- Details
- By Chez Oxendine
- Higher Education
A bipartisan spending bill passed by Congress this month preserves federal funding for the Institute of American Indian Arts after the Trump administration proposed eliminating the school’s annual appropriation.
Lawmakers approved roughly $13.5 million for IAIA in fiscal year 2026 as part of H.R. 6938, or the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act. The House advanced the measure on Jan. 8 in a 397–28 vote, with the Senate following suit on Jan. 15.
The appropriation maintains IAIA’s current funding level and signals continued congressional backing for the Santa Fe, N.M.‑based institution, which serves Native students from across the country, despite a bid by President Trump to zero out money for the school in his proposed 2026 budget.
The funding supports academic programs, student services, and day‑to‑day operations, providing stability after months of uncertainty, per an IAIA news release.
“This bipartisan funding provides critical stability for our students and for the faculty and staff who support them,” IAIA President Dr. Shelly C. Lowe said in a statement. “[It acknowledges] the enduring value of Native artists and cultural knowledge in this country.”
Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) pushed to retain IAIA’s funding. In a statement, Fernández called the vote a “rejection” of the administration’s proposal to eliminate support for the institution.
“President Trump proposed eliminating IAIA’s funding — let’s repeat that — he proposed zero funding,” Fernández said. “Pushing back against such an extreme attack, Democrats and Republicans came together last week to support Native artists, preserve Indigenous culture and make sure these stories are carried forward for generations.”
The outcome marks a reaffirmation of IAIA’s place in the federal trust responsibility and a recognition of its decades‑long contribution to Native arts, culture and leadership development, the institution wrote.
“This moment reflects the resilience and legacy of IAIA and the enduring commitment of the IAIA community to carry Indigenous creativity, knowledge, and culture forward for generations,” the release states.
