Golga Oscar (Yup’ik) ‘20 and Melissa Shaginoff (Ahtna and Paiute) ’15 at the inaugural IAIA President’s Circle event

On May 23, 2023, the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) Office of Advancement and the IAIA Foundation hosted its inaugural President’s Circle event at the Museum of International Folk Art (MoIFA) for a private viewing of Ghhúunayúkata / To Keep Them Warm: The Alaska Native Parka. Before previewing the exhibition, longtime supporters and new friends of IAIA enjoyed updates by IAIA President Dr. Robert Martin (Cherokee Nation), an exhibition overview by exhibition co-curator and IAIA alum Melissa Shaginoff (Ahtna and Paiute) ’15, and an Alaska Native song by Golga Oscar (Yup’ik) ‘20.

The IAIA President’s Circle is a passionate community dedicated to advancing the mission of IAIA and is comprised of supporters who make an annual unrestricted gift of $2,500 or more to provide essential support for IAIA’s highest priorities. The annual unrestricted support from President’s Circle members helps IAIA achieve its mission to empower creativity and leadership in Indigenous arts and cultures through higher education, lifelong learning, and community engagement.

IAIA President’s Circle levels are available as follows: Fellow ($2,500–$4,999), Patron ($5,000-$9,999), and Partner ($10,000+). Please see our website for a complete list of coinciding IAIA President’s Circle benefits.

2023 IAIA Benefit and Auction

On August 16, join us for our annual IAIA Benefit & Auction at La Fonda on the Plaza from 5:00–9:30 pm (MST), where we will celebrate IAIA’s work, honor the history of our community, and raise scholarship support for our Indigenous students. IAIA is the only college in the world dedicated to the study of contemporary Indigenous arts, cultures, and leadership. With a student body representing nearly 100 different Tribal Nations, IAIA is a community like no other. Nevertheless, obtaining a college degree remains a challenge. Native Americans are the least represented in higher education in the United States, with only 16% of Native people holding a bachelor’s degree. One of the largest barriers Indigenous students face is the cost of a higher education.

At IAIA, over 90% of our students rely on scholarships to make their college dreams a reality. Your generous support of the IAIA Benefit & Auction—as a sponsor, donor, or attendee—helps IAIA students complete their education while developing the confidence and leadership skills to achieve their goals.

Please see our website for a complete list of coinciding sponsor benefits. Individual tickets to the 2023 IAIA Benefit & Auction are $500 ($350 per ticket is tax-deductible).

For more information about the event, sponsorship opportunities, and deadlines to ensure recognition and full benefits, please contact Zoe Robb, Advancement Services Manager, at (505) 424-5730 or email zoe.robb@iaia.edu.

The IAIA Foundation was founded in 2010 to expand IAIA’s capacity to raise critically needed funds to strengthen student success, enrich academic programs, support museum exhibitions, and keep IAIA at the forefront of educational offerings. The IAIA Foundation is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization, EIN #32-0377684.