2026 IAIA Open House

The Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) and Santa Fe Community College (SFCC) will partner for the fifth consecutive year to host their open house events on the same day, Thursday, September 17, 2026. SFCC’s event will take place from 10 am–2 pm at 6401 Richards Avenue, and IAIA’s Open House will follow from 1–5 pm at 83 Avan Nu Po Road. The institutions invite the community to visit both campuses, located only a six-minute drive or an 11-minute bicycle ride apart.
The two-campus event will showcase creativity and innovation through art demonstrations, exhibitions, campus tours, and other opportunities to explore each institution.
The annual free open house gives everyone an opportunity to learn more about SFCC and IAIA. Visitors learn about their missions, programs, and offerings directly from students, staff, and faculty. Last year, the joint open house events welcomed approximately 750 visitors to each campus.
SFCC Open House, 10 am to 2 pm, 6401 Richards Ave., 87508
SFCC’s Open House runs from 10 am to 2 pm. Tour art studios and watch demonstrations of jewelry making, ceramics, photo tintypes, and printmaking in the Courtyard. Shop at the “Garage Sale” offered by Friends of the Arts. Check out demonstrations at the Science on Sphere® Theater and visit with representatives from the Health and Science programs. Sign up for tours of the Greenhouse and get free produce grown at SFCC. Visit the film studio. Enjoy the music by DJ Manny Godsey while eating a barbecue-style lunch. Visit information tables for the various college programs. Stop by the Automotive Technology Center and check out the new electric vehicle trainer. The William C. Witter Fitness Education Center will have free day passes and class demonstrations from 10 am to 2 pm.
IAIA Open House, 1 to 5 pm, 83 Avan Nu Po Road, 87508
IAIA’s Open House takes place from 1–5 pm. Attendees can begin at the welcome table, where they can sign up for guided campus tours and learn more about the day’s activities. Throughout the Academic Building, visitors can experience demonstrations in IAIA’s studios and explore open studios hosted by artists in the IAIA Artist-in-Residence Program. In the Ells Science and Technology Building, guests can also see IAIA’s one-of-a-kind, fully articulating Digital Dome.
Across IAIA campus, visitors will have opportunities to connect with students, faculty, staff, and academic programs while learning more about IAIA’s creative spaces and student experience. Free appetizers and refreshments, including vegetarian options, will be available in the Dance Circle.
IAIA invites the public to attend the second annual joint Faculty and Staff exhibition opening in the Balzer Contemporary Edge Gallery during Open House. The exhibition will be open beginning at 1 pm on Thursday, September 17, on the IAIA campus, offering visitors another opportunity to experience the creative work from SFCC and IAIA.
Look out for more details in the coming weeks as SFCC and IAIA finalize plans for these side-by-side, all-ages events. To explore IAIA’s schedule, updates, and highlights from the previous Open House, visit the IAIA Open House web page. For information about SFCC’s Open House, visit the SFCC Open House web page. Full schedules will be available the week of the events.
https://iaia.edu/about/2026-iaia-open-house/