12/06: In a town known for its museums, 16 in all, the Institute of American Indian Art (IAIA) stands out as not only Santa Fe's premier venue for contemporary American Indian art but as one of the most important institutions of its kind in the world. But it is about more than "contemporary" versus "traditional" art. The museum's programming offers a more complex view of modern Native art that reflects its diverse cross-cultural influences and explores its complicated historical development through its educational programming.

After a $1.2 million renovation, the IAIA museum re-opened this summer under the leadership of its new director, John Grimes, who comes to Santa Fe after his 28-year tenure at the Peabody Essex Museum. "I am excited to be arriving at the IAIA at this critically important moment," said Grimes. "With refurbished galleries and new environmental controls, we will be able to host major traveling exhibitions. We can begin fulfilling our potential as a nationally recognized showcase for important contemporary Native American art."

"Now, we can bring together the best and brightest Native artists, for exhibitions, residencies, and programs," continued Grimes. "We will be a meeting place between the Native and non-Native worlds, a place where education and dialogue can take place in a friendly and respectful atmosphere. It is the special role of the IAIA Museum to highlight the contemporary creativity of Native American artists, and their communities, in response to a rapidly changing world," he explained.

Grimes sees the IAIA Museum's contemporary art focus as complementary to the offerings of other Santa Fe organizations such as SITE Santa Fe, the Center for Contemporary Art, the Santa Fe Art Institute, the Museum of Fine Arts, and others. "I think that we all see Santa Fe as an important destination for contemporary art. We at the IAIA Museum want to be a valued partner among the region's cultural institutions, as well as a good neighbor to other downtown Santa Fe businesses, and an active contributor to the quality of life experienced by local residents and visitors."

Grimes pointed out that the IAIA Museum and the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington are the two leading national institutions devoted to Native American art and culture.

The museum is an important extension of the IAIA college, established by Executive Order under President John F. Kennedy and opened in 1962. Since its beginning, the college has graduated over 3,800 students representing 90 percent of the 562 federally recognized Tribes in the U.S. The school has been named one of the world's most significant art education institutions by UNESCO (United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and the International Association of Art. The collective work of the school's students is the foundation of the National Collection of Contemporary Indian Art made up of more than 6,500 pieces of art and housed at the IAIA museum. The institution also has a growing reputation for producing Native filmmakers and producers of electronic media through its film curriculum.

Both the college and museum represent the best of what is taking place in modern Native American art. For further information contact John Villani at the IAIA, <jvillani@iaia.edu>, 505-424-2351.