IAIA Together Apart
Keeping the IAIA community connected
#IAIATogetherApart on Instagram
Instagram posts that are tagged with the #IAIATogetherApart hashtag are posted here. (Only posts that are public will be displayed, private posts are hidden.) If you’d like to share images or videos, please post them to Instagram using the #IAIATogetherApart hashtag, and please follow Social Media Guidelines with those postings, too.
The pandemic has brought me much sadness, but also blessings. A couple months ago, my family had lost my aunt to Covid-19. When I first heard the news, I cried so many tears for my aunt. I always hoped she was doing well. It had been many years since I've last seen her. The memories of what she looked like, her voice, and smile echoed in my mind and crumbled my heart. I still really miss her as I am writing this. I deeply wish I can see her and hug her. Just seeing my family has brought me so much comfort, and so is living with my boyfriend. Family has never mattered so much more to me during times like this. All I can believe right now is everything will be okay. #iaiatogetherapart
The following letter is a submission from #IAIATogetherApart, set 50 years from now. To see more submissions or submit your own, visit togetherapart.iaia.edu.
Pandemic Letter—April 9, 2020, 1:42 pm, Anonymous
Dear Reader,
I am writing from a world in which there is no shortage of grotesque heaps of hurt. Assuming that hasn’t gone away, maybe you’re sick of being pat on the head. Maybe you’re sick of being at the receiving end of that hurt. Maybe you’re sick of having to explain why it hurts, or maybe you’re just sick. I take it you’ve heard of COVID-19. Perhaps you’ve been a witness to your grandparent or great-grandparent ranting and reeling about the effect it had on their lives, or maybe told the same stories by your parents. They were stories about how hard they had to work to keep their jobs, or how hard they had to work to educate their children by themselves with countless additional responsibilities. Maybe your elders would say things about how they needed to feel privileged that they had a job at all—from home or at risk. They needed to be grateful that they were slaves to capitalism at the desires of the rich. Maybe your grandparents were children when coronavirus initially began. Maybe your grandparents couldn’t graduate college or high school that initial year. They remember watching their parents struggle to provide, struggle to ration food, some not knowing where their money was coming from after being “guaranteed” their position, but laid off nonetheless. The other side of the coin could be stories of how they remember their parents going out, living as-is, shopping constantly, not wearing masks, or gloves, or caring. Maybe they remember losing someone—a parent, a friend, a child? Maybe they were isolated alone, or without resources. You didn’t live through it, but this is not the depression, 9/11, or the recession of yore. This is different. So much about this disease was unforeseen. It was merciless, fast, suffocating, and unpredictable.
(Continued in the comments)
Working from home has been a major test of patience for me. My son’s attitude reminds me of me more and more every day. Likewise, I am reminding myself of my mother more and more every day. What is going on? This feels like the Twilight Zone.
This kid keeps taking his diaper off and flinging it across the room. Have you ever had to clean human feces from the carpet at 9 am, and then have a zoom meeting at 9:15? If so, I’m right there with you. There is crayon scribbled on every surface of this house. You know, at first I told him to stop, but towards the end of the first week I just looked at him and said “don’t you want to go color on the walls some more?” just to buy myself a few minutes of silence. Don’t most two-year-olds nap? Not this guy! And he’s become obsessed with TikTok. Every five minutes it’s “Make a TikTok, Mama!? Make a TikTok!?” We’ve watched so many TikToks now that every now and then he opens the front door and screams “CORONAVIRUS!” à la Cardi B. He’s running through the living room screaming it as we speak. Somehow we’ve watched Cars two-million times in two weeks. Ka-chow! And I caught him eating an ant the other day—he squished it under his finger, stuck his finger in his mouth, then went in for more—and I didn’t stop him. I just sat there in my exhaustion and let it happen. But, hey, it’s protein, right? I guess we’re both coping by stress-eating—I’m already three string cheeses, a row of Oreos, and several fruit snacks deep today. I seriously can’t stop snacking! But I need to be better at practicing self control, because I already had to venture out to the store once this week to replenish our snack stock and while I’ve definitely feared for my life at a Wal Mart before, it just hit different this time, ya know?
It’s not all bad of course. We’re having fun and goofing around a lot, and most importantly I can tell he’s happy having me home. It’s just hard not really getting a break now and then and a bit isolating.
So check on your friends with kids, guys! We’re not ok!
