UAS, the Institute of American Indian Arts and Sealaska Heritage Institute strengthen Northwest Coast arts partnership with new agreement

Memorandum of agreement renews shared commitment to Northwest Coast arts.

Juneau, Alaska and Santa Fe, N.M.

Date of Press Release: January 29, 2026

The University of Alaska Southeast has signed a memorandum of agreement with the Institute of American Indian Arts and Sealaska Heritage Institute, renewing a shared commitment to the perpetuation and continued evolution of Northwest Coast arts.

The agreement seeks to provide formal educational opportunities for artists leading to certificates, associate degrees and bachelor’s degrees, and ensure that Northwest Coast art cultural protocols are recognized. It updates the original 2019 agreement to further enhance collaboration among the three entities.

“This partnership honors Indigenous creativity and deepens our shared responsibility to sustain living traditions,” said Institute of American Indian Arts President Shelly C. Lowe, Ph.D. (Navajo). “By linking our programs and resources, we create new opportunities for students and artists across Alaska and the nation.”

The agreement outlines pathways for learners of all ages–visiting art scholars and professorships, student exchanges and internships, art and professional development workshops, and youth programming. Exchanges will begin in the spring of 2027, bringing new visitors to UAS and creating opportunities for professors, students and artists from Alaska to travel to Santa Fe to expand their knowledge of Northwest Coast and American Indian art.

"The beauty of this agreement among our three organizations is reflected in the richness of the opportunities that we can continue to offer students, faculty, and artists,” said University of Alaska Southeast Chancellor Aparna Palmer, Ph.D. “By joining hands, we can do more to help Northwest Coast Arts flourish both now and long into the future. We are honored to be part of this collaboration."

In addition to developing programs, courses and exchanges, the partners will collaborate on grant proposals, sponsor programming, share cultural expertise, and celebrate one another’s work and achievements.

“We have collaborated with IAIA and UAS since 2016, and it has been an incredible strategic partnership that has benefitted our students and Northwest Coast art,” said SHI President Rosita Kaaháni Worl, Ph.D., who is Tlingit of the Eagle moiety, Shangukeidí (Thunderbird) clan. “We look forward to working with these institutions for many years to come.”