Tribal Colleges - NM

The Institute of American Indian Arts (congressionally chartered as the Institute of American Indian & Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development) was established by Executive Order under President John F. Kennedy in 1962. The only institute of higher education in the world devoted solely to the study and practice of the artistic and cultural traditions of American Indian and Alaska Native peoples, the institute has created a long history and tradition of art education. After years of renting aging facilities, the institute began constructing its own campus with the launch of Campaign Sii Ha Sin.
Initially an extension of the Indian School’s high school curriculum, the institute has grown into an accredited, federally chartered fine arts college. IAIA offers four-year degrees in Studio Arts, Creative Writing, Museum Studies and Visual Communication. In the fall of 2002, the institute had an enrollment of 155 students. The Institute of American Indian Arts Museum houses a collection of contemporary American Indian and Alaska Native art, more than 8,000 paintings, sculpture, ceramic, jewelry, graphics, costumes, beadwork, textiles, photographs and creative written materials. The Museum also has ongoing major art shows and in addition provides a small gallery to sell students works.