#IAIATogetherApart
The #IAIATogetherApart website is now live! It was created to give voice to the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) Community—a voice to help cope with the 2020 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and its effects on a community who largely relies on day-to-day physical interaction for learning, mentoring, and communicating. All IAIA Community members are eligible to submit their stories to the #IAIATogetherApart website, which includes staff, faculty, students, alumni, board members, parents and family members, other Tribal Colleges and Universities, AIHEC, and AICF. See togetherapart.iaia.edu/submit for criteria and guidelines.
Stories can be just that, a story, or perhaps a poem, a letter—from one word to 512 words. During this pandemic, the IAIA campus is absent of your voice in its classrooms, hallways, walking paths, dorms, office spaces, buildings, and Café, but don’t let that stop you from vocalizing—share your voice, submit a story to #IAIATogetherApart.
After you submit a story, post a photo or video using your story and the #IAIATogetherApart hashtag here on Instagram for a chance to be featured on IAIA’s social media.
#IAIATogetherApart was conceived and created by IAIA’s offices of Institutional Research (Dr. Bill Sayre, Anita Gavin, Jesse Morris) and Marketing and Communications (Jason S. Ordaz, Nicole Lawe). The website launched on Monday, March 30, 2020. For inquires, please contact togetherapart@iaia.edu.
The IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts (MoCNA) is excited to announce that MacKenzie Scott and Dan Jewett made a $3 Million unrestricted donation to the museum—this is in addition to the generous award of $5 Million from MacKenzie Scott to the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in 2020. Identified as one of “286 Teams Empowering Voices the World Needs to Hear,” Scott and Jewett want “to de-emphasize privileged voices and cede focus to others.” They acknowledge that “People struggling against inequities deserve center stage in stories about change they are creating. Arts and cultural institutions can strengthen communities by transforming spaces, fostering empathy, reflecting community identity, advancing economic mobility, improving academic outcomes, lowering crime rates, and improving mental health.” The Scott team evaluated smaller arts organizations creating these benefits with artists and audiences from culturally-rich regions and identity groups that donors often overlook. They recognize communities that are “agents of change.”
“IAIAMoCNA is an ‘agent of change’ and we value the acknowledgement and recognition from these important donors. This is the largest gift the museum has ever received. Museum staff works tirelessly to produce and manage outstanding exhibitions, programs, publications, and collections. These funds will support MoCNA’s goals to continue to showcase and advance the most progressive contemporary Indigenous arts and cultures through experimental and innovative expression. This gift allows the staff to think strategically to plan for our future and will continue to embolden the museum to support and empower others.”—MoCNA Director Patsy Phillips (Cherokee Nation)
To learn more, visit www.iaia.edu/mocna-receives-generous-unrestricted-award-from-mackenzie-scott-and-dan-jewett/ or follow the link in our bio.
Photograph by Jason S. Ordaz, Institute of American Indian Arts
Registration for the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) 2021 Virtual Scholarship Event to raise funds for IAIA student scholarships is now open.
Happening on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at 5:30 pm (MDT), the event will feature an online auction of art pieces donated by some of IAIA’s award-winning artists, including Featured Artist and IAIA Alumna Kathleen Wall (Jemez Pueblo) ’14. Wall was named the 2020–2021 Museum of Indian Arts and Culture (MIAC) “Native Living Treasure,” and has created exclusive art pieces for this year’s auction. In addition to the auction, the event will also include a live paddle call for direct scholarship support, and special appearances by IAIA students, alumni, and celebrity supporters.
The annual scholarship event, historically, has been the premier event at IAIA for raising donations to support student scholarships. IAIA strives to help students graduate debt free, and proceeds from the event go to financial assistance for students.
For more information and to register, visit www.iaia.edu/philanthropy/2021-iaia-virtual-scholarship-event-and-auction/ or follow the link in our bio.
Photograph by Jason S. Ordaz, Institute of American Indian Arts
The Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) Museum of Contemporary Native Arts (MoCNA) will be closed due to construction through June 18, 2021. During this time, the Museum Store will remain open during normal operating hours, and MoCNA will reopen to the public on Saturday, June 19, 2021 at 10 am (MDT).
