There are so many great events happening at Santa Fe Indian Market this year, August 16-21, 2016. Below is a complete schedule of the market, courtesy of the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts, so you can plan accordingly. For more information about Santa Fe Indian Market, go to swaia.org/indian_market.
TUE. AUGUST 16 – SUN. AUGUST 21
Native Cinema Showcase
Times vary | New Mexico History Museum | Free admission
In partnership with the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian, the History Museum and the SWAIA Santa Fe Indian Market present a week’s worth of the latest in Native documentaries, shorts and features during Indian Market.
The full list of daily films and times will be posted at americanindian.si.edu and swaia.org when it’s ready.
*Films that won the Indian Market Class X award will be shown on Friday, August 19. A special outdoor screening will take place at the Railyard Park on Saturday, August 20.
Seating is first-come, first-served for all screenings.
THU. AUGUST 18
Indian Market Edge Preview Reception
6:30-8pm | Santa Fe Community Convention Center | Buy tickets
Donors, sponsors, select artists, tribal leaders, and the media will gather for a reception to celebrate the start of the 2016 Indian Market. This reception will highlight Indian Market Edge, a contemporary art show that includes native artists and the galleries that represent them. Performing arts, fashion, music, light installations, wine tastings, and food round out this reception.
Indian Market 2016 Kick Off Party
8-11pm | Santa Fe Community Convention Center | Free admission
DJs, VJs, light installations, urban art battles, muralists, and performing arts, and dancing will officially launch Santa Fe Indian Market 2016.
FRI. AUGUST 19
Best of Show Ceremony and Luncheon
11:30am-2pm | Santa Fe Community Convention Center | Buy tickets
This exclusive event brings together the top award winning artists, their families, and the Indian Market community to announce and celebrate this year’s award-winning work. The event begins with the awards presentation followed by a celebratory luncheon for the Best of Show and Best of Classification winners. Award sponsors attend as well as those who want first look at all the award winning pieces.
Sneak and General Previews of Award-Winning Art
See the year’s award-winning pieces before they go on sale to the public (when Indian Market officially opens). Crowds of supporters clamor into the Convention Center to see the pieces before Indian Market officially opens. Attendees will also be able to see the contemporary component at Indian Market: Edge.
Sneak Preview: 5:30-7:30pm | Buy tickets
General Preview 7:30-9:30pm | Buy tickets
SAT. AUG. 20
95th Annual Santa Fe Indian Market on the Plaza
7am-5pm | Santa Fe Plaza | Free admission
The 95th Santa Fe Indian Market transforms the city of Santa Fe, with nearly 900 of the continent’s finest Native American artists showing their work in booths filling the main plaza and surrounding streets.
Market Stages Music & Dance Performances
9am-4pm | Plaza Bandstand and Cathedral Park
Music and performing arts fill the stages for visitors to augment their Indian Market experience.
Panel Discussions
9am-4pm | Plaza Bandstand and Cathedral Park
An ongoing component this year is a series of panel discussions in partnership with the Native American Rights Fund discussing topics such as art and activism, the Indian Arts and Crafts Act, and art as a political narrative.
Non-Profit Booths and Children’s Tent
9am-4pm | Plaza Bandstand and Cathedral Park
There are also the non-profit booths and the popular children’s tent, which hosts a variety of artistic activities for budding artists.
Fashion Show: Haute Couture and Prêt–à–Porter
1 pm | Santa Fe Community Convention Center | Free to stand/$10 for a seat
This is the third year of this already adored and highly attended event, featuring designers that have shown at fashion weeks including NY Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week, Mercedes Benz Fashion Week and more. Our native designers are putting forward cutting edge designs and accessories for showcase at Indian Market.
Live Auction and Gala
6pm | La Fonda on the Plaza | Buy tickets
One of the most glamorous and popular events of the Santa Fe Indian Market is the Live Auction Gala and Reception. Hosted by La Fonda, this fundraiser for the Southwestern Association of Indian Arts (SWAIA), the organization that produces the Indian Market, begins with a silent auction and cocktail reception at the hotel’s La Terraza. The evening culminates with the exciting Live Auction Gala and dinner in the Lumpkins Ballroom. Tickets and full tables of 10 are now available and seating is limited. For an early glimpse of Live Auction items available at the Gala, please attend the Friday night Best of Show previews at the convention center or see our website.
SUN. AUG. 21
95th Annual Santa Fe Indian Market on the Plaza (Day 2)
8am-5pm | Santa Fe Plaza | Free admission
Day two of the 95th Santa Fe Indian Market.
Fashion Challenge/Native American Clothing Contest
9am-12pm | Santa Fe Plaza main stage | Free admission
The Native American Clothing Contest is one of the most beloved events at the Santa Fe Indian Market. The contest includes a variety of categories for traditional and contemporary Native fashions, for both children and adults.
Market Stages Music & Dance Performances
9am-4pm | Plaza Bandstand and Cathedral Park | Free admission
Music and performing arts fill the stages for visitors to augment their Indian Market experience.
Panel Discussions
9am-4pm | Plaza Bandstand and Cathedral Park | Free admission
An ongoing component this year is a series of panel discussions in partnership with the Native American Rights Fund discussing topics such as art and activism, the Indian Arts and Crafts Act, and art as a political narrative.
Non-Profit Booths and Children’s Tent
9am-4pm | Plaza Bandstand and Cathedral Park | Free admission
There are also the non-profit booths and the popular children’s tent, which hosts a variety of artistic activities for budding artists.
A New Mexican Perspective
This year was such a high quality, INCREDIBLE Indian market! Don’t miss it.