition compiled the most comprehensive collection of American Indian art to date. Included in the show were IAIA students Larry Bird, George Burdeau, and Hank Gobin.
President Lyndon Johnson invited dancers from IAIA to perform for President Yameago of the Republic of Upper Volta during his visit to the United States.
Held in Washington, D.C., IAIA students, faculty and staff participated in the five-day American Indian Performing Arts Festival. The festival consisted of dances, other theatrical events and an art exhibit of IAIA student work at the newly opened Interior Department Art Gallery.