Located in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico, IAIAMoCNA is the country’s only museum for exhibiting, collecting, and interpreting the most progressive work of contemporary Native artists. MoCNA is dedicated solely to advancing the scholarship, discourse, and interpretation of contemporary Native art for regional, national, and international audiences. As such, it stewards the National Collection of Contemporary Native Art—9,000 artworks in all media created in 1962 or later. MoCNA is at the forefront of contemporary Native art presentation and strives to be flexible, foresighted, and risk-taking in its exhibitions and programs.
For more information about MoCNA and to purchase tickets for the reopening date, visit www.iaia.edu/mocna/ or follow the link in our bio.
Photograph by Jason S. Ordaz, Institute of American Indian Arts
Attention Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) Cinematic Arts and Technology students, the final extended deadline to apply for the George R.R. Martin Literary Foundation Scholarships as well as the NBCU Academy Scholarships is tomorrow—Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at 8 am (MDT).
The George R.R. Martin Literary Foundation Scholarships at IAIA were established by Santa Fe resident, novelist, and creator of “Game of Thrones” George R.R. Martin as a way to “pay it forward.” These include one full-attendance cost scholarship, and two tuition-cost scholarships as a means to encourage and support subsequent generations of storytellers—there are scholarships available for both current and incoming Cinematic Arts and Technology students. For more information and to apply, visit www.iaia.edu/2021-george-r-r-martin-literary-foundation-scholarships/, or follow the link in our bio.
The NBCU Academy Scholarships were established in partnership with NBC Universal News Group, which selected IAIA to be a part of the initial cohort of institutions to participate in the launch of NBCU Academy—a new, innovative, multi-platform journalism training and development program for four-year university and college students that offers education, on-campus training, and online programming. Scholarships of $10,000 will be available to eligible third and fourth-year IAIA students with financial need who declare for IAIA’s new Certificate in Broadcast Journalism. To learn more about the new certificate and to apply for the scholarship, visit www.iaia.edu/nbcu-academy-scholarship/, or follow the link in our bio.
Photograph by Jason S. Ordaz, Institute of American Indian Arts
The Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) is looking to hire driven individuals who believe in and support IAIA’s mission, “To empower creativity and leadership in Native Arts and cultures through higher education, life-long learning, and outreach.”
IAIA offers competitive salaries and an outstanding benefits package for regular full-time positions, which includes, medical, dental, vision, term life, long term disability, short term disability, a 403B investment plan, and Employee Assistance Program.
To learn more about employment at IAIA and to view available positions, visit www.iaia.edu/about/employment/, or follow the link in our bio.
Photograph by Jason. S Ordaz, Institute of American Indian Arts
The Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) is still accepting applications for the Fall 2021 Semester.
Named one of the top art institutions by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the International Association of Art (IAA), IAIA has taken its rightful place among the leading art institutions in the nation. IAIA is a place where traditions are rediscovered, explored, and deepened, and art and cultural identity are celebrated and revered. Those fortunate enough to make IAIA part of their educational and growth experience will find it a profound and expansive experience.
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. The application deadline for Fall 2021 is July 27, 2021. To schedule an appointment with an Admissions Counselor or to apply, visit www.iaia.edu/admissions/ or follow the link in our bio.
Photograph by Jason S. Ordaz, Institute of American Indian Arts
The Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) Artist-in-Residence (A-i-R) program is now accepting applications for the Fall 2021 semester. The IAIA A-i-R program hosts Native and First Nations artists for variable-length residencies taking place on the IAIA Campus in Santa Fe, New Mexico, for a meaningful period of art-making and interaction with IAIA students, staff, and faculty—as well as the Santa Fe arts community. The program demonstrates the diverse ways in which art is an integral part of cultural continuity and the intergenerational transference of knowledge. This is not a teaching position, yet this is an opportunity to create new work within a community setting.
The application deadline is July 19, 2021. For more information and to apply, visit www.iaia.edu/artist-in-residence/ or follow the link in our bio.
Photograph by Jason S. Ordaz, Institute of American Indian Arts
Would you like to earn $1,000 for college? In order to encourage and help our freshmen students prepare for a successful transition for the upcoming semester, the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) is awarding the first 50 freshman students for the Fall 2021 semester with a $1,000 cash award.
New freshman students who have been accepted for the Fall 2021 semester and have no prior college experience (other than dual credit courses) are eligible. The first 50 Freshman Students that complete the checklist will be automatically awarded the $1,000 cash award the first day of the Summer Bridge Program on July 18, 2021. The funds can be used at the student’s discretion.
