Santa Fe Indian Market


The Santa Fe Indian Market is an annual art market held in Santa Fe, New Mexico on the weekend following the third Thursday in August. The event draws an estimated 150,000 people to the city from around the world. The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts organizes the market, showcasing work from 1,200 of the top Native American artists from tribes across the country.

History

Indian Market was organized by Kenneth Chapman in 1922 as part of an expanded Fiesta de Santa Fe sponsored by the Museum of New Mexico. In 1936, the New Mexico Association on Indian Affairs took over the event. Today, the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts organizes the market.

Featured art

The market features pottery, jewelry, textile weavings, painting, sculpture, beadwork, basketry, and other traditional and contemporary work. It is the oldest and largest juried Native American art showcase in the world. The economic impact of the Market has been calculated at more than $19 million.

Authenticity standards for featured artists

Artists display their work in booths around the Santa Fe Plaza and adjacent streets, selling directly to the general public. In order to participate, all artists must provide proof of enrollment in one of the federally recognized tribes, and their work must meet strict quality and authentic materials standards. Art experts judge the work and distribute awards and prize money in various categories. On the evening before the Market's opening, members of SWAIA may attend a preview of representative works by the artists as well as the winners in each category. It is a way for potential buyers to preview the winning artworks and items for sale. Many buyers make a point of arriving downtown very early in the morning, and it is not unusual to find artists having sold out within a few hours.