The Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) has announced a new collaboration with the Santa Fe Art Institute through the Transatlantic Rising Stars Project, a three-year initiative led by the European Union Delegation to the United States. Known as Transatlantic Stars, the program brings together artists from the European Union and the United States to foster cross-cultural exchange and creative collaboration. The 2026 Santa Fe residency will pair Spanish artist Jorge Mañes Rubio with IAIA-affiliated artist Hollis Chitto (Choctaw and Laguna Pueblo).
The eight-week residency, scheduled for April through May 2026 in Santa Fe, is rooted in reciprocity, cultural respect, and shared artistic practice. It will culminate in a public exhibition in Washington, D.C. in June 2026. As the lead host site, SFAI will provide housing, studio space, and professional development support, while also connecting the artists with the local creative community. IAIA will contribute access to its contemporary Native arts resources, including museum and archive collections, as well as its network of Indigenous artists.
IAIA President Shelly C. Lowe emphasized the significance of the collaboration, saying it reflects the institution’s commitment to Indigenous creative excellence and meaningful cultural exchange. “By bringing together artists from the European Union and Indigenous artists of the Southwest, the Transatlantic Rising Stars Project creates space for dialogue, research, and creative practice grounded in reciprocity and respect,” Lowe said. A key component of the residency is the pairing of a European artist with an Indigenous artist who provides cultural and creative guidance, helping ensure engagement with Native communities is respectful and non-extractive.
Artists will also have access to MAKE Santa Fe, a community makerspace offering tools such as wood and metal shops, ceramics, and digital fabrication technologies. Participants are expected to engage the public through exhibitions, talks, or performances developed in collaboration with IAIA and SFAI. SFAI Executive Director Toccarra Thomas said the partnership strengthens Santa Fe’s role as a global hub for artistic exchange while honoring the deep cultural knowledge of Indigenous communities. Organizers say additional details about the artists and public programming will be announced in the coming months.