To learn more about the New Freshman Award and to view the checklist, visit www.iaia.edu/admissions/new-freshman-award-checklist/ or follow the link in our bio.
For questions and more information, contact Admissions and Recruitment Director Mary Silentwalker at (505) 424-2307 or by email at mary.silentwalker@iaia.edu.
Photograph by Jason S. Ordaz, Institute of American Indian Arts
Happy #PrideMonth to all of our Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) LGBTQ+ community members!
This month, be sure to catch the award-winning short documentary, “Sweetheart Dancers,” directed by Ben-Alex Dupris (Colville Confederated Tribes)—now showing in the Helen Hardin Media Gallery at the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts (MoCNA) June 7–27, 2021.
“Indigenous dancers Sean and Adrian sweetheartdancers2019 challenge the rulebook of San Manuel's Native American Sweetheart Special as they attempt to compete in the annual couple's competition. Dancing not only against the other dancers, but against the drums of oppression and closed-mindedness, this two-spirit couple is determined to rewrite the rules of "one man, one woman" with their resplendent charisma, character, and resilience.”
IAIAMoCNA is open Monday and Wednesday–Saturday 10 am–5 pm, Sunday 11 am–4 pm, and closed on Tuesdays. For more information about MoCNA and to purchase tickets, visit www.iaia.edu/mocna/ or follow the link in our bio.
Image courtesy of Documentary Educational Resources
The Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) is taking the #COVIDCollegeChallenge pledge. Together, we can keep the IAIA community safe by taking the pledge, committing to action, and getting the COVID-19 vaccine. #WeCanDoThis WhiteHouse.gov/COVIDCollegeChallenge
Photograph by Jason S. Ordaz, Institute of American Indian Arts
The Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) Continuing Education (CE) Summer Courses are now available for registration. The Summer course schedule features unique and affordable educational offerings, including a beekeeping series, Indigenous language, writing, and business courses.
Continuing Education is committed to providing comprehensive training and adult education for the advancement and growth in workforce skills, lifelong learning, and empowerment through community-based learning opportunities.
Reserve your spot today and register for a class at www.iaia.edu/outreach/continuing-education/ or follow the link in our bio.
As of today, 39.1% of New Mexicans age 18–24 have received one dose, and 31% have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine—but we can close the gap. #TakeYourShot by registering at www.vaccinenm.org today, where all New Mexicans can now self-schedule vaccine appointments.
Photograph by Jason S. Ordaz, Institute of American Indian Arts
There’s a swarm of honey bees on the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) Campus, and they’re working to bring goodness to the students, staff, and faculty. IAIA’s Land-Grant program iaialandgrantprograms established honey bee hives on campus this spring and hired several student-workers to help grow the community of pollinators. In turn, the bees will provide food sustenance and products that can be used for student art.
As pollinators, the bees also play a vital role in maintaining equilibrium within the ecosystem. Pollination directly impacts the production of food, and it helps to maintain ecological biodiversity. Sustainability is one of the core values at IAIA, and introducing this population of bees is helping to support the revitalization of biodiversity on the IAIA Campus and surrounding community in line with IAIA’s Climate Action Plan.
Learn more about IAIA’s beekeeping journey at www.iaia.edu/iaias-beekeeping-journey/ or follow the link in our bio.
Photograph by Jason S, Ordaz, Institute of American Indian Arts
The Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) has been selected by NBCUniversal News Group to be a part of the initial cohort of institutions to participate in the launch of #NBCUAcademy—a new, innovative, multi-platform journalism training and development program for four-year university and college students that offers education, on-campus training, and online programming. The initiative includes a curated onsite curriculum for a hands-on learning experience with world-class NBCU News Group journalists, funding for accredited journalism programs, and scholarships.
Along with the program, NBCUAcademy is investing a total of $6.5 million to the initiative, including scholarships worth $3.5 million over the next two years to the 17 partner institutions. Scholarships of $10,000 will be available to eligible third and fourth-year IAIA students with financial need who declare for IAIA’s new Certificate in Broadcast Journalism. These scholarships will begin in the fall, and the deadline to apply is this upcoming Monday, June 1, 2021 at 8 am (MDT).
To learn more about the new Certificate in Broadcast Journalism or to apply for the scholarship, visit www.iaia.edu/nbcu-academy-scholarship/.
Photograph by Jason S. Ordaz, Institute of American Indian Arts
Join us on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at 5:30 pm (MDT), as we come together to raise funds for the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) student scholarships, which are critical for student success.
