IAIA Breaks Ground on New Performing Arts and Fitness Center

Excitement and hope for a bright future abounded at the Institute of American Indian Arts campus Wednesday evening when the college held its annual Open House prior to the Ground Breaking Ceremony for the new Performing Arts and Fitness Center. Staff, students and the local community who toured the campus had the opportunity to witness a bronze casting and view student artwork before gathering around the future site of the new Performing Arts and Fitness Center. Also in attendance were the Board of Trustees, Senator Tom Udall, and Royal Dá of KOAT.

A student performance opened the groundbreaking ceremony, followed by remarks from Dr. Martin, President of IAIA and Loren Kieve, Chair of the Board of Trustees. Both spoke of the years of hard work leading to the development of the campus, culminating in this most recent project. The new center will advance IAIA’s mission to provide a holistic education, and will allow the college to offer a BFA in Performing Arts.

KOAT’s Royale Dá hosted the ceremony. “It gives me hope,” she told the crowd.

Senator Tom Udall echoed her statement. “It’s a real public-private partnership. It’s going to be a wonderful thing to see it completed.”

The newest addition to the IAIA campus will be located adjacent to the residence center, and near the Lloyd Kiva New Welcome Center, and will provide space for the Health/Fitness and Performing Arts programs. The performing arts wing of the building will include a black box theater, studio spaces, dressing rooms, and a green room. The health/fitness component will include a gymnasium and fitness room. The new building has been designed within the master plan concept and will be connected to the rest of campus with indoor and outdoor spaces.

The IAIA Performing Arts and Fitness Center was designed in partnership with: Chavez-Grieves Consulting Engineers, ArSed Engineering Group, Allied Engineering, Bohannan Huston, and Coleman and Associates. PBI is the Owner’s Representative, and the project is being constructed by Jaynes Corporation.

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