Santa Fe Indian Market

In addition, hundreds of gallery openings, art shows and related events take place during the weekend of Indian Market and during the two weeks immediately preceding it. Indian art collectors and artists from around the world make the pilgrimage to Santa Fe.

• It is the largest Native American Indian Market in the world.
• Over 1200 artists are represented in over 600 booths.

The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts runs and plans this annual event. It has an experienced committee that screens artist entries for quality and authenticity. SWAIA also has art experts who conduct on-site inspections of all artist booths during Market to ensure that quality standards are maintained.

The Santa Fe Indian Market Awards Program brings art experts and collectors to Santa Fe to judge more than 1,200 artist entries and distribute over $60,000 in prize money in numerous categories to SWAIA Santa Fe Indian Market artists. Awards are given to recognize an artist's dedication and skill in working with traditional materials and techniques. The ability to experiment with new media and art forms is also recognized. These awards given at the Santa Fe Indian Market sets the standard of quality and innovation for American Indian art around the world. Award winners gain prestige in the art world. Art collectors look to the program to guide them to what will be "hot" at the Santa Fe Indian Market the next day.

Today's SWAIA Santa Fe Indian Market is the outgrowth of a series of remarkable people and events. It all started with the Museum of New Mexico and a group of remarkable women who formed themselves into a political action organization to establish and protect human rights for New Mexico's Indian population.

In 1922 the Indian Fair was created by the Museum of New Mexico as part of the Santa Fe Fiesta celebration. The Museum continued to sponsor the Indian Fair until 1926. In 1936 the New Mexico Association on Indian Affairs took over the event. It was also in 1922 that the New Mexico Association on Indian Affairs (NMAIA) was founded to help fight the U.S. Senate's proposed Bursum Bill, which would have illegally given an enormous amount of Pueblo land to Spanish and American squatters.

This year there are many events surrounding the Indian Market. From benefits and receptions to previews of the award winning works of contributing artists. There is also a section of the market itself representing the Native American Youth.

If you ever plan a trip to Santa Fe you will have to plan it at least once in August to see this great spectacle of history, beauty, achievement and pride of the Native American Indian's work.

Eileen Richardson, The Santa Fe Site

To learn more about Indian Market and for a Schedule of Events visit www.swaia.org/market.php

Southwestern Association for Indian Arts, Inc. (SWAIA)
PO Box 969
Santa Fe, NM 87504-0969

Phone: 505.983.5220
Fax: 505.983.7647
E-mail: info@swaia.org
For questions about volunteering, E-mail: volunteer@swaia.org