The IAIA 2021 Virtual Scholarship Event will feature an online auction of art pieces donated by some of IAIA’s award-winning artists, including Featured Artist and IAIA alumna Kathleen Wall (Jemez Pueblo) ’14. Wall, who created a collection of work specifically for the event, titled “Create Our Future—Honor Our Past,” features an extraordinary cohort of artists who contributed to the final work. Contributing artists include Tony Abeyta (Navajo Nation) ’86, Penny Singer (Dine) ’96, Diego Romero (Cochiti Pueblo) ’86, Jody Naranjo (Santa Clara Pueblo), Marcus Amerman (Choctaw), Kelly Church (Potawatomi/Odawa/Ojibwe) ’96, Wanesia Spry Misquadace (Ojibway) ’04, and Linda Lomahaftewa (Hopi/Choctaw) ’65.
Wall was named the 2020–2021 Museum of Indian Arts and Culture (MIAC) “Native Living Treasure,” and has created exclusive art pieces for this year’s auction. In addition to the auction, the event will also include a live paddle call for direct scholarship support, and special appearances by IAIA students, alumni, and celebrity supporters.
The annual scholarship event, historically, has been the premier event for raising donations to support student scholarships at IAIA. This year, due to safety concerns associated with COVID-19 and difficulties with holding large gatherings, IAIA has opted to hold a virtual event with some smaller in-person components, such as an in-person exhibition of the auction art in the Balzer Contemporary Edge Gallery on the IAIA Campus. However, the goal is still the same—raising much needed contributions for the student scholarship fund. IAIA strives to help students graduate debt free, and proceeds from the event go to financial assistance for IAIA students.
For more information and details, visit www.iaia.edu/bid.
Photograph by Jason S. Ordaz, Institute of American Indian Arts
The American Indian College Fund (AICF) Full Circle Scholarship application deadline is fast approaching—all application materials must be submitted by this upcoming Monday, May 31, 2021.
Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) current and incoming students, register now for the last Scholarship Prep Event about the instacollegefund 2021–2022 Full Circle application, which will be held on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at 2 pm (MDT). The Scholarship Prep Event will address questions about applying for the Full Circle Scholarship, and all attendees will be entered in a drawing for fun prizes. The registration link—as well as videos of prior info sessions—can be found at www.collegefund.org/scholarships.
Please note that unofficial transcripts are required for the AICF Full Circle Application. Transfer and graduate students will need to contact their college Registrar or records office—high school seniors will need to contact their high school records office or college counselor. For current IAIA students, unofficial transcripts can be accessed in the student database, Empower. Under “Student Records” click “Student Schedule (Detail)” this shows the current schedule and will show the Cumulated Grade Point Average (CGPA). Print the page and save it as a PDF to upload to the AICF portal.
If you have issues and need to re-set your Empower password, contact the Empower Administrator Anita Gavin at (505) 424-5701 or anita.gavin@iaia.edu.
Photograph by Jason S. Ordaz, Institute of American Indian Arts
IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts (MoCNA) is pleased to announce that the annual Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) Recent Graduate Art Market will be happening this year August 21–22, 2021, 7 am–5 pm (MDT).
The 2021 IAIA Recent Graduate Art Market will be held under the iaiamocna portal, located in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico. For safety reasons, and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of booths have been reduced by three, making a total of 17 booths. This unique event will feature original artwork created by recent IAIA graduates within the last six years (2016–2021)—and all booth fees associated with the market will be donated to the Academy for Technology and the Classics’ (ATC) Native American Club. The club was formed in Fall 2020 for middle and high school students at ATC to expand their education and understanding about Native American cultures and to create a space for Native American students to gather, share ideas, and discuss common interests and concerns. Funds raised from the art market will help support the Native American Club’s field trips, guest lectures, events, volunteer work, and activities.
For more information regarding art market eligibility, the lottery selection process, general booth information, and to apply, visit www.iaia.edu/2021-iaia-recent-graduate-art-market/. Lottery selection applications must be submitted by June 4, 2021 at 5 pm (MDT) for the public lottery drawing on June 8, 2021.
For questions regarding the IAIA 2021 Recent Graduate Art Market, please contact MoCNA Curator of Collections Tatiana Lomahaftewa-Singer at tlomahaftewa-singer@iaia.edu or by phone at (505) 428-5899.
