President

The Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA), the University for Indigenous Creative Excellence, seeks a dynamic, engaging, and strategic leader to serve as its next President. IAIA seeks a leader with a deep understanding of complex factors facing higher education at this unique moment, and a steadfast commitment to the mission of serving indigenous people through higher education and the arts. The President will join the community in a significant moment for the institution and community. This is an exciting opportunity for an inspiring, communicative, and unifying leader who will guide IAIA into the future. 

Established in 1962, and chartered by Congress in 1987 as a separate, independent institution, the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development, known by a shorter name, the Institute of American Indian Arts, or “IAIA,” offers academic excellence to both Native and non-Native populations with a goal of empowering through education, economic self-sufficiency, expression and enhancement of artistic and cultural traditions. IAIA is the only institution of higher learning in the world dedicated to contemporary Native American art and culture. As a 1994 Tribal University and Land-Grant institution, IAIA is also responsible for promoting and strengthening tribal programs in food and agricultural science. 

IAIA also operates an acclaimed museum, the Museum of Contemporary Native Arts (MoCNA), which is the only one in the world focusing exclusively on exhibiting, collecting, and interpreting the work of Native American artists.

The IAIA is the birthplace of contemporary Native American art and has been the educational home for esteemed, innovative artists, writers, filmmakers, performers, scholars and museum professionals and other leaders since 1962. Today, IAIA continues to grow on its 140-acre campus, offering certificate, undergraduate, and graduate degree programs. Its constituent Museum of Contemporary Native Arts continues to expand its renowned collection of over 9,000 artworks, curating numerous progressive and innovative exhibitions, both traveling and at MoCNA’s location in downtown Santa Fe. 

Part of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium, IAIA is a public tribal land-grant college and the world’s only institution of higher learning dedicated to contemporary Native American art. IAIA offers undergraduate degrees in Cinematic Arts and Technology, Creative Writing, Indigenous Liberal Studies, Museum Studies, Performing Arts, Studio Arts, Native American Art History and Computer Science; graduate degrees in Creative Writing, Studio Arts and Cultural Administration; and certificates in Broadcast Journalism, Business and Entrepreneurship, Museum Studies, and Native American Art History. 

The college serves approximately 700 full-time equivalent (FTE) Native and non-Native American students from 35 states and around the globe, representing nearly 100 federally recognized tribes. IAIA has graduated more than 4,000 students, representing more than 90% of the 562 federally recognized tribes. Supporting the student body includes over 100 faculty and staff members who share their knowledge and experiences. Often artists themselves, the expertise and technical prowess faculty and staff bring daily to campus are essential ingredients in IAIA’s ability to meet its mission.

Ben Tobin is leading this search with Becky Piper. 

IAIA has a policy of equal opportunity in education, activities, admissions, scholarships, and employment. IAIA complies with all federal regulations relating to non-discrimination based upon sex, race, religion, or disability. Under Public Law 99-498, IAIA applies American Indian preference in hiring. IAIA does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or national or ethnic background in its admissions or educational policies, financial aid, employment, or in accordance of rights, privileges, and activities generally made available at this educational institution.