On Wednesday, November 29, 2023, the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) affirmed its commitment to its students and connections to the community at large at the groundbreaking ceremony for IAIA’s new Mixed-Use Housing Facility on the IAIA campus, which will include flexible student housing spaces, two integrated studios, common areas, and an office space.

The Los Alamos Daily Post picked up IAIA’s press release for their paper, and The Santa Fe New Mexican interviewed IAIA President Dr. Robert Martin (Cherokee Nation) and Vice President of Operations Larry Mirabal for the article “IAIA starts construction on new student housing” in advance of the event. The groundbreaking was also covered by radio station KSFR and TV stations KOAT and KRQE—the latter station interviewed IAIA Vice President of Operations Larry Mirabal prior to the event.

At the ceremony, Mirabal spoke on behalf of Dr. Martin. Mirabal welcomed attendees and distinguished guests and thanked everyone involved in the construction project and groundbreaking ceremony. IAIA Land-Grant Gardener Paul Quintana (Cochiti Pueblo) gave a prayer in the Keres language and acknowledged that IAIA is on the traditional Puebloan lands of the Tanoan- and Keres-speaking Peoples. Mirabal shared information about the Mixed-Use Housing Facility and invited guest speakers to give remarks.

IAIA Board of Trustees member JoAnn Balzer spoke first. “I’ve been involved with IAIA on this campus since its very beginning here,” she revealed. “There was absolutely nothing here. There were no roads, there were no buildings, and of course, there were no students. And so that afforded me a unique opportunity to follow IAIA’s journey—its full journey to where it is flourishing here on this campus today—and just about to get better, right, Larry? And it is just so amazing, because the Institute of American Indian Arts is now the most important educational institution for Native American artists anywhere, and its reputation is still growing—growing up and up.”

The City of Santa Fe extended its support through Santa Fe City Councilor Jamie Cassatt-Sanchez. “I don’t think I have to tell any of you here how important art is, but I’m going to anyway,” said Cassatt-Sanchez. “The City of Santa Fe really values art. It is what we are built on. It is one of our crucial economic drivers, of course, but it really does serve to continue to bring out our heritage and our culture and all the beauty and inspiration that come from art. The importance of IAIA in the city of Santa Fe and in the state of New Mexico cannot be understated. When I’ve been looking at what’s been happening in the world, both locally as well as across the globe. I do think about how crucial it is that we continue to cultivate beauty and inspiration and history, and how that history continues to move us forward. Art makes us think. It brings us joy. It brings us comfort. It can bring us to tears. But it is incredibly important. And so, for this institution to be supporting these artists, these artists who are flourishing and will be bringing that work into the world, is incredibly crucial.”

Derrick Toledo (Jemez Pueblo), Field Representative for Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez, spoke on her behalf. “While the congresswoman can’t be in person, you know, she has an affinity for the arts, and with that, the beautiful and astounding place that is the Institute of American Indian Arts,” shared Toledo. “She sends me here with her love because we cannot miss opportunities like this to spend time together. Every time we get an invite to IAIA, we plan and coordinate for the congresswoman until the very last minute to see if we can get her here. Even as unpredictable as DC is, being around your constituents, your friends, and family matter. That unique northern New Mexico feeling of home is unmistakable. Congressman Leger Fernandez knows the importance of the arts and how they help us celebrate our communities, our cultures, and our identities. She has been a strong champion for arts in Congress and has been proud to support and vote for increases in IAIA’s federal funding, including over 6 million through the American Rescue Plan. Additionally, the congresswoman has been involved with a number of locally relevant issues, especially as it pertains to our natural resources, our communities, our families, our education.”

Eric Chavez, Field Representative for Senator Ben Ray Luján, shared words from Luján. “This housing facility will open up brand-new opportunities for IAIA students, helping them and their families access the supportive housing they need to continue their education. I want to start by congratulating the Institute of American Indian Arts President Robert Martin, Vice President Larry Mirabal, and the IAIA Board of Trustees for your continued leadership and commitment to expanding housing opportunities for our students. I also want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the City of Santa Fe and City Councilor Jaime Cassatt for your support to increase access to housing throughout the city. It’s an honor to be a part of this groundbreaking ceremony and to see IAIA taking strides to develop this critical infrastructure in this community. Students and their families already struggle to access housing. That is why projects like this are so very critical to our communities across New Mexico and the Nation. This is an example of what we can achieve together, bringing both federal US Department of Education and the US Bureau of Indian Education Funding and private donations together. It takes everyone, and I’m proud to work with you all to continue the growth of IAIA. With these investments in the new mixed-use housing facility, it will help construct a new 18,000-square-foot housing facility that will have 13 units with two artist studios measuring a combined 3000 square feet. Not only will it house families on campus, it will also increase access to student resources, which are critical.”

Jason Morgan, the Principal of the Academy for Technology and the Classics (ATC), located across the road from the IAIA campus, expressed appreciation for the relationship between the two schools. “A central challenge we face as educators is to balance students’ appreciation of their shared heritage and learning from what was, while also fostering their own creativity and innovation for what is to come,” shared Morgan. “ATC has a deep sense of gratitude for the elegance with which our friends here at IAIA strike that balance. Perhaps the most popular dual credit course ATC students have taken is IAIA’s ethnobotany class, a terrific example of learning that utilizes traditional knowledge to improve and enhance science and ecology. As our two campuses have grown, so too has our reciprocal partnership. For ATC students, IAIA is both a place for cool classes like ethnobotany, creative writing, and film, but equally important, it’s a place of safety. It’s where our students evacuate to, in an emergency situation. And we are glad to be that same safe haven for IAIA students should you ever need to evacuate this beautiful new building in an emergency…As an AP for All school, our students take a lot of Advanced Placement exams, and I can say with certainty that our students have taken a lot more AP tests at IAIA than they have in our own classrooms. The Hogan is like a second home come May. IAIA has hosted high school dances, sports banquets, and even our August staff professional development for teachers. This generosity and open arms we have experienced here is an extension and reflection of IAIA’s mindset and mission for its academic programs, and we are all better for it…IAIA is a fabulous learning community, and the best neighbors ATC could hope to have. Thank you.”

Following the speeches, dignitaries came forward to turn dirt on the site with red IAIA-branded shovels, including IAIA Vice President of Operations Larry Mirabal, IAIA Trustee Rose B. Simpson (Santa Clara Pueblo) ’07 and ’18, Santa Fe City Councilor Jamie Cassatt-Sanchez, IAIA Trustee JoAnn Balzer, ATC Principal Jason Morgan, Field Representative Derrick Toledo, Field Representative Jasmine Yepa (Jemez) (on behalf of US Senator Martin Heinrich), Field Representative Eric Chavez, and IAIA Facilities Director Vincent Kaniatobe (San Ildefonso Pueblo). Bon Appétit Café catered light refreshments in the Student Union Building.

For more information, please contact Jason S. Ordaz, Director of Communications, at jason.ordaz@iaia.edu or (505) 424-2348.

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