Supporters of the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) gathered recently at the La Terraza rooftop venue and in the Lumpkins Ballroom at La Fonda on the plaza in Santa Fe, New Mexico, for the Scholarships Shape Futures—2025 IAIA Benefit and Auction.

The sold-out event, attended by almost 350 people, grossed over $1.2 million in donations, art purchases, ticket sales, and pledges—all of which benefit student scholarships and IAIA’s mission “to empower creativity and leadership in Indigenous arts and cultures through higher education, lifelong learning, and community engagement.”

The evening began with cocktails at La Terraza, where notable Indigenous creatives and allies mixed amongst displays of silent auction artwork donated by IAIA alumni and supporters. Guests included Zahn McClarnon (Hunkpapa Lakota), Kiowa Gordon (Hualapai Tribe of Northern Arizona), Jhane Myers (Comanche and Blackfeet), Chris Eyre (Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma), the Honorable Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo), and Royale Dá (San Ildefonso Pueblo and Pecos), among others.

Leadership from event sponsors such as AMC+, Ralph Lauren, Walt Disney Imagineering, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Beck & Bulow, La Fonda on the Plaza, and Toyota of Santa Fe were also in attendance. The benefit and auction was hosted by Emcees Royale Dá of KOAT and IAIA alumnus Jaime T. Herrell (Cherokee Nation and European).

IAIA board of trustees chair Beverly Wright-Morris (Unangax̂) took the podium to begin the proceedings. “Your presence here tonight directly supports the success of our students, tomorrow’s artists, scholars, and leaders,” she told the assembled crowd, then introduced IAIA’s new president Dr. Shelly C. Lowe (Navajo).

Greeting the audience, Dr. Lowe said, “I am so honored to be here tonight, stepping into this role as President of the Institute of American Indian Arts.” Encouraging the crowd to bid generously in support of IAIA scholarships, she quoted Byron Graves (Ojibwe and Lakota), the author of Rez Ball, who said in the book’s afternotes, “Be grateful for what we do have, but don’t be afraid to go after more.”

Performances by violinist Geneviève Gros-Louis (Huron-Wendat Nation) and IAIA student Breana Brave Heart (Oglala Lakota and Northern Cheyenne) were a highlight of the pre-auction events. Other speakers included Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández and IAIA President Emeritus Dr. Robert Martin (Cherokee Nation).

After introductions and entertainment, IAIA alumnus James Rutherford took the auctioneer’s gavel. Over $260,000 was raised in art sales, and during the paddle raise, over $565,000 was raised. The evening’s total, including donations and sponsorship from the silent auction, was over $1.2 million.

Michael Petit, chair, IAIA Foundation, said, “The IAIA Foundation board of directors joins with IAIA alumni, other Native artists, and many dedicated scholarship donors to support student access and success at IAIA, where the opportunity for excellence leads Indigenous education into the future.”

“We are deeply grateful for the support our community has given to the Scholarships Shape Futures—2025 IAIA Benefit and Auction,” said Dr. Lowe. “In giving so generously, our supporters continue to assist us in reaching our goal to graduate students from IAIA debt free. They are also helping to make possible the next generation of Indigenous creative leaders, those who will carry our ancestors’ visions and dreams forward. Ahéhee.”