Catch up on some of the top art news headlines in the southwest region over the last month, including people on the move, grants, and more.
News
Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) is now approved to offer MFA degrees in Studio Arts.
The Higher Learning Commission, IAIA’s accrediting organization, approved the school’s application to launch an MFA program in Studio Arts. The change is effective immediately, and students may begin to apply for the degree program soon. Studio Arts has been the primary focus of IAIA’s academic programs for more than fifty years.
The IAIA MFA in Studio Arts program will be a low-residency program with two intensive on-campus residency periods per year (Summer and Winter) on the IAIA campus in Santa Fe. Students will also be paired with a Master Artist Mentor to work with virtually throughout the semester and attend a series of online Art History courses.
Students can graduate with a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Studio Arts with the following areas of emphasis: Integrated Practice, Studio Arts 2D Practice, and Studio Arts 3D Practice.
Vital Spaces announced upcoming expansion into the Fashion Outlets Santa Fe.
Vital Spaces, a Santa Fe-based nonprofit organization that works to create affordable studio spaces for artists, announced that they have signed a lease with the Fashion Outlets Santa Fe. Three-thousand square feet of currently vacant space will be occupied by Vital Spaces to provide affordable studio, exhibition, and performance space for Santa Fe artists. By securing this lease, Vital Spaces now provides access to affordable studio spaces in three distinct Santa Fe neighborhoods: downtown, midtown, and the southside. The public spaces in the building are also available to rent for workshops, meetings, or events.
Creative Santa Fe announced the organization will move into an inactive state effective November 1, 2020.
Because of the economic and logistical challenges attendant to COVID-19, the organization will become dormant. The board of directors will take this time to assess the developing new environment for non-profits, and to assess if and how Creative Santa Fe can help the community move forward in the future.
Grants and Awards
Jenn Shapland, a Santa Fe-based writer (and Southwest Contemporary contributor), is one of the twenty-five finalists for the 2020 National Book Awards.
Shapland is one of five finalists for Nonfiction for her debut book My Autobiography of Carson McCullers (Tin House Books) published in February. You can attend a free virtual reading with the finalists on Tuesday, November 10, 5 pm MT/7 pm ET, and attend the virtual awards ceremony on Wednesday, November 18, 5 pm MT/7 pm ET.
The Museum of Indian Arts & Culture announced that Robert Whitehair Begay (Navajo) has been awarded the 2020-2021 Goodman Aspiring Artist Fellowship.
The 17-year-old artist from Gallup will use funds from the fellowship to purchase new tools and equipment, along with stones and silver. Begay is noted as a gifted individual who shows promise as a next-generation Navajo jewelry artist. With his parents, Darryl and Rebecca Begay being award-winning Navajo jewelry artists, he has grown up in the Native art world surrounded by silversmithing, tufa casting, and stone inlay. Robert learned the basic techniques of working with silver from his father and drawing skills from his mother.
Art Matters announced the recipients of its 2020 grants.
The Foundation awarded thirty-seven fellowships of $5,000 each to individual artists and collective teams working in contemporary art and performance. Among the grantees are Southwest-based artists Jacob A. Meders (Phoenix, AZ), and Lady Shug (Diné) (Navajo Nation).
In addition to grants to individuals, earlier this year in response to the impact of the pandemic on artists and their communities, Art Matters gave $40,000 in COVID-19 relief funds to support eight artist-led mutual aid efforts, including two Southwest-based projects: Indigenous Action (Flagstaff, AZ) and New Mexico Craft Responders (Albuquerque, NM).
Leadership Changes and Appointments
Heather A. Reed was named the executive director at Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces.
She replaces Mark Santiago, who retired from the position in July 2020. As executive director at Farm & Ranch, Reed will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the museum and its programs, as well as establishing a long-term strategic vision. With a staff of twenty-five, she will oversee the development of exhibitions, educational programs, and public events. Reporting to the DCA Cabinet Secretary, Reed will work with the Governor-appointed board as well as Friends of the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum, coordinating policy and fundraising initiatives.
Founded in 1998, the Farm & Ranch Museum brings to life the 4000-year history of farming and ranching in New Mexico across a campus that spans forty-seven acres.