Photograph by Jason S. Ordaz, Institute of American Indian Arts
The Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) is thrilled to share that warnermedia has funded scholarships for the Low Residency IAIA MFA in Creative Writing (MFACW) students. The total amount of the funding granted to IAIA is $20,000, awarded as two scholarships—one award of $12,000 and one award of $8,000—which will each be distributed evenly over two semesters. To qualify, applicants must be second-year iaia_mfa_cw students of Native American heritage, in good academic standing, and they must be in the Screenwriting cohort. In addition to scholarships, WarnerMedia will also be providing mentor services to the scholarship recipients.
WarnerMedia is a leading media and entertainment company that creates and distributes premium and popular content from a diverse array of talented storytellers and journalists to global audiences through its consumer brands including HBO, HBO Max, Warner Bros., TNT, TBS, truTV, CNN, DC, New Line, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies, and others. The organization also includes Xandr’s suite of advanced advertising solutions designed to help to improve advertising for brands, publishers, and consumers. WarnerMedia is part of AT&T Inc.
“IAIA has done so much impressive work to support this community. We’re incredibly proud to be able to support this program and the students that benefit from these efforts.”—Karen Horne, Senior Vice President, Equity and Inclusion, WarnerMedia
Photograph by Jason S. Ordaz, Institute of American Indian Arts
The Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) is hiring, and currently looking to fill the admissions counselor position. The admissions counselor is an energetic professional who will counsel prospective students, parents, and high school counselors about admissions at IAIA, and is responsible for participating in recruitment efforts and meeting targeted enrollment goals in the New Mexico Area—with a possibility of national travel. The incumbent supports the mission, vision, and core values of IAIA, and plays a vital role in recruitment and enrollment.
For more information and to apply, visit www.iaia.edu/about/employment/.
Photograph by Jason S. Ordaz, Institute of American Indian Arts
The Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) is pleased to announce Financial Aid and Scholarship Advisor Leah Boss (Laguna/Hopi/Akimel O’Odham) as the 2020–2021 IAIA Staff of the Year. The IAIA Staff of the Year is chosen by the students through a survey in which they are asked “which staff member has inspired you to do your very best work, and who have you learned the most from?”
Leah Boss began working at IAIA in 2009 as the Office Manager in the Student Success Center, and in 2013, Boss was promoted to Student Accounts and Financial Aid Advisor. In 2018, she was promoted to Financial Aid and Scholarship Advisor, which is her current position. Boss served on the board of the New Mexico Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators as the 2020 Treasurer and 2019 Treasurer-Elect.
“Leah Boss is dedicated to helping students through the Financial Aid process, which can be complicated for students, but through her dedication and expertise, she does an outstanding job assisting our student body. Well deserved, Leah, and congratulations!”—IAIA Chief Admissions and Student Success Officer Nena Martinez Anaya
Photograph by Jason S. Ordaz, Institute of American Indian Arts
The 2021 IAIA Student Anthology, “Out of Storms Into Stars,” is now live on the anthology website. Throughout the year, Creative Writing students at the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) hold a sacred space to meet, create, and listen to the storytellers of their generation “create medicine through microphones.” Together they work with a faculty member to write, design, and edit, and at the end of each academic year they publish an annual anthology of creative writing and art. “Out of Storms Into Stars” captures a moment in time that feels bizarre, stormy, and uncharted—while still finding ways to survive, endure, and thrive in the new stars we ponder and create.
To view the anthology, visit anthology.iaia.edu.
Image design by Nami Okuzono
“You can never pay back the people who helped you when you were starting out, so you have to pay it forward.”—George R.R. Martin
The George R.R. Martin Literary Foundation Scholarships at the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) were established by Santa Fe resident, novelist, and creator of “Game of Thrones,” George R.R. Martin, as a way to “pay it forward.” These include one full-attendance cost scholarship, and two tuition-cost scholarships as a means to encourage and support subsequent generations of storytellers—there are scholarships available for both current and incoming Cinematic Arts and Technology students.
The IAIA Cinematic Arts and Technology department distinguishes itself from other film programs by emphasizing the importance of meaningful storytelling. IAIA is looking for storytellers with strong voices, in any genre (drama, comedy, romance, adventure, sci-fi, horror, etc.), who have something meaningful to say about their experiences with life, relationships, society, and the world we live in.
