Contemporary Indian Art today is produced in many styles, materials, and techniques. It is a critique of what is happening in the world today and in the native community. A combination of what is seen in contemporary art and contemporary native art. The Indian artist today is creating are work that is exciting, creative, and risk taking. They are the students that we are currently seeing at Institute of American Indian Arts today. The Indian students today want their own voice and to be skilled to use any materials or technology that is expected in the art world.

This is an important part of IAIA history as in the beginning the Institute founders championed freedom of expression for American Indian arts and encouraged students to experiment with new materials and technologies. Stereotypes and misconceptions were dispelled through bold creative expression, and the institute encourages their students to set their own artistic standards, becoming empowered by their own voices.


CENTER OF ARTS AND CULTURAL STUDIES

The goals of the Center are to encourage creative motivation, to promote artistic discipline, and to emphasize individuality and quality. Equipped with these fundamental skills, students will be able to nurture their interests in their chosen field. The Center offers all the credit courses at the Institute, including classes in contemporary and traditional art forms, indigenous studies, and a variety of general educational offerings. Courses range from Foundation Art design and drawing courses, painting, printmaking, ceramics, jewelry, sculpture, photography, traditional native beading and clothing.
The goals of the Center are to encourage creative motivation, to promote artistic discipline, and to emphasize individuality and quality. Equipped with these fundamental skills, students will be able to nurture their interests in their chosen field.

Statement of Educational Goals

The primary goal of the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development is to enhance knowledge and understanding of the cultural traditions of American Indians and Alaska Natives with a special focus on traditional and contemporary Native art. To this end, the Institute provides a curriculum, which combines professional skills, development with an integrated liberal arts education.
IAIA's educational goals are:

• To recruit and admit qualified Native American and Alaska Native students and provide them with an Indian arts education.
• To graduate students from Associate of Fine Arts, Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts and the Bachelor of Arts programs with demonstrated artistic, basic academic, intellectual, and literacy skills.
• To focus on the needs of the individual student by providing an environment that encourages independent work, personal growth, and professional development.
• To provide students with knowledge of cultural heritage and provide awareness of community and cultural diversity.
• To attract and retain professionally active faculty members who, as artists and educators, help students develop fundamental skills and professional competencies and standards.
• To provide space and resources appropriate to meet the needs of students and the requirements of the programs.
• To provide exhibitions, visiting artists, lectures, various arts activities and programs which enrich the educational experience of both students and the community.
• To operate within a budget that maintains resources sufficient to ensure the growth, maintenance and development of the Institute.
• To create an ongoing evaluation process which encourages the Board of Trustees, administration, faculty, and alumni to gain an understanding of and become committed to the mission and goals of the Institute.

Accreditation

The Institute is accredited by both the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. Accreditation became effective in 1984.


NEW CAMPUS AND NEW BUILDINGS

IAIA has a new campus of its own! Our new campus has some of the finest art studios and state of the arts living spaces.

IAIA is situated on 140 acres just outside of Santa Fe and has a panoramic view of the Mountain region. You can observe nature at its fullest moving cross the four directions. The new campus has given the Institute a strong and proud community.