The Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new IAIA Performing Arts and Fitness Center. Hosted by KOAT’s Royale Dá, the event was a great success, and featured moving comments by many of the attendees, including U.S. Senator Tom Udall of New Mexico. The new center will house a basketball court, black-box theater, cardio and weight room, and much more.

“The building will be 23,000 square feet in size and feature a block box theatre, a rehearsal studio, a green room, a costume shop, a large multi-purpose classroom/studio space, a regulation gymnasium with hardwood basketball court, locker rooms, and a new fitness center,” stated Robert Martin, president of IAIA. “In keeping with our commitment to sustainability, the building will incorporate large windows for natural lighting and LED interior lights and solar energy to the extent that is economically feasible.”

Martin further noted that the new facility was identified as a priority in IAIA’s campus master plan. “The unique design of the building will enable IAIA to deliver two very important programs to our students under one roof, maximizing construction dollars and taking advantage of shared building resources,” he said, adding, “As many of you know, performing arts was a thriving program at IAIA before being eliminated in the 90s due to severe federal budget reductions. There is strong demand for the program and we believe IAIA is best positioned to fill that need.”

IAIA seeks to create a Bachelor of Fine Arts program in performing arts that will have a strong Native orientation. The college also is seeking to stress the importance of the student body’s health and wellness. “Given the high rates of obesity and diabetes among Native American communities, we hope that by promoting fitness and wellness among our students at IAIA, healthy living patterns will be sustained for a lifetime,” Martin stated.