04/04/2026
The Trump Administration released its Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 budget proposal on Friday, April 3, 2026, calling for the elimination of federal operating funding for the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA). IAIA’s Board of Trustees and administration strongly oppose this proposal as reckless and inconsistent with the federal government’s treaty obligations, Trust responsibility, and its longstanding commitment to IAIA and American Indian and Alaska Native higher education.
If enacted, the President’s proposal would reduce IAIA’s annual federal appropriation from $13.482 million to zero, beginning with its next appropriation. This would devastate IAIA’s ability to sustain its academic programs, student support services, and day-to-day operations—placing at risk an institution that has served as an international center for contemporary Indigenous arts and cultural leadership for more than six decades.
“IAIA exists because Native artists, Native communities, and Congress recognized that Indigenous creativity and cultural knowledge are vital to this country,” said IAIA President Dr. Shelly C. Lowe (Navajo). “Eliminating IAIA’s federal appropriation will weaken educational opportunity, threaten the development of future Indigenous artists and leaders, and severely undermine a mission that Congress has supported for decades. We urge Congress to reject this proposal and support IAIA in FY 2027 at $14.1 million.”
Congress Has Rejected Similar Proposals Previously:
This is not the first time the current Administration has targeted IAIA’s appropriation. In FY 2026, the Trump Administration proposed eliminating IAIA’s operating funding, but Congress rejected the proposal and approved level funding at $13.482 million. This action reflects continued bipartisan recognition of IAIA’s national significance and mission. IAIA is calling on Congress to once again reject the administration’s proposal and ensure stable funding for FY 2027.
IAIA’s Authorization and Federal Commitment:
IAIA’s federal appropriation is rooted in Public Law 99-498, which Congress enacted in 1986 to solidify IAIA’s unique role in higher education and the arts. Eliminating IAIA’s appropriation would represent the first time in nearly four decades that IAIA would be denied federal operating support under its longstanding statutory framework.
IAIA’s Impact:
Founded in 1962, IAIA is widely recognized as the birthplace of contemporary Native arts and the only institution in the country dedicated to higher education grounded in Indigenous arts and cultures. More than 4,000 graduates have advanced opportunities to share Indigenous cultures, histories, and stories through the arts, filmmaking, creative writing, scholarship, museum and cultural work, performing arts, and leadership—strengthening communities and contributing to the cultural and creative economy of New Mexico and the nation.
“The strength of IAIA is our students—present and future—who carry Indigenous knowledge forward through creative practice, critical thinking, and cultural responsibility,” Dr. Lowe added. “We are resilient and mission-focused, and we will work with our partners and supporters to ensure Congress protects IAIA’s funding for FY 2027 and beyond.”
IAIA will continue engaging with the Congressional Appropriations Committees, our New Mexico Congressional delegation, the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC), and other Indigenous organizations and allies to advocate for continued federal support and to ensure IAIA’s voices and priorities are heard throughout the appropriations process.
How You Can Help:
You can help ensure continued federal support for the Institute of American Indian Arts. At this critical time, please reach out to members of New Mexico’s Congressional delegation to express your support for IAIA and to emphasize the importance of their leadership.
Contact the New Mexico Congressional Delegation
Senator Martin Heinrich: (202) 224-5521
Senator Ben Ray Luján: (202) 224-6621
Representative Teresa Leger Fernández: (202) 225-6190
Representative Melanie Stansbury: (202) 225-6316
Representative Gabe Vasquez: (575) 323-6390
Sample Message:
“As a constituent, I deeply value the work of the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I was alarmed to learn that the Trump Administration’s fiscal year 2027 budget proposal calls for eliminating IAIA’s federal funding. If enacted, this will jeopardize the future of IAIA, which is the center for contemporary American Indian and Alaska Native arts and cultures.
I urge you to lead the effort in Congress to fund IAIA at $14.1 million in FY 2027. Please work with the leadership of the House and Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittees and full Committees to support IAIA in FY 2027 and beyond. Thank you.”
Your voice matters—thank you for helping protect IAIA’s future.
Photograph by Jason S. Ordaz, Institute of American Indian Arts.
https://iaia.edu/trump-administration-again-targets-iaia-funding-in-fy-2027-budget-proposal/