The deadline to apply is Tuesday, June 1, 2021 at 8 am (MDT). For more information regarding scholarship criteria and to apply, visit www.iaia.edu/martinscholarships.
Photograph by Jason S. Ordaz, Institute of American Indian Arts
This International Museum Day, the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) would like to congratulate IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts (MoCNA) iaiamocna Director Patsy Phillips (Cherokee Nation), who has been nominated and appointed to the International Council of Museums (ICOM) United States Board of Directors for a full three-year term as part of the ICOM-US Board Class of 2024. ICOM is an international organization of museums and museum professionals which is committed to the research, conservation, continuation, and communication to society of the world’s natural and cultural heritage—present and future, tangible and intangible.
Phillips was nominated by W. Richard West—Founding Director of the National Museum of the American Indian—and is joined by a dynamic group of museum directors across the United States. The other members in the ICOM-US Board Class 2024 are National September 11 Memorial & Museum 911memorial (New York, NY) Director Alice M. Greenwald, Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art hi_shangrila (Honolulu, HI) Curator of Collections + Exhibitions Leslee Katrina Michelsen, Museo de Arte de Ponce museoarteponce (Ponce, PR) Executive Director Alejandra Peña, Association of Science Museum Directors (Springfield, IL) Executive Director Bonnie Styles, and National Coast Guard Museum uscgmuseum (New London, CT) Director Elizabeth Varner.
To learn more about icomofficiel and icom.unitedstates visit www.icom.museum/en and www.icomus.org.
Photograph by Jason S. Ordaz, Institute of American Indian Arts
“A Retrospective of Change,” the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) 2021 Spring Senior Graduating Exhibition, is available to view virtually. Due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and closure of the IAIA campus, “A Retrospective of Change” is the third virtual exhibition presenting graduating seniors’ work in the digitally-rendered IAIA Balzer Contemporary Edge Gallery. Utilizing the skills of faculty, staff, and students from across the campus to transform physical works into digital formats, graduating seniors are able to present their final projects in virtual reality, adding to the next generation of contemporary Native voices in art and broadening what it means to exhibit art.
“A Retrospective of Change” is a culmination of the students’ final semester, where they worked closely with advisors, faculty, staff, and colleagues to create and articulate their conceptually driven body of artwork. This exhibition represents a capstone to their course of study, as well as their academic experience.
Seniors
• Leandra Chimal (Mescalero Apache)
• Patrick Collins (Saginaw Chippewa and Okeechobee Seminole)
• Jaycee Custer (Navajo)
• Daniel Forest (Nonaffiliated Métis)
• Dean Little Hawk (Mnicoujou Lakota)
• Shelley Patrick (Muscogee)
• Marquita Robles (Navajo and Mexican)
• DeAnna Suazo (Diné and Taos Pueblo)
• Arcelia Teller (Navajo)
• Jen Tiger (Osage, Chickasaw, Euchee, and Delware)
• Isabella Villasboas
• Angelo Williams (Salt River Pima Maricopa)
• Jesse Wood
For more information or sales inquires, please contact iaiabalzergallery Director Mattie Reynolds (Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma) at (505) 428-5813 or at mattie.reynolds@iaia.edu.
View “A Retrospective of Change” now at www.iaia.edu/event/iaia-2021-spring-senior-graduating-exhibition-a-retrospective-of-change/ or follow the link in our bio.
Photographs by Jason S. Ordaz, Institute of American Indian Arts
Have you joined the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) “Walk to Graduation?”
“Walk to Graduation” is a fundraising initiative created by the IAIA Alumni Association and IAIAAlumniCouncil to help raise funding for the IAIA Alumni Scholarship in honor of the Class of 2021. The fundraiser will run through Friday, May 28, 2021 in celebration of all that our graduates have accomplished. We know that scholarships are an essential resource for IAIA students, and we hope to pay it forward for future IAIA Alumni. During this fundraiser, participants will have the opportunity to create their own fundraising page, recruit team members, and compete in social and fitness challenges with other teams or individuals to show their progress through social media. The goal is to have fun as a community and help grow the IAIA Alumni Scholarship fund. Please join the IAIA community as we “Walk to Graduation!”
For more information about #IAIAGradWalk21 and to sign up, visit www.iaia.edu/walk-to-graduation/.
Photograph by Jason S. Ordaz, Institute of American Indian Arts
VISIT THE COVID-19 PAGE
View the COVID-19 resource page on the IAIA website.