3 days ago
Santa Fe college in jeopardy of losing federal funding
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – Everything from national parks to education is facing significant cuts in federal funding, which includes a New Mexico college that claims these cuts could lead to its closure.
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For 63 years, the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe has been supporting Native American artists and creatives. The institute currently has around 1,000 students and about 140 staff members. However, the president of the college, Robert Martin, stated that President Trump is attempting to erase six decades of progress. 'It is a little disconcerting and stressful, especially for our faculty, staff, and students, to hear that the president of the United States has proposed eliminating our budget,' Martin said.
Martin explained that President Trump's 2026 budget proposal suggests cutting all federal funding for IAIA starting in October. 'Our funding is typically between $17 million and $18 million a year, with about $13.5 million coming from core operational funding provided by the federal government. This means that approximately 75% of our budget relies on federal support,' he said.
So far, Martin said they have not received an explanation for the proposed cuts, stating, 'They just said they are eliminating funding for the Institute of American Indian Arts, with no justification whatsoever.' He added that if the cuts go through, it could force the institute to shut down.
Currently, the institute is seeking support from New Mexico's Congressional delegation. 'We're trying to be strategic and coordinate our efforts in advocating for our budget,' Martin said.
For more information about the Institute of American Indian Arts and how you can help, you can follow the link here.
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