Making History, Cara Romero (Chemehuevi Indian Tribe) ’03; the photograph was made at the Coe Center’s Project Space Building. Courtesy/IAIA
IAIA News:
The Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) is honored to announce that the Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts (Coe Center) will transfer its physical campus building at 1590 Pacheco Street B, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, to IAIA during the week of Dec. 15, 2025. This transformative gift is part of the Coe Center’s visionary Rehoming Program, created to ensure the long-term stewardship and purposeful use of the Center’s physical and programmatic resources.
In addition to the campus, a substantial grant will accompany the transfer to support the upgrading, maintenance, and care of the buildings and property. The grant amount will be announced in Fall 2025 and is part of a broader funding program in support of Rehoming Program participants.
IAIA President Dr. Shelly C. Lowe (Navajo) said, “We are extremely grateful for this generous gift from the Coe Center which will impact our students, faculty, and staff in positive and supportive ways for years to come. This historic gift will deepen IAIA’s roots within the Santa Fe community while expanding our reach and impact globally. It ensures that the Coe Center’s legacy will continue to thrive in service to future generations of Indigenous artists, scholars, and cultural leaders.”
A primary use of the Coe Campus will be as IAIA’s Master of Fine Arts campus, supporting our expanding graduate programs with dedicated offices, classrooms, and exhibition space. Additional uses of the gift will include support for IAIA’s Cinematic Arts and Technology program, Artist-in-Residence opportunities, and a teaching collection to prepare Indigenous students to preserve, protect, and perpetuate their artistic and cultural heritages.
The IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts (MoCNA) will receive a portion of the Coe Art Collection, which will be accessioned into their collection. The IAIA Academic division will also receive any remaining art after all other rehoming is complete. This art will be added to the teaching collection housed both at the Coe and on the main campus.
“We are honored to steward the Coe Campus and carry forward its legacy of celebrating Indigenous arts and cultures. This gift is a living testament to the Coe Center’s vision, and we look forward to shaping it into a vibrant space for creativity, learning, and connection for generations to come,” Felipe J. Estudillo Colón (Laguna Pueblo) said, IAIA Provost and Chair of the Native American Art History program.
The Coe Center’s decision to rehome its campus and resources to IAIA reflects a shared commitment to Indigenous education, artistic innovation, and community engagement. Founded in honor of curator and collector Ralph T. Coe (1929–2010), the Coe Center has served as a hub for Indigenous creative expression and intercultural dialogue. Since its establishment, the Center has prioritized relationships over transactions, collaborating closely with Indigenous artists and cultural practitioners to host exhibitions, artist residencies, internships, and community programs. Its collection of over 2,500 Indigenous artworks from around the globe has served as a catalyst for learning and connection across generations.