Santa Fe Indian Market, Santa Fe

Santa Fe Indian Market®

Southwestern Association for Indian Arts

95th Annual Santa Fe Indian Market® - August 20-21, 2016

The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) produces the Santa Fe Indian Market®, the largest cultural event in New Mexico, which attracts 150,000 visitors to Santa Fe annually. For 94 years, the Indian Market has been the source for authentic Native artwork and an educational resource for Native art and culture. Additionally, the Indian Market® has provided a vehicle of personal and cultural sustainability for Native artists. It is an opportunity for Native people to represent themselves to the world, build lasting relationships,and positively affecting and redefining Native identity. SWAIA is continually expanding its educational programs to encompass a broader landscape of Native expression. It has developed yearlong programs in literature, film and visual arts, which provide greater opportunities for Native artists.

Indian Market is the only arts festival in the nation that features over 1000 Native artists in one place every year. Enormous economic opportunities are provided to participating artists as 1/3-1/2 of their yearly income is made at this event; SWAIA keeps no portion of the sales. There is no other show of the same size, scale, and focus as the Santa Fe Indian Market®. This show has provided a launching place for literally thousands of Native artists, and is the only place where both traditional as well as contemporary art forms made by Native people have been documented and promoted.

The artists at Indian Market® represent more than 130 tribes from across the US and Canada. Visitors learn about Native art and culture by having the unique opportunity to talk directly with artists at their booths.

At the Preview of Award Winning Art, thousands of visitors view art pieces that have just been honored with awards. To ensure the quality of the artwork being sold by artists, SWAIA drafts and maintains standards to ensure that only original art is sold. The awards program is one of the first of its kind to recognize modern Native American art forms, while preserving traditional methods, as well. The concept, design, and presentation of the Santa Fe Indian Market® has worked for many years, and, in fact, has heavily influenced all other Native art markets in the United States. The Market's location on the Santa Fe Plaza lends itself to a rich visitor experience as many savor the opportunity to walk in a historic city while taking in the artistry of the country's original inhabitants.

The Southwest Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) is a nonprofit organization that produces the Santa Fe Indian Market®.

SWAIA .

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